The association between COVID-19 preventive behaviors and mental health conditions.

Background: An unintended consequence of COVID-19 quarantine preventive measures, is the increased prevalence of anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between COVID-19 preventive behaviors and mental health conditions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data collected weekly from US adults aged 18 and older nationwide as part of the COVID-19 Household Impact Survey (CIS) from the University of Chicago.

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors.

COVID-19 remains a public health emergency with prevention guidelines and mitigation strategies being constantly updated to curb the rapid spread of the disease. Despite proven successes of recommended preventive behaviors, there is low uptake of wearing a mask, washing of hands, and social distancing in the United States (US). The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Associations of Social Network- and Individual-Level Factors with HIV Testing, Condom Use, and Interest in PrEP Among Young Black Women.

To achieve the 2030 goal of ending the HIV epidemic, we must consider social network- along with individual-level factors related to HIV prevention among young Black women (YBW). This cross-sectional study examined egocentric social network- and individual-level data of 180 YBW aged 18-24. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to study social network characteristics and individual sexual behaviors related to HIV prevention behaviors (e.

Correlates of intimate partner violence among adolescents in East Africa: a multi-country analysis.

Introduction: intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global concern not only among adults but also adolescents. It has been reported that 35% of adolescent women have ever experienced IPV - occuring more so in non-industrialized countries. This study sought to understand the correlates associated with experiencing IPV among adolescent women between the ages 15 and 24 in five East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Factors associated with HIV testing among women during pregnancy in Kenya: evidence from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014.

This study examined the factors affecting HIV testing among women during pregnancy while on ANC visits in Kenya, using the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data. The sample included 3,747 (weighted  = 36,626) pregnant women who gave birth in last two years. Survey-weighted bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed.

Using Friendship Ties to Understand the Prevalence of, and Factors Associated With, Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Kenya: Cross-Sectional, Respondent-Driven Survey Study.

Background: Optimization of innovative approaches is required for estimating the intimate partner violence (IPV) burden among adolescents and young adults (AYA). Further investigation is required to identify risk and protective factors associated with IPV among AYA. There remain significant gaps in understanding these factors among this vulnerable population.

Illicit drug use and sexually transmitted infections among young adults in the US: evidence from a nationally representative survey.

Young people aged 15-24 years account for half of all new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations of factors linked to STIs among US young adults (18-25 years). This study used the 2015-2018 pooled National Survey on Drug Use and Health data on 55,690 young adults.

Neonatal, infant, and child mortality among women exposed to intimate partner violence in East Africa: a multi-country analysis.

Background: Most neonatal, infant, and child deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) is highest in the world. Despite these facts, research regarding whether the two are associated is limited. The main objective was to examine associations between IPV amongst East African women and risk of death among their neonates, infants, and children, as well as related variables.

Association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

In Botswana, an estimated 350 000 people live with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS testing rates are low, suggesting that many other people remain undiagnosed. Stigma related to HIV/AIDS is prevalent and contributes to low testing rates and under-diagnosis of the virus.

Development and application of a rubric to compare strategies for improving access to health care in rural communities in the United States.

Unlabelled: Rural areas are underserved in terms of the availability of and access to health care services. According to Healthy People 2020, access to health care continues to be the most frequently identified rural health priority in the United States.

Purpose: The purpose was to develop an efficient approach for standardizing and prioritizing strategies to improve access to health care in rural areas across the United States.

Factors Associated with HIV Related Stigma among College Students in the Midwest.

In general, U.S. college students have low perceived susceptibility of acquiring HIV infection while 15-25 percent of youth have had negative perceptions towards HIV positive individuals.

The relationship between history of hormonal contraceptive use and iron status among women in Tanzania: A population-based study.

Objectives: Approximately 30% of the Tanzanian women in the reproductive age group are iron deficient. At population-level, there is a dearth of research on the relationship between hormonal contraceptive use and iron deficiency. The study objective was to examine the relationship between history of hormonal contraceptive use and iron status among women in Tanzania.

Association Between Risky Sexual Behavior and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Kenya: A Population-Based Study.

Women residing in Eastern Africa are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer. Previous studies have identified risky sexual behavior as a major risk factor for cervical cancer. However, population-based studies examining the relationship between sexual behavior and cervical cancer screening are currently lacking.

'If I went to my mom with that information, I'm dead': sexual health knowledge barriers among immigrant and refugee Somali young adults in Ohio.

Objectives: Adequate knowledge of sexual health among young adults is a critical step in prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and maintenance of adult sexual health. Knowledge of specific barriers to accessing sexual health knowledge can help tailor approaches appropriately. The purpose of this paper was to identify sexual health knowledge barriers among Somali young adults in Ohio.

Factors that can influence feelings towards and interactions with people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Central Kenya.

Background In Kenya, HIV incidence and prevalence have declined. HIV rates are lower in rural areas than in urban areas. However, HIV infection is reported higher in men in rural areas (4.

Recommendations for Developing Contextually Relevant HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies Targeting African-Born Immigrants and Refugees in the United States.

African-born immigrants and refugees have HIV infection rates six times higher than any other minority groups in the United States. Despite the increase in the population size and diversity of Somali immigrants and refugees in the United States, Somalis are one of the medically underserved population subgroups in this region. The lack of aggregate HIV infection rates among African-born immigrants, for example, Somali refugees, is a cause for alarm and calls for more research to be conducted in this subgroup.

Depression symptoms, social support and overall health among HIV-positive individuals in Kenya.

In Kenya, there was a reported decline in HIV incidence and prevalence among those aged 15 to 64 years and children. Despite the decline, closer assessment of psychosocial issues like depression, contextual factors (family and community), and social support is necessary given the likely impact on overall health and HIV prevention. This paper examines an association between symptoms of depression and social support on overall health among HIV-positive participants recruited from an HIV clinic in Kenya.

Psychometric evaluation of a cross-culturally adapted felt stigma questionnaire among people living with HIV in Kenya.

Psychometric properties of an 18-item HIV felt stigma questionnaire were evaluated utilizing data collected from a diverse ethnic and socioeconomic group of 370 people living with HIV/AIDS and receiving HIV/AIDS-related health services at an HIV clinic in Kenya. Factor analyses revealed a four factor solution (public attitudes, ostracize, discrimination, personal life disrupted) based on the Scree plot with explained variance of 44% that had Eigen values greater than 1.00.

Impact of internalized stigma on HIV prevention behaviors among HIV-infected individuals seeking HIV care in Kenya.

In general, an initial diagnosis of HIV is likely to be correlated with the onset of HIV stigma. HIV-positive individuals are likely to internalize stigma, may suffer from psychosocial issues, or engage in maladaptive behaviors to cope with the diagnosis. Internalized stigma stems from fear of stigmatization also known as felt stigma.