The purpose of this qualitative secondary data analysis is to examine the major influencers on mothers with HIV in their childbearing decisions, as well as how those influencers shape conversations with clinicians and health-care providers regarding HIV treatment and prevention. The original study gained insight into the reproductive decision-making of mothers with HIV. By analyzing a subsample of 15 interviews from an original cohort of 25 participants in the earlier study, three major themes were identified as follows: (1) family members, not health-care providers, influence reproductive decisions; (2) negative attitudes toward subsequent pregnancies are mainly due to HIV transmission; and (3) birth control decisions were predominately supported by family members, while health-care providers were not consulted.

In 2007, the estimated HIV and AIDS case rates among adult and adolescent African-American females in the United States was 60.6 per 100,000, as compared to 3.3 per 100,000 for adult and adolescent white American females. Women living with HIV or AIDS often face complex social problems that may inhibit them from accessing resources and healthcare services to assist them in coping with the disease. In-depth interviews and direct observations utilizing open-ended note taking were conducted at an HIV service provider’s office to determine the unique needs that develop because of these complex social issues, specifically among HIV positive women of color in Washington, DC. Ethnographic methods were used to address the study’s research questions among 10 women of different ages and backgrounds in group settings at a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. The qualitative results of the study indicate that the women dealt with a myriad of social and mental issues related to their diagnosis, such as fear of disclosure to family and friends. The study also revealed that the women were in dire need of mental health services to address their unresolved issues regarding their diagnosis. The implications of this research add to the growing body of literature on the mental and social health needs of women of color who are HIV positive.

Infant mortality is the most widely used indicator of a nation’s health status and is associated with a plethora of maternal and socioeconomic factors. Although the association between young and old maternal age and the risk of infant mortality is well established, the link between paternal age and birth outcomes has received far less attention. This study seeks to examine the added impact of paternal age on infant mortality, above and beyond that of maternal age among married couples. Using the 2002 linked birth and infant death data set ( N = 63,754), hazard odds ratios for the association between combined adolescent and adult maternal and paternal age and the risk of infant mortality were estimated. Maternal demographic characteristics, such as education and race/ethnicity were controlled. The findings indicate that, independent of maternal education and race/ethnicity, adolescent father adds additional risk, above and beyond that of maternal age, only when the mother is older (21-45 years; hazard ratio = 2.7). This study highlights that for married couples, adolescent fathers add to the risk of infant mortality when the mothers are older, providing insight into the role of paternal age in infant mortality. Implications for additional research are discussed.

One of the many reasons for smoking litigation against public health agencies such as a health department is due in part to the gap between public health education and knowledge of the laws by those who are regulated by these policies. This research study examined the effectiveness of public health instruction and curriculum from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH), and its effect on knowledge of the law as it relates to business owners. N = 74 business owners were surveyed using a pre/post study design to determine their knowledge of public health law. Results of the study found the education to be 'somewhat' effective, while other factors suggested a gap in the knowledge of public health law still existing among business owners. Given this lack of advanced knowledge, suggestions for curricular and instruction improvements are offered for the promotion of more effective public health pedagogy.

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