Alexandra M Minnis
Biographic Data
| ID | 108908 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alexandra M Minnis |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alexandra M |
| FAMILY NAME | Minnis |
| SIGNATURE | MINNIS A M |
| AFFILIATIONS | RTI International |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2943-2005 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 47 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 43 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 47 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2001 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Outcomes from a Multilevel Cluster-Randomized Trial Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tshwane, South Africa
Relationship Power, Partner Risk Characteristics, and Recent Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in a High HIV Incidence Setting in Kenya
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa face intersecting risks of HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV). Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) expands HIV prevention options, its use is often constrained by imbalanced relationship power and male partner behaviors. We used baseline data from the Tu’Washindi na PrEP cluster randomized trial to describe PrEP use, relationship dynamics and identify attributes associated wi…
“My Dream Would Be Shut Down
This study examines how social and family environments shape the future orientation and aspirations of adolescents (ages 13–15) in an agricultural, predominantly Latine community in California. We analyzed data from 80 in-depth interviews conducted with 40 participants over two years as part of the A Crecer study. We found that while youth recognized how financial hardship and anti-immigrant policies could hinder their goals, they also drew stren…
Examining pathways by which socioeconomic instability in adolescence influence sexual health during emerging adulthood in an agricultural setting in California
This study investigates the longitudinal impact of socioeconomic instability on teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living in an agricultural region and examines pathways including supportive family and social structures, decision making autonomy in romantic relationships, health access, mental health and coping behaviors, and perceptions of future opportunities. Data were dra…
Labeling in a California Latinx community
Targeted interventions that foster social belonging and connection rather than exclusion may facilitate health protective behaviors and have positive implications for future trajectories among youth
Effect of a Gender-Synchronized Family Planning Intervention on Inequitable Gender Norms in a Cluster Randomized Control Trial Among Husbands of Married Adolescent Girls in Dosso, Niger
Gender inequitable norms have severe consequences for safety and health globally. Using data from a four-arm cluster randomized control trial of the Reaching Married Adolescents in Niger (RMA) intervention (2016-2019), this study assesses effects on gender norms among husbands of married adolescent girls ( n = 1,055). Using an adjusted hierarchical difference-in-differences model, we found assignment to the RMA small groups intervention to be ass…
Outcomes of substance use and sexual power among adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa experience contextual barriers to HIV risk reduction including incomplete schooling, unintended pregnancy, substance use, and gender-based violence. A cluster randomised trial in Cape Town allocated 24 Black and Coloured communities to a gender-focused HIV risk-reduction intervention or HIV testing, with 500 AGYW total enrolled. We evaluated intervention efficacy by comparing mean difference…
Feasibility and Acceptability of the Novel Tu’Washindi Intervention to Increase PrEP Use among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Siaya County, Kenya
The Tu'Washindi intervention addressed intimate partner violence (IPV) and relationship dynamics to increase PrEP use among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Siaya County, Kenya. We evaluated feasibility and acceptability in a cluster-randomized trial in six DREAMS Safe Spaces. The multilevel intervention, delivered over 6 months, included three components delivered by DREAMS staff with support from the study team: an 8-session structure…
The “Ideal Man”
Dominant gender norms among South African males promote ideals of masculinity characterized by control, emotional stoicism, and power, which can impact overall health. This study explores South African men’s perceptions of the “ideal” man, societal expectations, and how sexual identities intersect with masculinity, health-seeking behaviors, and HIV prevention. We conducted 40 interviews with men who have sex with women and men who have sex with m…
Latina mothers’ perspectives on adverse experiences and protection of Latinx youth in an agricultural community
Latina mothers shared the impacts of immigrant-related experiences on systemic inequities in the United States which are currently missing from the ACEs framework. Immigrant specific adverse events include language-limited accessibility, or family-child separations, and policies impacting structural resources for immigrant families. Mothers highlighted their capacity to build resilience in their children and buffer impacts of systemic racism. Com…
The Importance of the Individual in PrEP Uptake
Latinx Adolescent Perspectives on the Effects of United States Immigration Policy on Wellbeing
