Safer Sexual Practices and HIV Screening Behavior among Rural California American Indians

This paper reports on safer sexual practices and HIV screening behavior among rural California American Indians. Thirteen Indian health clinic registries formed the random household survey sampling frame (N=457). Measures included socio-demographics, safer sexual practices, HIV testing, high-risk behaviors, perception of wellness, general health status, neglect, physical and sexual abuse history. Statistical tests included chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis. Respondents who practiced safer sex were younger, not married, reported lower annual income, changed sexual behavior in the last 12 months, were not in a monogamous relationship, and had a higher perception of wellness. Those who were tested for HIV were younger, had at least a high school education, consumed alcohol, had significantly higher suicide ideation and attempts, changed their sexual behavior in the last 12 months, and reported a history of sexual abuse as a child and adult. Very little is known about HIV prevention and screening behaviors in rural American Indian populations. Identifying predictors of unsafe sexual practices and non-HIV testing tendencies help to plan for measures to protect the population from this devastating disease. We make recommendations for implementing HIV prevention education and screenings at American Indian clinics

Phytoremediation Strategies of Some Plants under Heavy Metal Stress

Environments are polluted with heavy metals across the world because of increase in industrial garbage and sewage. Plants which are grow in polluted areas shows a reduction in growth, performance, productivity. Heavy metals affect physiological and biological process of plants. Heavy metals show metallic properties which are very harmful to the plants. Accumulation of heavy metals in plants through root are caused root malformation reduction in biomass and seed production, decrease in chlorophyll-aand carotenoid content. Phytoremediation is a natural biological process through which plants remove, detoxify or immobilise environmental heavy metals in a growth matrix

Predictors of Hepatitis Knowledge Improvement Among Methadone Maintained Clients Enrolled in a Hepatitis Intervention Program

This randomized, controlled study (n = 256) was conducted to compare three interventions designed to promote hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination completion, among clients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The participants were randomized into three groups: Motivational Interviewing-Single Session (MI-Single), Motivational Interviewing-Group (MI-Group), or Nurse-Led Hepatitis Health Promotion (HHP). All three treatment groups received the 3-series HAV/HBV vaccine. The MI sessions were provided by trained therapists, the Nurse-Led HHP sessions were delivered by a research nurse. The main outcome variable of interest was improvement in HBV and HCV knowledge, measured by a 6-item HBV and a 7-item HCV knowledge and attitude tool that was administered at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. The study results showed that there was a significant increase in HBV- and HCV-related knowledge across all three groups (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences found with respect to knowledge acquisition among the groups. Irrespective of treatment group, gender (P = 0.008), study site (P < 0.0001) and whether a participant was abused as a child (P = 0.017) were all found to be predictors of HCV knowledge improvement; only recruitment site (P < 0.0001) was found to be a predictor of HBV knowledge. The authors concluded that, although MI-Single, MI-Group and Nurse-Led HHP are all effective in promoting HBV and HCV knowledge acquisition among MMT clients, Nurse-Led HHP may be the method of choice for this population as it may be easier to integrate and with additional investigation may prove to be more cost efficient

Extent of Documented Adherence to Recommended Prenatal Care Content: Provider Site Differences and Effect on Outcomes Among Low-Income Women

Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between prenatal care (PNC) provider site and the extent of documented adherence to recommended PNC content, and the relationship between adherence to recommended PNC content and adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in Illinois’ Medical Assistance Program (MA). Methods: Utilizing the medical record, MA claims, and birth certificate data of 374 women who gave birth in 2003 and 2004 in four high-risk communities in Chicago, crude and adjusted analyses of the relationship between provider site and the extent of documented adherence to PNC content, and between adherence to PNC content and the incidence of low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) were conducted. The extent of documented adherence to recommended PNC content was measured from medical records as the percentage of 19 components of standard obstetrical practice that were delivered during pregnancy, converted to a three level categorical variable (low - 50%, medium - 50-79% and high - 80% or greater). Results: The majority of women had less than 80% of the recommended PNC content documented in their medical records. Among high-risk women, a greater proportion of women served by hospitals received care in which the extent of documented adherence was high (>=80%) compared to women served by physicians’offices and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) (p<0.05). Among low-risk women, a greater proportion of women served by FQHCs received care in which the extent of documented adherence was high compared to women served by physician’s offices and hospitals (p<0.10). Lower adherence to PNC content was significantly associated with LBW and PTB among women receiving prenatal care from physicians. Conclusions: Examination of the extent of adherence to recommended PNC content and its relationship to adverse pregnancy outcomes provides valuable data to inform potential interventions. In particular, a relationship between adherence to recommended PNC content and LBW and PTB among women receiving PNC at physicians’ offices suggests the importance of increased quality assurance and provider education efforts

