HEALTHCARE SERVICE ACCESS, SEXUAL AGGRESSION EXPERIENCES, AND HIV-RELATED RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG PUERTO RICAN FEMALE INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, School of Public Health, 2015Female Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) face numerous unique health risks and challenges, yet their singular experiences are rarely captured in research given how difficult these populations can be to reach. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the HIV-related sexual and drug use behaviors of, and to assess the experiences of access to healthcare services and of sexual aggression among female IDUs in Puerto Rico. In collaboration with community based and government organizations that provide drug outreach programs and addiction treatment services in Puerto Rico, a mixed-methods study, utilizing a transformative theoretical perspective, was completed utilizing surveys and semi-structured interviews as methods of inquiry. Ninety women who reported IDU within the last 12 months and who received services from one of the study recruitment venues were recruited to participate in the survey portion of the study. Additionally, 35 women who had previously completed the survey completed semi-structured interviews. Measures included sociodemographic characteristics, drug use, most recent/lifetime sexual behavior history, experiences of sexual violence, and access to and utilization of healthcare services, in addition to experiences seeking sexual health information. Data presented in this dissertation are explored in two manuscripts that address: 1) what sexual and drug use behaviors are most prevalent in this population; and 2) what Puerto Rican female IDU's experiences are when seeking healthcare services and sexual health information, and what barriers are present for them in doing so. Findings provide a number of implications and considerations for future research and programs targeting female IDUs in Puerto Rico. Results suggest the need for a variety of services, including educational sexual health promotion interventions with a particular focus on how to access sexual health information and sexual violence counseling, as well as the inclusion of prevention interventions as part of existing drug treatment programs. Additionally, interventions that facilitate access and utilization of healthcare services, as well as measures to reduce stigma towards female IDUs on the island, should be explored

Caracterización de donantes voluntarios de sangre por grupo sanguíneo A B O y Rh que asistieron a un banco de sangre de la ciudad de Tunja- Colombia

6 páginasBackground: The frequency of ABO blood group and Rh factor is an important factor in relation to the needs of blood components in the population, identifying a routine in blood banks. Materials and methods: A retrospective, cross sectional, descriptive study was per formed, period from January to March 2012 with data provided by the Foundation from Colombia Hematological volunteer blood donors who attended a fixed point of blood collection in the city of Tunja - Colombia. The variables analyzed were age, gender, and Rh blood group ABO. Results: The study population consisted of volunteer donors 1678 the average age of 28,29 years, 53,3% (n = 894), 62,9% of the population belongs to the group O, there was higher proportion of positive versus negative Rh (94,9 vs 5,1 ), blood type O positive, 32% (n = 532) of the total population. Discussion: The group O and A are predominant in the study population, similar to behavior reported in the literature loa, just as the Rh negative.Objetivo: La frecuencia de grupo sanguíneo ABO y factor Rh es un factor importante en relación a las necesidades de los componentes sanguíneos en la población, la identificación un procedimiento de rutina en los bancos de sangre. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de corte trasversal descriptivo, periodo entre enero a marzo de 2012 con datos proporcionados por la Fundación Hematológica Colombia provenientes de donantes voluntarios de sangre que asistieron a un punto fijo de recolección de sangre de la ciudad de Tunja – Colombia. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, género, factor Rh y grupo sanguíneo ABO. Resultados: La población de estudio estuvo conformada por 1678 donantes voluntarios la edad promedio de 28,29 años, el 53,3 % (n=894), 62,9% de la población pertenece al grupo O, se encontró mayor proporción de Rh positivo frente al negativo (94,9 vs 5,1), el tipo de sangre O positivo es el 32% (n=532) del total de la población. Conclusiones: El grupo O y A son los que predominan en la población de estudio, comportamiento similar a loa reportado en la literatura, de igual manera el Rh negativo

Tratamiento clínico-quirúrgico en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson, sus riesgos y beneficios