In a prospective cohort study of Latinx adolescents living in an agricultural county in California, we examined perceptions of federal immigration policy and its effects on community and individual wellbeing. From May to December 2017, 565 youth responded to an open-ended item integrated into ongoing surveys. Median age was 14 (range 13-16 years), 53% female, and 94% Latinx. About 12% were immigrants, 71% children of immigrant parents, and 52% ha…
Social environment risk factors for violence, family context, and trajectories of social‐emotional functioning among Latinx adolescents
INTRODUCTION: High social-emotional functioning, including emotion regulation and nonviolent conflict resolution, constitute developmental competencies of adolescence that promote health and well-being. We used prospective longitudinal data from a predominantly Latinx population to understand how family context and social environment risk factors for violence related to patterns of social-emotional functioning during the transition between middle…
I didn’t support PrEP because I didn’t know what it was ”
The HIV infection rate is higher among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Africa than men in the same age range. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be used by women discreetly; however, for most AGYW, male partner approval is desired. We explored PrEP use in the context of relationship violence and power dynamics through focus group discussions and support club sessions with AGYW, in-depth interviews and male sensitisation sessions with …
Stigma in the health clinic and implications for PrEP access and use by adolescent girls and young women
Evidence is needed to inform strategies for addressing clinic stigma toward AGYW, with the goal of removing barriers to PrEP services for this group. While awareness has increased and progress has been achieved around the provision of comprehensive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, these programs need to be adapted for the specific concerns of young people seeking PrEP services. Our findings point to the four key areas note…
Couples’ Preferences for “2 in 1” Multipurpose Prevention Technologies to Prevent Both HIV and Pregnancy
Couples’ decision making regarding the use of multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) for pregnancy and HIV prevention
IPrevent
South African youth are one of the highest risk groups, globally, for HIV acquisition. Identifying prevention methods that will be acceptable and used consistently is an urgent priority. Engaging youth as co-designers is a targeted strategy to achieve the goal of developing prevention products that meet youth's needs. The iPrevent study engaged male and female youth, aged 18-24 years, in Cape Town, South Africa, to co-design critical aspects of t…
The Role of Families in Adolescent and Young Adults’ PrEP Use
Perceptions matter
Uptake of contraceptive implants has declined in South Africa since their introduction in 2014, with side effects and inadequate health provider training cited as primary contributors underlying a poor community perception of implants. In this paper we explore a theme that emerged unexpectedly during analysis of our research in Cape Town that may be an additional factor in this decline: narratives of women being assaulted by robbers who physicall…
Family and School Connectedness Associated with Lower Depression among Latinx Early Adolescents in an Agricultural County
Depression constitutes one of the greatest sources of morbidity and mortality for U.S. adolescents. Latinx are the fastest growing U.S. adolescent population, particularly in rural communities, and suffer from depression at higher rates than other racial/ethnic groups. Informed by community perspectives on adolescent health, we examined factors associated with depression among Latinx early adolescents in an agricultural community. We surveyed 599…
The PrEpare Pretoria Project
Background Despite increased prevention efforts, HIV remains the leading cause of death among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Although research indicates important determinants of HIV acquisition at the individual and interpersonal levels, structural-level stigma and discrimination continue to be critical barriers to reaching and retaining this key population for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services. Innova…
The Young Women’s Health CoOp in Cape Town, South Africa
Trial registration no: NCT02974998 , November 29, 2016
Young Women’s Ratings of Three Placebo Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for HIV and Pregnancy Prevention in a Randomized, Cross-Over Study in Kenya and South Africa
End-user input is critical to inform development of multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) products that prevent HIV and pregnancy. The TRIO Study, conducted in Kenya and South Africa, enrolled 277 HIV-negative women aged 18-30 in a randomized cross-over study to use each placebo MPT (daily oral tablets, monthly injections, and monthly vaginal ring) for one month. At the end of each month, participants rated how much they liked using the produc…
Building social capital to promote adolescent wellbeing
Adolescents in this agricultural community identified robust sources of bonding social capital within their families. However, they identified limitations in their families' capacities to link them to structural resources in education, employment, and health care that could support healthful behaviors and upward social mobility
