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Biomedical subjects

K Ford

Publications and source records attributed to K Ford.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Behavioral interventions for reduction of sexually transmitted disease/HIV transmission among female commercial sex workers and clients in Bali, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a behavioral intervention targeted to low-price female commercial sex workers (CSW) in large brothel complexes, their pimps, and their male clients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fieldwork was conducted during 1994 in Bali, Indonesia. Intervention activities included an education program for CSW, pimp training, condom sales and distribution, and client media. Theoretical perspectives guiding the intervention were the Health Belief Model and social cognitive theory. Baseline and evaluation surveys were conducted to evaluate the intervention. RESULTS: Both AIDS and sexually transmitted disease (STD) knowledge increased significantly over the intervention period. Condom use for vaginal sex with paid partners the day before the interview increased substantially in the two intervention areas: 18-75% and 29-62%. Condom use also increased in the control area, although the difference between baseline and evaluation measures was smaller. Multivariate analyses indicated that programmatic factors such as attendance at education sessions and reading the project brochure were related to condom use. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing community knowledge and awareness among low-price CSW, pimps, and clients regarding AIDS and STD using trained outreach workers is feasible and effective. In summary, this study has documented the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention for CSW and their clients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Two-stage procedure for evaluating interassay carryover on random-access instruments.

A two-stage statistical procedure based on Dunnett's multiple comparison procedures with a control has been developed for detecting interassay carryover biases on the Abbott AxSYM(TM) System, a random- and continuous-access immunoanalyzer. With this procedure, every potential source of interassay carryover can be tested and estimated. In minimizing required sample sizes, the first stage is used primarily to detect and eliminate from further testing the assay reagent sources that do not cause carryover biases and the assay sources that cause very large carryover biases. Retested more extensively in the second testing stage are the cases where the data from the first testing stage are insufficient for judgment. An example data set from the Abbott AxSYM Free T4 assay is used to illustrate the methodology.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1995

AIDS knowledge, risk behaviors, and condom use among four groups of female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia.

The objectives of this study were to discover the AIDS knowledge, risk behaviors, and condom use of four groups of female professional sex workers (n = 614). Personal interviews were conducted with women working in low-price brothels, mid-price and high-price houses, and tourist areas. Only 51% of women in the low-price brothels had heard of AIDs, although most of the women in the other groups had heard of it. Knowledge of transmission and symptoms was weak in all groups, and most women were unaware of asymptomatic transmission. Most women felt safe from HIV due to ineffective strategies such as taking medications or client selection practices. Condom use with clients varied widely by group. Women in the low-price brothels reported the lowest levels of use (19% of encounters in the previous week), with women from the mid- and high-price groups reporting higher levels (68% mid-price; 71% high-price). Women working in the tourist areas reported the highest levels of use (90%). Interventions for each group need to reflect these differences in knowledge as well as the contexts of their work; important contextual factors to consider include the level of AIDS and STD knowledge in their environment, the characteristics of the clients served, and the degree of supervision that they receive.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors among domestic clients of female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia.

This study investigated AIDS and STD knowledge, risk behaviors and condom use among clients of female commercial sex workers in Bali, Indonesia. Although these clients were varied in their socioeconomic status, they all tended to have low levels of knowledge concerning HIV and STD transmission and prevention, multiple sexual partners, low frequencies of condom use with these partners, and experienced frequent STDs. Although HIV sero-prevalence rates are currently low in Indonesia, clients of CSWs are at high risk of HIV transmission. Given their high mobility and frequent sexual encounters with CSWs in other parts of Indonesia, these men could well be agents of rapid spread of the virus throughout Indonesia. Interventions to prevent the spread of the HIV virus must be targeted not only to CSWs, but also to their clients. These interventions should include educational activities concerning AIDS and STD transmission and prevention, condom promotion, efforts to improve condom availability, and activities to strengthen the health sectors' STD diagnosis and treatment capabilities for both CSWs and their clients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

AIDS knowledge, risk behaviors, and factors related to condom use among male commercial sex workers and male tourist clients in Bali, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases (STD) knowledge and risk behaviors, and to determine factors related to condom use among male commercial sex workers (CSW) and male tourist clients in Bali, Indonesia. DESIGN: Individual survey interviews were conducted with a sample of 80 male CSW and 100 tourist clients in the Kuta area of Bali. METHODS: Survey interviews included detailed questions on AIDS/STD knowledge, sexual behavior, and psychosocial measures related to risk taking. RESULTS: Most of the male CSW had heard about AIDS and other STD, although some misconceptions about transmission and risks of different sexual practices remained. Both oral and anal intercourse with tourists were common and condom use was far from consistent. Factors related to condom use for anal intercourse with tourist clients were condom beliefs, self efficacy, susceptibility to STD infection, and STD knowledge. Tourist clients were mainly from Australia and Europe and many had paid for sex in other parts of Indonesia as well as in high prevalence countries. Knowledge of AIDS/STD was very good among the tourists and previous experience with STD was common. Factors related to condom use with male CSW were condom beliefs and self efficacy. CONCLUSION: There is a very active and mobile group of male CSW and tourist clients present in Bali. Interventions with these men are needed due to the low level of knowledge about AIDS among CSW, their experience with STD and STD symptoms, and their level of risky sexual behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

A comparison of five commercial thromboplastins: ISI re-evaluation on an automated coagulometer.

