Patterns of HIV prevalence in Kenya suggest that areas where various cultural practices are prevalent bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. This paper examines (i) the contextual effects of cultural practices (polygyny, male circumcision) and related sexual behaviour factors on HIV prevalence and (ii) the extent to which specific cultural practices in a community/county might explain existing ethnic variations in HIV prevalence in Kenya. The analysis applies multilevel logistic regression to data from the 2012/13 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey. The results reveal striking ethnic variations in HIV prevalence in Kenya. The prevalence of polygyny in a community is positively associated with HIV prevalence, while a higher level of male circumcision in a county is protective for both men and women. The effects of these factors are stronger for men than women at both individual and contextual (community/county) levels. These cultural practices and associated risk factors partly explain existing ethnic differences in HIV prevalence in Kenya, but there remain significant ethnic variations that are not explained by these cultural practices or related sexual behaviour factors. These call for stronger empirical evidence to offer stronger theoretical explanations and inform effective policy and practice to address HIV epidemic in adversely affected communities in Kenya and similar settings in sub-Saharan Africa.This article identifies the way spaces of violence operate within gendered hierarchies in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. As migration accelerates, gender-related differences become evident. Strong push factors underlined by patriarchal power systems and hypermasculine spaces have normalized violence against women. Using data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and local data from the three countries, this article illustrates how gender inequalities sustain the emigration of women. The study also evaluates how the interweaving of female murders has further ostracized women and forced them to flee their home countries in search of sanctuary.Background Although nurses are well described as being at risk of work-related asthma, certified nurse aides (CNAs) are understudied. Using a statewide registry in Texas, we measured prevalence and risk factors for work-related asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) symptoms among CNAs. Methods For this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of CNAs (n = 2,114) identified through the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services registry, working in health care during 2016-2017, to collect data on job history, asthma symptoms, and sociodemographics. Two outcomes were defined (a) new-onset asthma (NOA) after entry into the health care field and (b) BHR-related symptoms. Job exposures to cleaning compounds and tasks were assigned using an externally coded CNA-specific job-exposure matrix. Logistic regression modeling was used to measure associations between cleaning exposures and the two asthma outcomes. Findings The final sample consisted of 413 CNAs (response rate 21.6%). The prevalence of NOA and BHR symptoms were 3.6% and 26.9%, respectively. In adjusted models, elevated odds for BHR symptoms were observed for patient care cleaning (odds ratio [OR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.45, 6.51]), instrument cleaning (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = [0.66, 2.68]), building-surface cleaning (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = [0.35, 5.60]), exposure to glutaraldehyde/orthophthalaldehyde (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = [0.66, 2.68]), and latex glove use during 1992-2000 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = [0.84, 3.12]). There were too few NOA cases to warrant meaningful regression analysis. Conclusion/Application to Practice Although not statistically significant, we observed elevated odds of BHR symptoms among nurse aides, associated with cleaning exposures, suggesting this is an at-risk group of health care professionals for work-related respiratory disease, meriting further study.BACKGROUND Insufficient or excessive iodine intake during gestation may compromise adaptive mechanisms in maternal thyroid function and lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this context, we aimed to study the effects of maternal iodine status in the first and third trimesters of gestation on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in an iodine-sufficient population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. HL 362 METHODS A total of 214 pregnant women in the first trimester of gestation were enrolled and prospectively followed until delivery between 2014-2017. All participants were ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 years, had a spontaneous single pregnancy and had no history of thyroid or other chronic diseases, nor were they taking iodine-containing supplements at enrollment. In the first trimester, we obtained clinical information and determined thyroid function and the urine iodine concentration (UIC) of the participants. Thyroid function and UIC were reassessed in the third trimester. Iodine status was determined by the median of UIC obtained from 6 uri-0.9 p=0.03]. CONCLUSIONS In a population whose median iodine intake is sufficient, extensive individual variation occurs. Such abnormalities are associated with increased GDM and HDP when UIC is ≥250 μg/L, and lower infant birth length when UIC is less then 150 μg/L.Dietary exposure of the Tunisian adult population to pesticide residue was assessed using the Total Diet Study method. In the present study 170 pesticides were searched for in 42 aggregated foods characterised by 64 food samples representing the Tunisian diet. All the food samples were collected, prepared, and analysed for remains of pesticides including organochlorine, organophosphorous, carbamates and pyrethroids. The GC-MS analysis and the LC-MS/MS analysis and some other specific analytical methods were employed for the quantification of the pesticide residues in the food samples. Results revealed that21pesticides reached amounts greater than the LOQ(12.3%) and 149 pesticides reached amounts below the LOD (88%).For the 21 pesticides quantified, the ADI was not exceeded. For the 149 non-quantified pesticides, an interval defined by the lower and upper bounds was defined to assess the dietary exposure of the Tunisian adult population to those pesticides. We conclude that 8 pesticides theoretically exceed the ADI with the 95th percentile of exposure, those are Diféthialone, Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Glufosinate, Heptachlor, Dieldrin Aldrin Oxydemeton-methyl.