Pregnancy Intentions and Teenage Pregnancy Among Latinas
Pregnancy intentions were important not as mediators but rather as independent risk factors for pregnancy. Differences in pregnancy rates between groups of Latinas may be less a function of intentional choice than of situational factors. Interventions and research should focus on identifying and targeting factors that hinder effective contraceptive use among teenagers who want to avoid pregnancy
Predictive Ability and Stability of Adolescents’ Pregnancy Intentions in a Predominantly Latino Community
Using data from a prospective cohort of 555 adolescent girls and boys from a predominantly Latino neighborhood of San Francisco, we examined how well four survey questionnaire items measuring pregnancy intentions predicted the incidence of pregnancy. We also compared consistency of responses among items and assessed how intentions fluctuated over time. Girls experienced 72 pregnancies over two years (six‐month cumulative incidence = 8 percent), a…
Homies with Aspirations and Positive Peer Network Ties
Migration Decision-Making Among Mexican Youth
We explored migration decisions using in-depth, semistructured interviews with male and female youth ages 14 to 24 ( n = 47) from two Mexican communities, one with high and one with low U.S. migration density. Half were return migrants and half were nonmigrants with relatives in the United States. Migrant and nonmigrant youth expressed different preferences, especially in terms of education and their ability to wait for financial gain. Reasons fo…
Factors Associated With Delayed Childbearing
There has been limited research on the protective factors that help Latinas delay childbearing until adulthood. In-depth interviews were conducted with 65 pregnant Latina teenage and adult women in California who were about to have their first child. Lack of or inconsistent birth control use as teens was attributed to wanting or ambivalence toward childbearing, concern about contraceptive side effects and infertility, and/or inadequate contracept…
Provider Counseling to Young Women Seeking Family Planning Services
High-quality strategies used by providers to guide contraceptive decision making were tailored to adolescents' developmental and environmental needs. Several areas of counseling require increased attention and seem vital to providing comprehensive reproductive health care to adolescents
The “Ideal Man”
Dominant gender norms among South African males promote ideals of masculinity characterized by control, emotional stoicism, and power, which can impact overall health. This study explores South African men’s perceptions of the “ideal” man, societal expectations, and how sexual identities intersect with masculinity, health-seeking behaviors, and HIV prevention. We conducted 40 interviews with men who have sex with women and men who have sex with m…
Family and School Connectedness Associated with Lower Depression among Latinx Early Adolescents in an Agricultural County
Depression constitutes one of the greatest sources of morbidity and mortality for U.S. adolescents. Latinx are the fastest growing U.S. adolescent population, particularly in rural communities, and suffer from depression at higher rates than other racial/ethnic groups. Informed by community perspectives on adolescent health, we examined factors associated with depression among Latinx early adolescents in an agricultural community. We surveyed 599…
Latinx Adolescent Perspectives on the Effects of United States Immigration Policy on Wellbeing
In a prospective cohort study of Latinx adolescents living in an agricultural county in California, we examined perceptions of federal immigration policy and its effects on community and individual wellbeing. From May to December 2017, 565 youth responded to an open-ended item integrated into ongoing surveys. Median age was 14 (range 13-16 years), 53% female, and 94% Latinx. About 12% were immigrants, 71% children of immigrant parents, and 52% ha…
Reproductive Health Differences Among Latin American- and US-Born Young Women
Poverty, Gender Inequities, and Women's Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Aids
Entrenched economic and gender inequities together are driving a globally expanding, increasingly female, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS epidemic. To date, significant population‐level declines in HIV transmission have not been observed, at least in part because most approaches to prevention have presumed a degree of individual control in decision making that does not speak to the reality of women's and girls' circumstances in many parts…
Immigration and Sexual Partner Risk Among Latino Adolescents in San Francisco
Pregnancy Intentions and Teenage Pregnancy Among Latinas
Pregnancy intentions were important not as mediators but rather as independent risk factors for pregnancy. Differences in pregnancy rates between groups of Latinas may be less a function of intentional choice than of situational factors. Interventions and research should focus on identifying and targeting factors that hinder effective contraceptive use among teenagers who want to avoid pregnancy
Predictive Ability and Stability of Adolescents’ Pregnancy Intentions in a Predominantly Latino Community
Using data from a prospective cohort of 555 adolescent girls and boys from a predominantly Latino neighborhood of San Francisco, we examined how well four survey questionnaire items measuring pregnancy intentions predicted the incidence of pregnancy. We also compared consistency of responses among items and assessed how intentions fluctuated over time. Girls experienced 72 pregnancies over two years (six‐month cumulative incidence = 8 percent), a…
