Browsing by Subject "AIDS (Disease)"

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Are HIV prevention programs effective in addressing rising HIV/AIDS rates among Central Asian labor migrants?
(2011-05) Fleming, Thomas Rolland; Neuburger, Mary, 1966-; Weinreb, Alexander
Within the last ten years HIV rates in Central Asia have more than quadrupled amongst the general population. Labor migrants from the region who are working in Russia are considered at high risk of HIV infection due to risky sexual practices. Similar behavior has been documented among labor migrants in sub Saharan Africa. By reviewing medical data and literature written by international health professionals in both regions, I analyze the chain of sexual contact of labor migrants within female partners that contribute to the spread of HIV from Russia to the general population within Central Asia. I use Tajikistan as a case study. The findings of this study recommend that existing behavior modification strategies need to recognize existing gender structures when addressing at risk populations. They must also emphasize collaboration with community religious leaders and civil society organizations to promote effective and appropriate HIV/AIDS education efforts in order to curb the growing prevalence rates among male labor migrants in Central Asia.
Pharmaceutical governance in Brazil : globalization, institutions and AIDS
(2010-12) Flynn, Matthew Brian; Roberts, Bryan R., 1939-; Buckley, Cynthia J.; Ward, Peter; Ugalde, Antonio; Charrad, Mounira; Wilson, Robert
The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents one of the biggest challenges facing today's globalized world. Meanwhile, transnational drug companies have strengthened their market positions in developing countries as a result of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (or TRIPS). Patent protection provided by TRIPS has led to higher prices and reduced access to essential medicines. Low- and middle-income countries are under increased pressure to provide expensive life-saving medicines to their citizens. Brazil's AIDS program is deemed successful in reducing morbidity and mortality rates through universal provision of free AIDS medicines. The program's sustainability came under threat as the result of TRIPS, pressures by transnational corporations, and trade threats by the US government. The research question that drove my dissertation centered on the impact of these threats on policy space available to Brazilian government to sustain its universal social program. How has the incorporation of patent protections for drugs affected the ability of local firms to develop pharmaceutical technology and challenged states like Brazil to fulfill social democratic obligations? Under what conditions can a developing country challenge the interests of transnational drug companies? I employed mixed methods for gathering and analyzing data. These included ethnographic field techniques, content analysis, and archival research. My findings are threefold. First, TRIPS has increased the power of foreign firms to secure monopoly positions in Brazil’s drug markets and weakened Brazil's labs to quickly make generic copies of essential medicines. Second, policy space, though curtailed due to external pressures and treaty obligations, expanded through the development of symbolic power, or what I call "reputational dividends," based on a successful social program. Third, by adroitly marketing its banner AIDS program by employing human rights principles, health officials constructed a triple alliance between the state, local private drug manufacturers, and domestic activists tied into transnational advocacy networks. I employ institutional and power analyses to examine the changing sources of power for transnational capital, social movements, and state actors, as well as analyze the impact patent protection has on the ability of Brazilian firms to produce medicines locally. I posit that globalization results in the formation of strong domestic coalitions who are capable of exploiting the "reputational dividends" of a successful social program in order to contest transnational corporate power. This symbolic form of power appears particularly well-disposed for "middle-income" countries that lack the material forms of power held by a global hegemon or transnational corporations.
The relationship of health belief model variables, perceived self-efficacy, internal-external locus of control, and knowledge about AIDS to the practice of safer sex : a survey of community college students
(1990) Willis, Amy Catherine, 1953-; Richardson, Frank C.; Hanson, Gary R.
The purpose of this study was to explore relations between Health Belief Model variables (demographics, cues to action, seriousness, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers), perceived self-efficacy, internal-external locus of control, and knowledge about AIDS and the associated outcomes of practicing safer sex and intentions to practice safer sex. A questionnaire, comprised primarily of measures constructed by the author, was completed by 323 community college students. Seventy-one heterosexual subjects were identified as practicing safer sex. Results of a comparison of means indicated that heterosexuals currently practicing safer sex identified significantly greater benefits and fewer barriers to practicing safer sex, evidenced higher levels of perceived self-efficacy, and held a more internal locus of control than did sexually active heterosexuals not currently practicing safer sex. A discriminant function analysis predicted correct classification of 60% of all cases. In addition, both groups had a high level of knowledge about AIDS and indicated that they felt highly susceptible to AIDS, which they identified as a fairly serious disease. The only demographic variable which yielded significant results was marital status; that is, sexually active heterosexuals living alone perceived themselves to be somewhat more susceptible to AIDS than did those who were cohabiting. Comparable analyses were performed for intentions to practice safer sex. Heterosexual subjects who intend to practice safer sex were significantly more likely to feel susceptible to AIDS, identified greater benefits and fewer barriers to practicing safer sex, evidenced higher levels of perceived self-efficacy, and were more knowledgeable about AIDS than those subjects who did not intend to practice safer sex. For this comparison of means, internal-external locus of control and seriousness of AIDS were not significant. When a discriminant function analysis was performed utilizing all seven variables, locus of control entered into the equation and benefits dropped out. Correct classification of 73.8% of all cases was predicted. One of the cues to action, having AIDS discussed in a college class, was significantly related to intentions to practice safer sex. Other supplementary analyses are reported. Discussion of these results, limitations of the study, and implications for future research are presented
El SIDA en la prensa escrita argentina
(2003-10) Kornblit, Ana Lía; Beltramino, Fabián; Jones, Daniel; Pérez, Germán; Verardi, Malena