Kamila A. Alexander

Johns Hopkins University

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Trends

Author Order

Document Type

Co-Authors

Tiara C. Willie

Johns Hopkins University

Jacquelyn C. Campbell

Johns Hopkins University

Trace Kershaw

Yale University

Phyllis Sharps

Johns Hopkins University

Elizabeth Miller

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Michele R. Decker

Johns Hopkins University

Karen Trister Grace

George Mason University

Nancy Glass

Johns Hopkins University

Jessica L. Zemlak

Marquette University

Nancy Perrin

Johns Hopkins University

Cooperative Institutions

Johns Hopkins University

178

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Yale University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Baltimore

National Institutes of Health

Universidade de São Paulo

Harvard University

Universidade de Ribeirão Preto

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Field

Peer Approaches to Improve HIV Care Cascade Outcomes: a Scoping Review Focused on Peer Behavioral Mechanisms

Current HIV/AIDS Reports (2022)

Karin E. Tobin Omeid Heidari Abigail K. Winiker Sarah Pollock Melissa Davey Rothwell

Component (thermodynamics)

10.1007/s11904-022-00611-3

Cite

Citations (15)

Predictors of HIV-related risk perception and PrEP acceptability among young adult female family planning patients

AIDS Care (2016)

Danielle Garfinkel Kamila A. Alexander Reagan McDonald-Mosley Tiara C. Willie Michele R. Decker

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) presents new opportunities for HIV prevention. While women comprise approximately 20% of new HIV infections in the US, significant questions remain about how to most effectively facilitate PrEP uptake for this population. Family planning clinics are a dominant source of health care for young women and support an estimated 4.5 million women annually. We explore characteristics associated with HIV risk perception and PrEP acceptability among young adult women seeking reproductive health services in a high-prevalence setting. A cross-sectional, clinic-based survey was conducted with women ages 18–35 (n = 146) seeking health care at two family planning clinics in the greater Baltimore, Maryland area, from January to April 2014. An estimated 22% of women reported being worried about HIV risk, and 60% reported they would consider taking a pill daily to prevent HIV. In adjusted models, HIV-related worry was associated with having no college education, being single or dating more than one person, practicing consistent condom use during vaginal sex, and having ever traded sex. PrEP acceptability was significantly associated with being Black (71% vs. 49%, AOR 2.23, CI: 1.89–2.64) and having ever traded sex (83% vs. 58%, AOR 4.94, CI: 2.00–12.22). For women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV), PrEP acceptability was significantly lower (57% vs. 62%, AOR .71, CI: .59–.85) relative to their non-abused counterparts. Results suggest that family planning clinics may be a natural setting for PrEP discussion and roll-out. They should be considered in the context of integrating HIV prevention with reproductive health services. Women with a trauma history may need additional support for implementing HIV prevention in the form of PrEP.

Worry

Pill

Pre-exposure prophylaxis

Risk Perception

10.1080/09540121.2016.1234679

Cite

Citations (108)

21. Creating Hope and Ending Stigma: A Holistic Approach to HIV/AIDS

American Public Health Association eBooks (2023)

Ashleigh LoVette Brenice Duroseau Angela Wangari Walter Kamila A. Alexander

Stigma

10.2105/9780875533414ch21

Cite

Citations (0)

Descriptions of the Pain Experience in Adults and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis

Pain Management Nursing (2018)

Sarah Allgood Sharon Kozachik Kamila A. Alexander A. Thaxton Marc Vera

Socialization

Exploratory research

Pain catastrophizing

10.1016/j.pmn.2017.11.011

Cite

Citations (17)

Health Care Utilization and Care-seeking Behavior Among Vulnerabilized Sexual Minority Women: A Social-ecological Approach

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (2024)

Aimee K. Huang Megan L. Nguyen Danielle German Kamila A. Alexander Brittany M. Charlton

Sexual minority women (SMW) experience worse health than their heterosexual counterparts but have largely been omitted from health services research. To address this gap, we conducted 25 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SMW. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, and findings were organized using a modified socioecological framework. Key themes at each socioecological level include (1) structural: stigma, sociocultural norms, health infrastructure; (2) organizational: stigma, patient-provider relationship, hours and location, linkage to care and co-location of services; (3) interpersonal: stigma and social support; (4) individual: internalized stigma, self-efficacy, socioeconomic status, health literacy, and intersecting identities. Stigma is the central theme affecting vulnerabilized SMW's experiences accessing care. Anti-stigma initiatives and factors that lead to personal resilience and can mitigate care access barriers were identified at each level. Interventions should focus on building inclusive policies/infrastructure and using SMW's unique social networks to empower and improve care access and health outcomes among vulnerabilized SMW.