La Enfermedad de Parkinson es la segunda enfermedad neurodegenerativa con mayor prevalencia en el mundo y actualmente no tiene cura, pero se puede controlar eficazmente. Por lo tanto, el tratamiento de la enfermedad tanto el clínico como el quirúrgico se encuentra dirigido únicamente a mejorar los síntomas derivados de la pérdida y muerte neuronal. Para la realización de esta revisión se tuvo como objetivo general describir los riesgos-beneficios en la utilización del tratamiento clínico y quirúrgico del Parkinson.  Se utilizaron un total de 15 bibliografías entre ellas artículos de alto impacto a nivel nacional e internacional. Se concluye que el tratamiento farmacológico más exitoso lo constituye el uso de la levodopa porque permite el reemplazo de la dopamina faltante. Aunque su uso prolongado a causa la aparición de efectos indeseables por lo que es necesario utilizar como alternativa del tratamiento quirúrgico para lograr un bienestar mantenido en el tiempo

Prevalencia de maloclusiones y hábitos bucales deformantes en escolares de seis a 11 años en la escuela primaria Clodomira Acosta. Güines, Mayabeque, Cuba

Introducción: las maloclusiones constituyen la tercera mayor prevalencia entre las enfermedades bucales. A los 6 años de edad, comienza la dentición mixta temprana, período de particular importancia en la causa de las anomalías de la oclusión. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de maloclusiones y hábitos bucales deformantes en escolares de seis a 11 años en la escuela primaria Clodomira Acosta. Güines, Mayabeque, Cuba.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, de enero a abril del año 2023. El universo estudiado estuvo constituido por 320 niños con maloclusión de 6 a 11 años, de ambos sexos. Se excluyeron de la investigación los escolares que tuvieran problemas de comunicación. Resultados: del total de niños examinados 156 pertenecían al grupo etario de 6-9 años y 163 de 10-11 años. Se constató que el hábito bucal deformante que predominó fue el empuje lingual en ambos rangos de edades representando el 23,60 % del total. Según grupos de edad existió un predominio del resalte aumentado con un 56,90 % seguido de la vestibuloversión en los niños de 6 a 9 años de edad con un 55,70 %. Conclusiones: se evidencia una elevada prevalencia de maloclusiones, siendo la más frecuente la vestibuloversión

Sexual Behaviors, Experiences of Sexual Violence, and Substance Use among Women Who inject Drugs: Accessing Health and Prevention Services in Puerto Rico

Objective: People who inject drugs (PWID) face numerous gender-specific health risks, which increase their susceptibility to adverse outcomes, including violence. There is a need for research on female PWID to capture their unique experiences and understand behavioral and gender-based differences. This study aimed to understand which drug use and sexual behaviors are the most prevalent among female PWID accessing health services in Puerto Rico and to gather preliminary information on those individuals’ experiences of sexual violence. Methods: Utilizing a transformative theoretical perspective, a mixed-methods study was conducted with a sample of 90 Puerto Rican women who reported recent (past 12 months) injection drug use (IDU) This manuscript focused on Phase 1, in which participants completed an interviewer-administered survey eliciting information about sexual behaviors, drug use, experiences of sexual violence, and access to healthcare services. Phase 2 involved an in-depth interview focused on sexual health and access to healthcare services. Results: Female PWID were found to engage in a variety of sexual behaviors throughout their lifespans and at their most recent sexual events. There were significant differences across age groups for participants, those being time of most recent sexual event (p = 0.007), partner’s sex (p = 0.039), relationship with partner (p = 0.023), contraception method used (p = 0.057), and reports of partner orgasm (p = 0.055). Over half of all participants reported having experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Conclusion: This study extends the literature on PWID in Puerto Rico by underscoring the diversity of female PWID sexual experiences and needs while illustrating how those experiences are often mediated by drug use. The findings highlight the need for further research on female PWID in Puerto Rico to better develop programs that include sexual violence prevention as part of future interventions for this population