PhD
December 21, 2022
Experience of Being Bullied, Depressive Symptoms, Suicidality, and Substance Use among Adolescents
Background: Depressive symptoms, suicidality, and the experience of having been bullied are prevalent among adolescents in the United States. In addition, substance use is also common among adolescents in the United States. Both the experience of depressive symptoms and suicidality and of having been bullied have been associated with substance use. However, the context in…
Cumulative Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer Mortality in Screen-Eligible Older Adults with History of Adequate Screening
The decision of whether or not to continue colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at older ages is complex. Although most guidelines recommend routine screening of adults older than age 45 years for CRC, there is ambiguity on when to stop screening. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Cancer Society, and the Multi-Society Task…
May 20, 2022
Antimicrobial Resistance in Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Kenyan Children at Discharge from Hospital
Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is associated with millions of deaths per year worldwide. The global burden of AMR is disproportionately high in Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily as a result of the high incidence of infectious diseases. Children who have been hospitalized and subsequently discharged in this region are at high risk for morbidity and mortality. It…
Elucidating barriers to malaria elimination: An analysis of the role of low-density and imported Plasmodium falciparum infections to onward malaria transmission
Despite yearly investments of more than US $4.1 billion dollars and extensive efforts, malaria continues to be one of the greatest contributors to morbidity and mortality in endemic areas. To continue to reduce the malaria burden, new control strategies, therapeutics, and vaccines are needed. While the malaria burden has declined since the last decade, the…
Understanding Enteric Dysfunction as a Determinant of Post-Discharge Pediatric Outcomes in Kenya and Pakistan.
Background: This dissertation aims to establish if enteric dysfunction appears to be an important interventional target for clinical trials hoping to reduce pediatric post-discharge mortality. We also aim to generate new knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of enteric dysfunction among acutely ill children, while validating previous observations from community cohorts. Finally, we will contribute to a…
Cadmium Burden and Blood Pressure
Background Hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP) affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide and is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. A growing body of literature has implicated toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), as contributors to higher BP and hypertensive disorders. Cd is extensively used in production of consumer products such as batteries,…
Structural Barriers to Continuity of HIV Care: Characterizing and Evaluating the Impact of Patient Discontinuation from AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance programs (ADAPs) are the largest source of medical care for people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States. They pay for insurance and medical care for 20% of people living with HIV in the United States, and people on the program have high rates of viral suppression, the…
Karibu na sirenji (Near the Syringe): Applying mixed methods to characterize the HIV risk environment and gender differences among persons who inject drugs in Nairobi, Kenya
In Kenya, people who inject drugs (PWID) are considered a key population that are disproportionately affected by the HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) epidemics, with prevalence estimates reaching upwards of 19-25% and 11-36%, respectively. Kenya’s national HIV program scale-up for key populations has resulted in significant reductions in HIV incidence among PWID, but service gaps…
Evaluating PrEP use and safety among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) has emerged as an important HIV prevention strategy for women and is being scaled up rapidly in areas with high HIV burden. New, long-acting PrEP methods are also approaching introduction, including the dapivirine vaginal ring, which women can wear continuously and…
Making Sense of Brain Aging: Hearing and Visual Impairments, Ophthalmic Conditions, and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults
Background: Hearing and vision play an important role in physical, mental, and functional health. Less is known about the impact of deficits in hearing and vision, including dual sensory impairment (DSI), and causes of these sensory impairments on cognitive function. Objectives of this study were to examine risk of dementia associated with: (1) hearing and…
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