Difference in HIV testing behavior by injection status, among users of illicit drugs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains prevalent among the marginalized and drug using population in the United States. Testing for HIV is an important and cost-effective way to reduce HIV prevalence. Our objective was to determine if there is a difference in the number of HIV testing by injection status among users of illicit drugs and if a person's social network characteristics is a contributing factor. Using a cross-sectional design and negative binomial regression models, we assessed HIV testing behavior of people who use non-injected drugs (PWND) compared to people who use injected drugs (PWID). In an analytic sample of 539 participants, PWND tested for HIV 19% less compared to PWID, PR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.66, 0.98), p = 0.03. Other contributing factors of testing were education, condomless sex, STIs, heroin use, and participant's sex network. The interaction term between PWND and emotional support in relation to HIV testing was significant, 1.33 (1.03, 1.69), p=0.03. These findings suggest HIV testing behavior differed by injection status, and this relationship may be dependent on emotional support. To exert a greater impact on the HIV epidemic, interventions and policies encouraging HIV testing in PWND, an understudied at-risk sub-population, are warranted.

Effects of Social Network Characteristics on Mental Health Outcomes Among United States Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.

We sought to examine the relative salience of multiple social network structural characteristics (e.g., size, composition, quality, substance use) for understanding soldiers' mental health symptoms (anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD). Data are drawn from soldiers (N = 421) participating in the Operation: SAFETY study. Negative binomial regression models examined the relationship between ten social network characteristics and mental health outcomes, controlling for age, sex, years of military service, and deployment history. Greater number of close network ties was associated with fewer symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression (ps < 0.05), but not PTSD. Having more illicit drug-using network ties was associated with greater severity of anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05). Finally, more days spent drinking with network members was related to higher levels of anger (p < 0.05). Interpersonal relationships that entail substance use are associated with greater anxiety and anger while a greater number of close ties is associated with fewer anger, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics, satisfaction, wishes and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: A supportive social network is crucial for facilitating social inclusion, which can, in turn, contribute to the quality of life (QOL) for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). In this study, we investigate how people with mild ID perceive their social networks and which network characteristics relate to satisfaction with the network and perceived QOL. METHOD: Data were gathered from 33 young adults with a mild to borderline ID using structured questionnaires: the MSNA to map the social network, the IDQOL-16 to assess QOL, and a questionnaire to determine satisfaction and wishes with regard to the social network. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (73.1%) were satisfied with their social networks. Improvement in the area of strengthening existing ties (e.g. more frequent contact, better contact) was desired as opposed to expansion of the network. Affection--especially towards family and professionals--was most strongly related to perceived QOL. It appears to be essential that relatives live in the same town, can frequently meet up and provide both emotional and practical support. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of family and the importance of high-quality interpersonal relationships between professional and client in the lives of young adults with ID cannot be overestimated. Although measures of satisfaction and wishes can have limitations, in actual practice it is considered useful to assess the opinions of clients with respect to their social networks. Interventions can then be tailored to the needs and wishes of the persons themselves.

Social networks and customer loyalty: review of loyalty keys and main social networks publications' characteristics.

The aim of this work is to shed light on the characteristics and relationship between customer loyalty and publications by the companies on social networks; it has been undertaken with the aid of an exhaustive review of previous studies from 1994 up to the present time. The purpose of the research is to generate a model that can tackle the practical characteristics of the publications on social networks to encourage loyalty. With a view to this, a model is developed that is an extension of the traditional "Four Stage Loyalty Model" based on other constructions of the same model, and combined with the characteristics of social networks publications defined in earlier literature. This reflexive approach is particularly important here due to the fact that companies have to be closer to customers' requirements and customers have the option to choose from which type of communication they wish to be the object.

Social network characteristics and HIV testing among older adults in South Africa.

Drawing from theory and research on the role of social networks in promoting or undermining preventative public health measures, this article considers how structural, compositional and functional aspects of older adults' close social networks are associated with HIV testing in the context of rural South Africa. Analyses use data from the population-based Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) - a sample of rural adults age 40+ (N = 4,660). Results from multiple logistic regression show older South African adults with larger, more heavily non-kin and more literate networks were most likely to report testing for HIV. People whose network members provided frequent information were also most likely to be tested, though interaction effects indicate that this pattern is primarily found among those with highly literate networks. Taken together, the findings reinforce a key insight from social capital perspectives: network resourcefulness - literacy in particular - is crucial for promoting preventative health practice. The synergy between network literacy and informational support reveals the complex interplay between network characteristics in shaping health-seeking behaviour. Continued research is needed on the connection between networks and HIV testing among sub-Saharan older adults, as this population is not currently well served by many public health efforts in the region.

Depression, Smoking, and Ego-Centric Social Network Characteristics in Ohio Appalachian Women.

Depression is a serious, costly, and debilitating disorder that is understudied in rural women. Studies show that depression is associated with low social integration and support, but few studies investigate the relationship between depression and social network characteristics. This study examined the associations among women from three Ohio Appalachian counties enrolled in a health study, which aimed to collect information for a future social network smoking cessation intervention. An address-based sampling method was used to randomly select and recruit 404 women. A cross-sectional survey and interview were used to collect information about demographic, psychosocial, behavioral factors, and ego-centric social network characteristics, which are variables derived from an individual (ego) and her first degree contacts (alters). The CES-D scale assessed depressive symptoms. A multivariable logistic regression analysis described the association between these factors and participants with depression (defined as CES-D≥16). Higher network density, or greater number of relationships among alters divided by the total amount of alters, reduced the risk for depression (OR = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.95). Additionally, women with a high percentage of smoking alters were at greater risk for depression (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.39). Other factors associated with risk for depression included perceived stress score (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.24-1.45), loneliness score (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.80), and days with poor physical health (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11). Findings suggest that psychosocial factors and social networks should be considered when addressing depression in clinical practice.