Katz IT, Ybarra ML, Wyatt MA, Kiwanuka J, Bangsberg DR, Ware NC. Socio-cultural and economic antecedents of adolescent sexual decision-making and HIV-risk in rural Uganda. AIDS Care. 2013;25(2):258-264. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2012.701718 Abstract: With more than half of new infections occurring among youth, HIV/AIDS remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 48 adolescents and 15 adult key informants in a rural Ugandan community to identify influences on adolescent sexual decision-making. Inductive data analytic methods revealed five thematic influences: (1) social pressure, (2) decline of the Senga (a familial figure who traditionally taught female adolescents about how to run a household), (3) cultural barriers to … [Read more...]
Usability and navigability of an HIV/AIDS internet intervention for adolescents in a resource-limited setting
Ybarra ML, Biringi R, Prescott T, Bull SS. Usability and navigability of an HIV/AIDS internet intervention for adolescents in a resource-limited setting. Comput Inform Nurs. 2012;30(11):587-595. doi: 10.1097/NXN.0b013e318266cb0e Abstract: Use of the Internet is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence of computer and Internet effectiveness for reduction in risk behaviors associated with HIV shown in US settings has yet to be replicated in Africa. We describe the development, usability, and navigability testing of an Internet-based HIV prevention program for secondary school students in Uganda, called CyberSenga. For this work, we used four data collection activities, including observation of (a) computer skills and (b) navigation, (c) focus group discussions, and (d) field assessments … [Read more...]
CyberSenga: A culturally tailored Internet-based HIV prevention program for adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda
Ybarra M, Bull S, Korchmaros J, Kiwanuka J, Birungi R, Prescott T, Bangsberg D. CyberSenga: A culturally tailored Internet-based HIV prevention program for adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda. Poster presentation at the XIX International AIDS Conference; 26 Jul 2012; Washington, DC. Data from the CyberSenga study collected in 2011 are discussed. … [Read more...]
What sources do adolescents turn to for information about their health concerns?
Baheiraei A, Khoori E, Foroushani AR, Ahmadi F, Ybarra ML. What sources do adolescents turn to for information about their health concerns? Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2014;26(1):61-8. doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2012-0112 Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adolescents are developmentally normatively interested in information about sexuality and other health-related issues. In the absence of available health programming, identifying the sources of information that youth are currently accessing will help adolescent health researchers understand where youth 'are,' thereby informing where and how future interventions can be targeted. This is particularly important in resource-limited settings, such as Iran, where funding for public health programming is scant. This study aimed to examine primary and preferred … [Read more...]
Real-time electronic adherence monitoring is feasible, comparable to unannounced pill counts, and acceptable
Haberer JE, Robbins GK, Ybarra M, Monk A, Ragland K, Weiser SD, Johnson MO, Bangsberg DR. Real-time electronic adherence monitoring is feasible, comparable to unannounced pill counts, and acceptable. AIDS Behav. 2012;16(2):375-82. Abstract: Second generation electronic medication adherence monitors provide real-time data on pill bottle opening behavior. Feasibility, validity, and acceptability, however, have not been established. Med-eMonitor is a multi-compartment adherence device with reminder and education capacity that transmits data through a telephone connection. Monthly adherence levels were measured for 52 participants over approximately 3 months using the Med-eMonitor (unadjusted and adjusted for participant confirmed dosing) and unannounced pill counts. HIV RNA was assessed … [Read more...]
Usability and navigability and field testing of an Internet-based HIV prevention program in Mbarara, Uganda
Bull S, Biringi R, Kiwanuka J, Ybarra M. Usability and navigability and field testing of an Internet-based HIV prevention program in Mbarara, Uganda. Oral presentation at the AIDS Impact Conference; 13 Sept 2011; Sante Fe, NM. Data from the CyberSenga study collected in 2010 are discussed. … [Read more...]
Sociocultural and economic antecedents of adolescent sexual decision-making in rural Uganda
Katz IT, Ybarra ML, Wyatt MA, Kiwanuka JP, Bangsberg DR, Ware NC. Sociocultural and economic antecedents of adolescent sexual decision-making in rural Uganda. Poster presenation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference; 18-23 Jul 2010; Vienna, Austria. Data from the CyberSenga study collected in 2010 are discussed. … [Read more...]
Internet use and health information seeking behavior of adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda: Implications for HIV prevention
Ybarra M. Internet use and health information seeking behavior of adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda: Implications for HIV prevention. South African-United States Workshop on Behavioural HIV/STI Prevention and Mental Health Research: Emerging Research Priorities; 3 June 2007; Durban, South Africa. Data from the CyberSenga study collected in 2005 are discussed. … [Read more...]
Internet use among Ugandan Adolescents: Implications for HIV intervention
Ybarra M, Kiwanuka J, Emenyonu N, Bangsberg D. Internet use among Ugandan adolescents: Implications for HIV intervention. PLoS Med. 2006;3(11):e433. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030433 Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Internet is fast gaining recognition as a powerful, low-cost method to deliver health intervention and prevention programs to large numbers of young people across diverse geographic regions. The feasibility and accessibility of Internet-based health interventions in resource-limited settings, where cost-effective interventions are most needed, is unknown. To determine the utility of developing technology-based interventions in resource-limited settings, availability and patterns of usage of the Internet first need to be assessed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The Uganda Media and You … [Read more...]
Internet use and health among children and adolescents in the United States
Ybarra M. Internet use and health among children and adolescents in the United States. Oral presentation at the Mbarara University, Department of Pediatrics, Grand Rounds; 2005; Mbarara, Uganda. … [Read more...]