Winnie K Luseno
Biographic Data
| ID | 341870 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Winnie K Luseno |
| GIVEN NAMES | Winnie K |
| FAMILY NAME | Luseno |
| SIGNATURE | LUSENO W K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Pacific Institute For Research and Evaluation |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0611-7985 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 30 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 47 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 30 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Digital Intervention to Improve Disclosure to Family Caregivers, Stigma Coping, and Social Support Among Pregnant Adolescents Living with HIV
Prioritizing Participant Safety During Online Focus Groups With Women Experiencing Violence
Although researchers have convened focus groups to collect individuals' opinions for some time, many have transitioned data collection from in-person to online groups. Online focus groups became even more important as COVID-19-related restrictions to movement and shared spaces interrupted the ability of researchers to collect data in person. However, little is published about conducting online groups with populations whose physical and emotional …
Does Venue of HIV Testing and Results Disclosure in the Context of a Research Study Affect Adolescent Health and Behavior? Results from a Study in Western Kenya
Ethical concerns about risks to minor adolescents participating in HIV prevention research is a barrier to their inclusion. One concern is whether HIV testing and results disclosure venue affects the health and behavior of adolescent participants. We assessed for differential effects on quality of life (QOL), depressive symptoms, and sexual behavior due to (1) testing venue (home or health facility) and (2) test result (HIV-positive, HIV-negative…
Ethics of pursuing targets in public health
The use of targets to direct public health programmes, particularly in global initiatives, has become widely accepted and commonplace. This paper is an ethical analysis of the utilisation of targets in global public health using our fieldwork on and experiences with voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) initiatives in Kenya. Among the many countries involved in VMMC for HIV prevention, Kenya is considered a success story, its programmes havi…
Suicide behaviour among adolescents in a high HIV prevalence region of western Kenya
The study purpose was to determine the prevalence and determinants of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in a rural community sample of 15-19-year-old Kenyan adolescents in a region with high HIV burden. Data were from an observational study examining ethical issues in adolescent HIV research ( N =4084). Participants reporting suicidal ideation were assessed for suicide risk. Directed content analyses were conducted using assessment reports. Logist…
Pathways to Depression and Poor Quality of Life Among Adolescents in Western Kenya
Adolescent perceptions about participating in HIV-related research studies
Consent Challenges and Psychosocial Distress in the Scale-up of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Adolescents in Western Kenya
If the mother does not know, there is no way she can tell the adolescent to go for drugs”
I think the parent should be there because no one was born alone”
Despite a pressing need for adolescent HIV research in sub-Saharan Africa, ethical guidance for conducting research among minor adolescents is lacking. One ethical issue is the degree to which parents should be involved in the research process. The existing discourse is predominantly speculative and focuses on negative consequences of parental involvement. We use empirical data to describe the perspectives of Kenyan adolescents on parental involv…
Experiences along the HIV care continuum
To be effective, HIV programmes should be responsive to the unique needs of diverse groups of infected adolescents. We highlight a range of adolescent perspectives on HIV services, including those who acquired HIV perinatally or sexually and those who were either in care, had dropped out of care, or had never enrolled in care. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 adolescents (aged 15-19) and 14 caregivers in western Kenya. Data were an…
The Significance of Benefit Perceptions for the Ethics of HIV Research Involving Adolescents in Kenya
Assessment of benefits is traditionally regarded as crucial to the ethical evaluation of research involving human participants. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with health and other professionals engaged with adolescents, caregivers/parents, and adolescents in Siaya County, Kenya, to solicit opinions about appropriate ways of conducting HIV research with adolescents. Our data revealed that many focus group participants have a profound…
Influence of school support on early marriage experiences and health services utilization among young orphaned women in Zimbabwe
School support programs reduce school dropout, early marriage, and early pregnancy for a majority of young orphaned women. We used a mixed-methods approach to examine why these programs are less effective for a significant minority by exploring their influence on marriage and health services utilization. Participants were from a randomized controlled trial testing school support as HIV prevention. Half as many intervention as control participants…
Marital Age Disparity Among Orphaned Young Women and Their Husbands
I thought if I marry the prophet I would not die