Five commercial rabbit brain thromboplastins were compared with an International Reference Preparation on an ACL coagulometer, using 90 patients stabilized on warfarin and 22 normal individuals. The prothrombin times were converted to INRs using the thromboplastin manufacturers' quoted ISI. The quoted ISIs were reassigned using orthogonal regression analysis and then used to recalculate INRs for patient and commercial INR control plasmas. This showed that the manufacturers' quoted ISIs and the INR control plasma results were inconsistent. With one thromboplastin the manufacturers quoted ISI changed from 1.17 to 1.05 whilst the control plasma results changed from an INR of 4.3 to an INR of 3.7 (manufacturer's INR, 3.3). In most routine laboratories ISI reassignment is not practical. We conclude that the availability of a reliable plasma calibrant is essential for the accurate calculation of INRs at a local level.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Factors related to condom use with casual partners among urban African-American and Hispanic males.

Constructs from the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action were tested for their relationship to condom use with casual partners in a probability sample of urban African-American and Hispanic males aged 15-24. The results indicate the importance of 1) promoting a sense of male responsibility regarding condom use; 2) promoting the belief that condoms should be used with all partners; 3) developing skills for condom use and partner communication; and 4) increasing perceived susceptibility to HIV infection in design of intervention programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Component analysis and characterization of a nuclear deoxyribonucleotidase.

We have previously reported the identification of a novel activity residing in the nuclear fraction of mammalian cells that selectively binds and hydrolyses deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Incubation of this protein with [alpha-32P]dATP leads to the appearance of a retarded band relative to free dATP when the reaction is analysed on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels. We now show that the retarded species comprises the product of dATP hydrolysis (dADP or dAMP) bound to an as yet unidentified species. We have termed this complex the 'product-nucleotide binding particle' or PNBP*. Through a combination of continuous elution polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and gel-filtration chromatography, we demonstrate that the hydrolytic activity (dNTPase) is distinct from the radiolabelled species detected in gel-retardation experiments. T.l.c. confirms that the labelled product does not share RF values associated with a range of mono-, di- and tri-phosphate deoxyribonucleotide standards, and gel-filtration experiments suggest a molecular mass for PNBP* of between 2.5 and 3 kDa. The ability of purified PNBP* to retain its nucleotide ligand after a number of denaturing processes suggests that the ligand is covalently bound. The recovery of dNTPase activity from both gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography reveals that the as yet unliganded PNBP* (or a precursor form) is associated with the dNTPase enzyme as part of the active complex, prior to addition of dATP.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

STD knowledge and behaviours among clients of female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia.

This study investigated knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to STDs and AIDS among clients of low price sex workers in Bali, Indonesia. These men are at high risk of STD and HIV transmission. They have poor knowledge of the basic concepts of STD and HIV transmission and prevention, and they practice a variety of ineffective prevention strategies including partner selection and the prophylactic use of antibiotics. They report a mean of 1.9 paid sexual partners in the previous week and very low frequencies of condom use. Over 25% had experienced an STD symptom in the previous 6 months, with self treatment with antibiotics reported by a third. Recent experience of an STD was related to the number of sex worker partners in the previous month and to ever having used a condom with a sex worker. The implications of the study findings for the development of comprehensive STD control programs including educational campaigns, condom promotion, and the strengthening of STD case management by health care providers are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Condom beliefs in urban, low income, African American and Hispanic youth.

This article focuses on the condom beliefs of low income, urban African American and Hispanic youth living in the Midwest. The condom beliefs under investigation were derived from prior research with members of this population and through consultation with African American and Hispanic youth and service providers. Significant gender, ethnic, and acculturation differences were found among beliefs related to frequency of condom use in the past year (p < .05). These differences indicated that women, African American respondents, and Hispanic respondents high in acculturation tended to have more neutral or more positive views about condoms than other types of respondents.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1994

Associations between condom experiences and beliefs, intentions, and use in a sample of urban, low-income, African-American and Hispanic youth.