Predictors of Hepatitis Knowledge Improvement Among Methadone Maintained Clients Enrolled in a Hepatitis Intervention Program

This randomized, controlled study (n = 256) was conducted to compare three interventions designed to promote hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination completion, among clients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The participants were randomized into three groups: Motivational Interviewing-Single Session (MI-Single), Motivational Interviewing-Group (MI-Group), or Nurse-Led Hepatitis Health Promotion (HHP). All three treatment groups received the 3-series HAV/HBV vaccine. The MI sessions were provided by trained therapists, the Nurse-Led HHP sessions were delivered by a research nurse. The main outcome variable of interest was improvement in HBV and HCV knowledge, measured by a 6-item HBV and a 7-item HCV knowledge and attitude tool that was administered at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. The study results showed that there was a significant increase in HBV- and HCV-related knowledge across all three groups (p &lt; 0.0001). There were no significant differences found with respect to knowledge acquisition among the groups. Irrespective of treatment group, gender (P = 0.008), study site (P &lt; 0.0001) and whether a participant was abused as a child (P = 0.017) were all found to be predictors of HCV knowledge improvement; only recruitment site (P &lt; 0.0001) was found to be a predictor of HBV knowledge. The authors concluded that, although MI-Single, MI-Group and Nurse-Led HHP are all effective in promoting HBV and HCV knowledge acquisition among MMT clients, Nurse-Led HHP may be the method of choice for this population as it may be easier to integrate and with additional investigation may prove to be more cost efficient

Correlates of heavy smoking among alcohol-using methadone maintenance clients.

This cross-sectional study examines predictors of heavy smoking among 256 male and female methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) clients from five MMT clinics in the Los Angeles area. The authors find that women report lower rates of heavy smoking than men (47% vs. 54%, respectively), in concordance with current literature pointing to gender differences in smoking behaviors. In particular, men who report heavy drinking, fair or poor health, and recent heroin use are more likely to report heavy smoking compared with men not reporting these factors. Women who report recent heroin use, a lifetime history of sex trade, and who have been ill enough to require a blood transfusion also have greater odds of reporting heavy cigarette smoking. Findings from this study may aid not only in designing gender-based smoking cessation programs for MMT clients but also in addressing the gender-based issues related to smoking in such a population

Correlates of adult assault among homeless women.

The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of sexual and physical assault among homeless women. A multivariate, correlation design was utilized to identify independent correlates of adult physical and sexual assault. The sample consisted of 202 homeless women residing in shelters or living on the street in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. Respondents reporting a history of child sexual abuse were almost four times more likely to report being sexually assaulted as adults and were almost two and one third times more likely to report being physically assaulted as adults. A range of factors increase homeless women's risk of adult physical and sexual victimization, including child sexual abuse, substance use, lifetime sex trade activity, and previous incarceration. It is important for homeless service providers to develop an individual risk profile for homeless women and to intervene in order to decrease their risk of re-victimization

Correlates of adult assault among homeless women.

The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of sexual and physical assault among homeless women. A multivariate, correlation design was utilized to identify independent correlates of adult physical and sexual assault. The sample consisted of 202 homeless women residing in shelters or living on the street in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. Respondents reporting a history of child sexual abuse were almost four times more likely to report being sexually assaulted as adults and were almost two and one third times more likely to report being physically assaulted as adults. A range of factors increase homeless women's risk of adult physical and sexual victimization, including child sexual abuse, substance use, lifetime sex trade activity, and previous incarceration. It is important for homeless service providers to develop an individual risk profile for homeless women and to intervene in order to decrease their risk of re-victimization

Correlates of heavy smoking among alcohol-using methadone maintenance clients.

This cross-sectional study examines predictors of heavy smoking among 256 male and female methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) clients from five MMT clinics in the Los Angeles area. The authors find that women report lower rates of heavy smoking than men (47% vs. 54%, respectively), in concordance with current literature pointing to gender differences in smoking behaviors. In particular, men who report heavy drinking, fair or poor health, and recent heroin use are more likely to report heavy smoking compared with men not reporting these factors. Women who report recent heroin use, a lifetime history of sex trade, and who have been ill enough to require a blood transfusion also have greater odds of reporting heavy cigarette smoking. Findings from this study may aid not only in designing gender-based smoking cessation programs for MMT clients but also in addressing the gender-based issues related to smoking in such a population