Baseline and primary data for the partner-provided HIV self-testing and linkage (PASTAL) adaptive multi-arm multi-stage cluster randomized trial in Blantyre, Malawi

Dataset containing details of 2,349 pregnant women accessing antenatal care in three primary health centres in urban Blantyre, Malawi who gave informed consent to participate in an adaptive multi-arm multi-stage cluster randomized trial. The unit of randomization was the antenatal care (ANC) clinic day. On a given ANC day, women could receive standard of care (SOC) of receiving just an invitation letter to deliver to their male partner who was absent at this ANC visit. Or, the women could receive SOC plus two oral self-test kits alone or in combination with a guaranteed financial incentive of $3 or$10 conditional on clinic attendance following self-testing for HIV care or prevention. Two other arms offered a lottery-based incentive with 10% chance of winning $30 to male partners achieving the primary outcome, or a phone call reminder to the male partner immediately following collection of kits by the woman repeated after five days. The dataset contains variables on baseline data for the women and their male partners as reported by the woman as well as data underlying the trial outcomes by arm. Recruitment and follow-up were completed between 8 August 2016 and 30 June 2017

Factors affecting recidivism at a transitional shelter for the homeless

This thesis examines factors affecting recidivism (shelter reentry) among two-parent households, female-headed households, and single women, through a study of selected households utilizing a transitional shelter for the homeless in Las Vegas, Nevada. The paper touches on the history of homelessness in America, and explores some of the factors related to the increase in homelessness on the national and local level. It examines the shelter system---in particular, the provision of transitional shelter---as the primary intervention designed to return individuals and families to self-sufficiency. The study found that the three household types did not differ significantly in terms of recidivism. However, the groups evidenced significant differences in a number of factors that have been tied to recidivism. The paper concludes with suggestions for policy and practice in light of the research findings

The Influence of Mentoring on Developing Leaders: Participants Share Their Perspectives

In an age of continuous and rapid change, today’s school superintendents face a litany of unique challenges as they lead individuals and organizations through tumultuous and unpredictable times

Initial Accuracy of HIV Rapid Test Kits Stored in Suboptimal Conditions and Validity of Delayed Reading of Oral Fluid Tests

An anonymised dataset produced as part of a study on initial accuracy of commonly used HIV rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) when stored in suboptimal conditions and the validity of delayed reading of OraQuick oral fluid tests. It contains HIV results for each RDT, age, sex, previous testing data and an indication of whether or not there was a change in the reading of OraQuick oral RDT over the 12 month period of re-reading. It may be used to validate results related to analysis of sensitivity and specificity of each sub-optimally-stored test kit compared with optimally stored Determine and Uni-Gold conducted in parallel

A Cultural Resources Survey for Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., in Uvalde, Medina, and Frio Counties, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), under contract with Alexander Utility Engineering, Inc., (letter dated May 5, 1980), conducted an archaeological survey for the Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc. Although the CAR was contracted in May 1980, at the request of Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., the actual survey was not carried out until February 25-March 1, 1981. The survey, which was conducted in three neighboring south Texas counties (Fig. 1), was concentrated along proposed electrical distribution lines at D1Hanis in Medina County, north of Uvalde in Uvalde County, and southwest of Pearsall in Frio County. General supervision of the project was provided by Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director, and Jack D. Eaton, Associate Director, of the CAR-UTSA. The project was carried out by Augustine and Elizabeth Frkuska, Center staff archaeologists

Outcomes and Characteristics of Large Vessel Occlusion Patients in a Multi-Hospital System with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≤ 5 Treated with Endovascular Thrombectomy vs Medical Management

https://digitalcommons.psjhealth.org/other_pubs/1067/thumbnail.jp

Scaling up HIV self-testing in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of technology, policy and evidence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: HIV self-testing (HIVST) can provide complementary coverage to existing HIV testing services and improve knowledge of status among HIV-infected individuals. This review summarizes the current technology, policy and evidence landscape in sub-Saharan Africa and priorities within a rapidly evolving field. RECENT FINDINGS: HIVST is moving towards scaled implementation, with the release of WHO guidelines, WHO prequalification of the first HIVST product, price reductions of HIVST products and a growing product pipeline. Multicountry evidence from southern and eastern Africa confirms high feasibility, acceptability and accuracy across many delivery models and populations, with minimal harms. Evidence on the effectiveness of HIVST on increased testing coverage is strong, while evidence on demand generation for follow-on HIV prevention and treatment services and cost-effective delivery is emerging. Despite these developments, HIVST delivery remains limited outside of pilot implementation. SUMMARY: Important technology gaps include increasing availability of more sensitive HIVST products in low and middle-income countries. Regulatory and postmarket surveillance systems for HIVST also require further development. Randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness under multiple distribution models, including unrestricted delivery and with a focus on linkage to HIV prevention and treatment, remain priorities. Diversification of studies from west and central Africa and around blood-based products should be addressed

Corneoscleral laceration and ocular burns caused by electronic cigarette explosions

PURPOSE: To report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions. METHODS: Case series. RESULTS: We describe a series of patients with corneal injury caused by EC explosions. Both patients suffered bilateral corneal burns and decreased visual acuity, and one patient sustained a unilateral corneoscleral laceration with prolapsed iris tissue and hyphema. A review of the scientific literature revealed no prior reported cases of ocular injury secondary to EC explosions; however, multiple media and government agency articles describe fires and explosions involving ECs, including at least 4 with ocular injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Given these cases and the number of recent media reports, ECs pose a significant public health risk. Users should be warned regarding the possibility of severe injury, including sight-threatening ocular injuries ranging from corneal burns to full-thickness corneoscleral laceration

An Initial Archaeological Assessment of John James Park, City of San Antonio, Texas

In January, 1977, the City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation (Ronald L. Darner, Director) and the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio (Thomas R. Hester, Director), entered into a contract for the archaeological assessment of John James Park. The park property (Fig. 1), is located just north of Fort Sam Houston, and the eastern boundary fronts on Salado Creek, a major tributary of the San Antonio River. The field survey was carried out under the general supervision of Dr. Thomas R. Hester and Mr. Jack D. Eaton, with the field crew consisting of Elizabeth Cantu Frkuska, Augustine J. Frkuska and Fred Valdez, Jr. The goal of this initial survey was to provide an assessment of archaeological or historical resources that might be present within the confines of the park, and, if such resources were found, to record and evaluate them

Archaeological Test Excavations at 41MV57: The Seco Mines Project, Maverick County, Texas

In mid-February, 1977, an archaeological field team from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted investigations at prehistoric site 41 MV 57 in Maverick County, Texas. The site is located along a tributary of Seco Creek and is to be modified by the installation of a sewage collection system (the Seco Mines Project)