Stigma

Thematic Analysis

Health Literacy

Social stigma

10.1353/hpu.2024.a928634

Cite

Citations (1)

IPV, PrEP, and Medical Mistrust

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2022)

Laurel Sharpless Trace Kershaw Abigail M. Hatcher Kamila A. Alexander Marina Katague

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to examine (1) relationships between physical, sexual, and psychological IPV and women's PrEP communication with a health care provider and domestic violence advocate; and (2) how IPV-specific medical mistrust modifies the association between IPV and PrEP communication.

Embarrassment

10.1097/qai.0000000000002956

Cite

Citations (11)

Firearms and post‐separation abuse: Providing context behind the data on firearms and intimate partner violence

Journal of Advanced Nursing (2023)

Kathryn J. Spearman Lea Marineau Adebola Owolabi Kamila A. Alexander Jacquelyn C. Campbell

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to provide insight from maternal survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) describing their experiences with their ex‐partners' firearm ownership, access, storage and behaviours in the context of co‐parenting and separation. Design We conducted a qualitative descriptive study informed by the IPV and Coparenting Model. Methods The analytic sample consists of self‐identified maternal survivors ( n = 14) who completed semi‐structured qualitative interviews between January and May 2023 describing experiences of post‐separation abuse. Participants were recruited through social media and domestic violence advocacy and legal aid organizations. In the interview guide, participants were asked one item about firearm exposure: Have you or your children had any experiences with guns and your ex‐partner that made you or your children feel scared? Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Interview transcripts were managed and coded in ATLAS.ti using a codebook. Codes were applied using descriptive content analysis, discrepancies reconciled and themes related to firearm exposure in the context of post‐separation abuse identified. Results Six themes emerged related to firearm experiences and post‐separation abuse: (1) gun ownership (2) gun access; (3) unsafe storage; (4) direct and symbolic threats; (5) involving the children; (6) survivors' protective actions. Conclusion This manuscript provides context on how abusive ex‐partners' firearm ownership, access and threats cause terror and pervasive fear for mothers and children following separation. Analysis of qualitative data provides important insights into opportunities to address firearm injury prevention. Impact Findings add to the contextual understanding of how survivors of IPV experience non‐fatal firearm abuse. Existing quantitative data may not capture the full extent of fear caused by perpetrators' gun ownership access and symbolic threats. Data from this study can help inform firearm injury prevention efforts. Patient or Public Contribution The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the individuals who helped in cognitive testing of the interview guide prior to conducting interviews with participants, including (3) survivors of post‐separation abuse. The authors would also like to acknowledge domestic violence advocates and those individuals who helped with recruitment and connected us with participants. Importantly, with deep gratitude, the authors would like to thank the participants who generously shared their time and stories with us.

10.1111/jan.15933

Cite

Citations (1)

44. Perceptions of Safety: Characterizing Activity Spaces among Black Adolescent Young Adult Sexual Minority Women with Intimate Partner Violence Histories in Baltimore, MD

Journal of Adolescent Health (2023)

Kamila A. Alexander Carmen Britton Eve S. Warnke DaJaneil McCree Karin E. Tobin

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.11.065

Cite

Citations (1)

‘Some men just don’t want to get hurt’: perspectives of U.S. Virgin Islands men toward partner violence and HIV risks

Ethnicity and Health (2017)

Kamila A. Alexander Noelle M. St. Vil Marilyn A. Braithwaite-Hall Michael Sánchez Aletha Baumann

Objectives: Global evidence suggests that individuals who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) can have accelerated risk for HIV transmission. The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has high per capita rates of HIV and IPV that can have devastating effects on women’s health. Catalysts for these health disparities may be shaped by cultural and social definitions of conventional masculinity. Thus, understanding USVI men’s perceptions about HIV risks and IPV are a necessary component of developing strategies to improve women’s health. This study aimed to describe perceptions of HIV risks and IPV among USVI men.Design: We conducted two focus groups with 14 men living on St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI. The focus group interview guide was culturally relevant and developed using findings from research conducted about these issues on USVI. Thematic analysis was used to analyze focus group data. Transcripts were coded and categorized by four research team members and discrepancies were reconciled. Themes were developed based on the emerging data.Results: Focus group participants were all US citizens born on the USVI, had a median age range of 20–25, 86% (12) were of African descent and 14% (2) were Hispanic. Themes emerging from the data were: (1) validating status, (2) deflecting responsibility, and (3) evoking fear and distrust. These ideas underscored the ways that attitudes and beliefs informed by gender and social norms influence IPV and sexual behavior between intimate partners.Conclusion: USVI society could benefit from interventions that aim to transform norms, promote healthy relationships, and encourage health-seeking behavior to improve the health of women partners.

Distrust

Thematic Analysis

10.1080/13557858.2017.1395816

Cite

Citations (16)

Transgender and Gender Diverse Community Connection, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Among Black Transgender Women Who Have Survived Violence: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Violence Against Women (2021)

Athena D. F. Sherman Sarah Allgood Kamila A. Alexander Meredith Klepper Monique S. Balthazar

Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

Thematic Analysis

Transgender women

Transgender Person

10.1177/10778012211013892

Cite

Citations (35)