Factors Associated With Delayed Childbearing
There has been limited research on the protective factors that help Latinas delay childbearing until adulthood. In-depth interviews were conducted with 65 pregnant Latina teenage and adult women in California who were about to have their first child. Lack of or inconsistent birth control use as teens was attributed to wanting or ambivalence toward childbearing, concern about contraceptive side effects and infertility, and/or inadequate contracept…
Limited Socioeconomic Opportunities and Latina Teen Childbearing
Adherence and Acceptability in MTN 001
Migration Decision-Making Among Mexican Youth
We explored migration decisions using in-depth, semistructured interviews with male and female youth ages 14 to 24 ( n = 47) from two Mexican communities, one with high and one with low U.S. migration density. Half were return migrants and half were nonmigrants with relatives in the United States. Migrant and nonmigrant youth expressed different preferences, especially in terms of education and their ability to wait for financial gain. Reasons fo…
Are Hormonal Contraceptive Users More Likely to Misreport Unprotected Sex? Evidence From a Biomarker Validation Study in Zimbabwe
Bringing Patients' Social Context into the Examination Room
Trust – that's a big one
Romantic relationships play a central role in young people's social development and sexual health. This paper examines romantic relationship ideals valued by urban Latino youth in San Francisco and their experiences in achieving their ideals in their current relationship. We draw on in-depth interviews with 33 young men and women aged 16-22 years in San Francisco, California. In spite of, or perhaps related to, the prevailing perception that thei…
Social Network Recruitment for Yo Puedo
Provider Counseling to Young Women Seeking Family Planning Services
High-quality strategies used by providers to guide contraceptive decision making were tailored to adolescents' developmental and environmental needs. Several areas of counseling require increased attention and seem vital to providing comprehensive reproductive health care to adolescents
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Measured by Plasma Drug Level in MTN-001
Homies with Aspirations and Positive Peer Network Ties
Healthy Weight in Lesbian and Bisexual Women Aged 40 and Older
Effects of Mindfulness Interventions on Health Outcomes in Older Lesbian/Bisexual Women
The Social Environment and Childbearing Expectations
Building social capital to promote adolescent wellbeing
Adolescents in this agricultural community identified robust sources of bonding social capital within their families. However, they identified limitations in their families' capacities to link them to structural resources in education, employment, and health care that could support healthful behaviors and upward social mobility
End-Users’ Product Preference Across Three Multipurpose Prevention Technology Delivery Forms
A multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) that combines HIV and pregnancy prevention is a promising women's health intervention, particularly for young women. However, little is known about the drivers of acceptability and product choice for MPTs in this population. This paper explores approval ratings and stated choice across three different MPT delivery forms among potential end-users. The Trio Study was a mixed-methods study in women ages 18-…
Testosterone and sexual risk among transmen
Little research has explored the link between the behavioural effects of testosterone use among transmen and HIV risk. We conducted a mixed methods study to explore testosterone use among transmen and the behavioural effects on HIV risk. A sample of 122 transmen from San Francisco participated in a cross-sectional quantitative survey and 14 transmen participated in 2 focus group discussions. Most participants (81.9%) were currently taking hormone…
A Computerized Family Planning Counseling Aid
Computerized counseling aids like Smart Choices are in an early stage of development. Future research is warranted to develop tools that lead to more productive and individualized clinic visits and, ultimately, to more effective contraceptive use and reduced levels of unintended pregnancy
The Young Women’s Health CoOp in Cape Town, South Africa
Trial registration no: NCT02974998 , November 29, 2016
Young Women’s Ratings of Three Placebo Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for HIV and Pregnancy Prevention in a Randomized, Cross-Over Study in Kenya and South Africa
End-user input is critical to inform development of multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) products that prevent HIV and pregnancy. The TRIO Study, conducted in Kenya and South Africa, enrolled 277 HIV-negative women aged 18-30 in a randomized cross-over study to use each placebo MPT (daily oral tablets, monthly injections, and monthly vaginal ring) for one month. At the end of each month, participants rated how much they liked using the produc…
Medicine (37 works) · Psychology (33 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (29 works) · Public health (23 works) · Environmental health (19 works) · Population (19 works) · Nursing (17 works) · Sociology (17 works) · Demography (16 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (16 works)