Biomedical subjects

Katie E Mosack

Publications and source records attributed to Katie E Mosack.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Development of a computer-based risk-reduction counseling intervention: acceptability and preferences among low-income patients at an urban sexually transmitted infection clinic.

In preparation for the development of an individually tailored, multimedia, computerized sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV-risk reduction intervention software application for use in publicly funded STI clinics, we conducted a waiting-room survey among 583 inner-city patients (67% male; 79% African American; mean age = 30.3) at an STI clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin regarding their computer experience and opinions related to a computerized approach to HIV/STI-risk reduction counseling. A substantial minority of respondents indicated they would prefer having either a combined computerized and human counseling intervention (30%) or preferred a computerized intervention alone (13%). Perceived benefits of computerized counseling included impartiality of the response, privacy, accuracy of the information, convenience, and being able to control the dissemination of information. Perceived disadvantages included lack of human contact, inability to obtain necessary information, technical problems, threats to privacy, and failure to take information from a computer seriously. Despite their limited economic resources, participants reported relatively high levels of computer experience overall and a willingness to use an individually tailored computerized risk-reduction counseling approach. We discuss how participants' responses were used to inform the development of such an intervention.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

If I didn't have HIV, I'd be dead now: illness narratives of drug users living with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this study is to illuminate the experiences of lower income, urban, HIV-positive drug users. The authors asked 60 participants about HIV risk behaviors, the impact of HIV on their lives, religious beliefs, life plans, relationships, and work-related issues both prior to and since diagnosis. They developed a theoretical framework based on illness narratives and ambiguous loss theories. Themes pertaining to both physical and emotional or spiritual dimensions were located within Benefit, Loss, or Status Quo orientations. The findings contribute to researchers' understanding of the HIV/AIDS illness experiences among the very marginalized and have important implications for physical and mental health care professionals working with HIV-positive drug users.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2005

High-risk women's willingness to try a simulated vaginal microbicide: results from a pilot study.

Vaginal microbicides could provide an important option for women in the prevention of HIV and other STIs. Researchers have examined women's preferences for specific product characteristics; however, much remains to be learned about women's willingness to use them with a variety of partners. This study examined high-risk women's experiences using simulated microbicides during a two-week trial. Ninety-six women completed the trial by using the product and reporting their experiences with different partner types. Analyses were conducted to examine differences between women who always used the product and those who used it less than all the time and whether risk and relationship attitudes were associated with simulated microbicide use during participants' most recent sexual encounters. All participants used the product and on an average of 79-94% of sexual encounters. The majority of the participants reported liking the simulated product. Women indicated that they would want to use microbicides in order to feel in control of their health, to avoid having to ask their partner, and because microbicides would be easier to use than condoms. Women who used the product 100% of the time had less relationship power; however, greater sexual assertiveness for STI prevention predicted simulated microbicide use during the most recent sexual encounter, and interventions may need to focus on promoting sexual assertiveness for disease prevention.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed2004

Microbicide acceptability among high-risk urban U.S. women: experiences and perceptions of sexually transmitted HIV prevention.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to measure microbicide acceptability among high-risk women in Hartford, Connecticut, and contextual factors likely to affect acceptability and use. GOAL: The goal of this study was to assess usefulness of microbicides for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention for high-risk women. STUDY: Ethnographic interviews (n = 75) and a survey (n = 471) explored women's perspectives on HIV/STI prevention, vaginal contraceptives similar to microbicides, and microbicide acceptability. Participants (n = 94) in a 2-week behavioral trial used an over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer to simulate microbicide use during sex with primary, casual, and/or paying partners. RESULTS: Findings showed limited experience with vaginal contraceptives, but high interest in microbicides as an alternative to condoms, indicated by an acceptability index score of 2.73 (standard deviation, 0.49; scale of 1-4) in the overall sample. General microbicide acceptability varied by ethnicity, prior contraceptive and violence/abuse experiences, relationship power, and other attitudinal factors. The simulation trial indicated significant willingness to use the product in various locations and with all types of partners. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal microbicides may improve prevention outcomes for high-risk inner-city women.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed2003

Reasons for HIV disclosure or nondisclosure to casual sexual partners.

The purpose of this study was to investigate reasons HIV-positive gay men give for disclosing or not disclosing their serostatus to their casual sexual partners. Participants were 78 HIV-positive gay men who were part of a larger HIV and disclosure project. A clear factor structure for disclosure emerged which suggests that issues of responsibility dominated men's decisions to disclose. No clear factor structure for nondisclosure emerged. Reasons for disclosure or nondisclosure to casual sexual partners were varied and this data could provide new insights for secondary prevention efforts. More research needs to be conducted to better understand salient issues in considering whether to disclose.

Adolescent↗