This paper discusses negative experiences with using condoms reported by the condom user subsample of (n = 975) of a household probability sample of low income, urban, African-American and Hispanic youth. Condom users were asked about 12 specific experiences with condoms. Although the pattern of the association varied with the particular belief and experience, it appeared that, overall, having had a negative experience increased the likelihood that the user would agree with a negative belief about condoms (p < or = .005). In addition, users who had experienced a condom making it hard to move in and out of the vagina or anus were less likely both to intend to use a condom and to have used a condom at last intercourse (p < or = .005). Condom use was also less likely if the user had experienced condoms interrupting love-making or reducing feeling or sensation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Sexual behavior and condom use among urban, low-income, African-American and Hispanic youth.

Low income, urban, African-American, and Hispanic youth have been identified as a group for which there is concern about the spread of HIV. Using data from a household probability sample of 1,435 minority youth aged 15 to 24 in Detroit, this paper evaluates levels of sexual activity, condom use, and reasons for condom use and non-use. Comparisons with national samples of minority youth indicated that Detroit low-income youth have similar patterns of sexual behavior to national samples, although males and African-American females began their sexual experiences earlier and were less likely to have used condoms or other protection from pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at first intercourse. Recent levels of condom use also left many Detroit youth unprotected from STDs. Less than half used a condom at least intercourse in the last year with nonmarital partners that they "knew well." In addition, condom use with partners that they "did not know well" was very low for Hispanic youth: Among those who had at least one casual partner in the last year, only 30% to 33% had ever used a condom with that partner. Analysis of reasons for use indicate that both pregnancy prevention and disease prevention were important motivations for condom use. However, many youth did not use condoms for reasons such as unavailability of condoms or unplanned sex.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Urban minority youth: alcohol and marijuana use and exposure to unprotected intercourse.

This article focuses on the use of alcohol and marijuana in the context of sexual relationships and the impact of these substances on the consistency of condom use by urban, minority youth. Regression models are presented to test for the effects of alcohol and marijuana use with sexual partners while controlling for the effects of respondents' sexual history. The results indicated that when alcohol or marijuana was used with a partner, the consistency of condom use decreased even when other variables related to sexual history were controlled for. Alcohol use had a greater negative effect on condom use for Hispanic men and marijuana for African-American women than it did for Hispanic women and African-American men. These findings argue for the need for targeted safer-sex intervention programs for urban, low-income, minority youth, and suggest that such programs may need to emphasize the increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus exposure that may result from substance use, casual sex, and sex with multiple partners.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Determination of the order of substrate addition to MspI DNA methyltransferase using a novel mechanism-based inhibitor.

The cloning and overexpression of the MspI DNA methyltransferase as a functional fusion with glutathione S-transferase is described. The fusion enzyme retains full biological activity and has been used to investigate the interaction of substrates and inhibitors with MspI DNA methyltransferase. The fusion enzyme has been purified to homogeneity in a single step on GSH-agarose and is free from contaminating exonuclease activity. The enzyme can be photolabelled with S-adenosyl-L-methionine and the level of incorporation of label is enhanced by the presence of a nonspecific DNA duplex. In the presence of a cognate oligodeoxynucleotide, no photolabelling was observed since methyl transfer occurs instead. The inclusion of a mechanism-based inhibitor of C-5 deoxycytidine DNA methylation (an oligodeoxynucleotide containing the base 2-pyrimidinone-1-beta-D-2'-deoxyribofuranoside in the position of the deoxycytidine to which methyl addition occurs), which is thought to form a covalent interaction with the reactive cysteine of such enzymes, led to an enhancement of S-adenosyl-L-methionine photolabelling which suggests that, in contrast with results obtained with EcoRII DNA methyltransferase [Som and Friedman (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2937-2945], methylcysteine is not the photolabelled product. The implications of the results obtained with this mechanism-based inhibitor are discussed with respect to other C-5-specific DNA methyltransferases. Gel-retardation assays in the presence of cognate oligodeoxynucleotides that contain the reactive pyrimidinone base in place of the deoxycytidine target base are described. These demonstrate that most probably a stable covalent bond is formed between the methyltransferase and this oligodeoxynucleotide. However, the alternative of extremely tight non-covalent binding cannot be rigorously excluded. Furthermore, the results from these experiments indicate that the reaction mechanism proceeds in a manner similar to that of HhaI DNA methyltransferase with sequence-specific DNA binding being followed by addition of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and concomitant isomerization of the ternary complex leading to methyl transfer. S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine appears to inhibit the reaction pathway as a result of either competition with the methyl donor and potentiation of a high-affinity interaction between the enzyme and DNA in an abortive ternary complex or through an allosteric interaction.

Base Sequence↗