In 2005, more than 25 million adults and children worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS and more than 75% of these were in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies indicate that the incidence of HIV infection and the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among young populations continue to rise in developing countries. AIDS has severe economic impacts, especially in high-risk countries such as Nigeria. This project used secondary data from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The 2003 NDHS is a cross-sectional, multistage, stratified survey with systematic sampling that was designed to obtain information on key population and health indicators such as sexual activity, knowledge about AIDS and other STDs, and behavior associated with AIDS and other STDs for the entire Nigerian population, including people living in rural areas, urban areas, and six major geographic regions. Analyses were restricted to sexually active adolescents and young adults 15 to 24 years of age who are Nigerians living in Nigeria in 2003. The sample size was (n=2,418), of which 2,009 are females and 409 are males. Non-Nigerians and Nigerians in Diaspora were excluded in the original design of the survey. Also, those younger than 15 years or older than 24 years were excluded in this study. This research examined the association between independent variables and other covariates with risky sexual behaviors such as lack of condom use and multiple sex partners, as well as possible difference by gender. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusting for age, education and religion. All tests were done at 95% significant leve. l-- Abstract.

ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS Background: There were an estimated 300,000 new HIV infections in the Asia and Pacific region in 2015, with young people aged 15 to 24 years accounting for 37% of all new HIV infections. The number of adolescents living with HIV has risen by 28% between 2005 and 2015 in this region. The HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, behavior and HIV testing status study was done among young people aged 15 to 24 years in Myanmar, 2016. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behavior, and HIV testing status among young people of Myanmar. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study; it was a nationally representative survey of women and men age 15-24 year throughout Myanmar, data based on 2015-16 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS). A total of 3,728 women and 1,458 men were interviewed to examine knowledge, awareness, and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The survey used computer-assisted field editing (CAFE) procedures. SAS software 9.4 used for data management and analyses. Results: The young people in the study group have the high awareness about HIV, but limited knowledge about HIV/ AIDS prevention which varied across residence and education level. The stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS still prevalent among young people. The prevalence of HIV testing was low among young men. Conclusion: HIV related knowledge, attitude and behavior among young people is the key area to focus on young people living in the rural area with low education and income in Myanmar. The policymakers and HIV program managers should focus on the most vulnerable groups on HIV prevention by awareness raising campaign and by creating an enabling environment for HIV counseling and testing. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice, Young People

In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.