This study examines the association between religious affiliation and reasons for marriage, perceived church attitudes, and reproductive health-seeking behaviors, including HIV testing, among young women in eastern rural Zimbabwe. The sample comprised women (N = 35) who had married by 2012 while participating in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effects of school support on HIV-related risk. The RCT sample was identified in 2…
HIV infection and related risk behaviors
Research is limited on whether providing school support to female adolescent orphans mitigates their HIV risk disadvantage compared to other female adolescents. This paper examines 2011 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) HIV-related biomarker and behavior data for orphaned and nonorphaned rural adolescent females to compare findings from a similar sample participating in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing school support as HIV…
Use of HIV and HSV-2 Biomarkers in Sub-Saharan Adolescent Prevention Research
Self-report of sexual behavior among adolescents is notoriously inconsistent, yet such measures are commonly used as outcomes for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention trials. There has been a growing interest in the use of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease biomarkers as more valid measures of intervention impact in high HIV prevalence areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We examine the challenges, benefits, an…
Gender equality and education
Gender equality and education are being promoted as strategies to combat the HIV epidemic in Africa, but few studies have looked at the role of gender equality and education in the uptake of a vital service - HIV testing. This study looks at the associations between education (a key input needed for gender equality) and key gender equality measures (financial decision making and attitudes toward violence) with ever tested for HIV and tested for H…
Consistent condom use among men with non-marital partners in four sub-Saharan African countries
Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys for Namibia, Swaziland, and Zambia and the AIDS Indicator Survey from Tanzania were used to examine the influence of marital status and number of partners on consistent condom use among men with casual sexual partnerships in four generalized HIV epidemic settings. We restrict the sample to the 26% (Zambia), 29% (Tanzania), 35% (Swaziland), and 42% (Namibia) of men, who, in the last 12 months before the…
Preventing HIV by providing support for orphan girls to stay in school
Findings contradict an earlier seminal study that Apostolics are relatively protected from HIV compared to other Christian denominations. Young Apostolic women are at increased risk of HIV infection through early marriage. The Apostolic Church is a large and growing denomination in sub-Saharan Africa and many Apostolic sects discourage medical testing and treatment in favor of faith healing. Since this can increase the risk of undiagnosed HIV inf…
The Measurement of Condom Use in Four Countries in East and Southern Africa
Correlates of Male Condom Use Skills among High-Risk Women in South Africa
This exploratory study examined the performance of 295 South African women--who recently traded sex for goods or had unprotected sex--on a male condom use mastery index. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether age, marital status, highest education obtained, male condom use at first penetrative sex, receiving prior demonstration of male condom use, recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms,…
Correlates of HIV testing among South African women with high sexual and substance-use risk behaviours
Despite its importance in raising awareness of HIV risk behaviour and in linking HIV-positive individuals to care and treatment, research findings indicate that the HIV antibody testing rate in the general South African population remains relatively low, although knowledge of HIV testing services is high. The identification of important correlates of testing behaviour can be used to improve HIV testing campaigns by refining messages that target i…
Exploring the differences and similarities between black/African and coloured men regarding violence against women, substance abuse, and HIV risks in Cape Town, South Africa
Existing research often reports HIV risks, men's relationships with women, substance abuse, and violence among Black/African and Coloured men in Cape Town, South Africa, without making note of possible cultural distinctions. Because of apartheid, race has historically affected the social and economic circumstances of many men differently; therefore, our research aimed to explore cultural nuances as they relate to HIV risk, substance use, and viol…
Alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use and other risk behaviours among Black and Coloured South African women
Assessing the Value of Climate Forecast Information for Pastoralists
Exploring the differences and similarities between black/African and coloured men regarding violence against women, substance abuse, and HIV risks in Cape Town, South Africa
Existing research often reports HIV risks, men's relationships with women, substance abuse, and violence among Black/African and Coloured men in Cape Town, South Africa, without making note of possible cultural distinctions. Because of apartheid, race has historically affected the social and economic circumstances of many men differently; therefore, our research aimed to explore cultural nuances as they relate to HIV risk, substance use, and viol…
Bayesian Herders
Decomposing producer price risk
I thought if I marry the prophet I would not die
This study examines the association between religious affiliation and reasons for marriage, perceived church attitudes, and reproductive health-seeking behaviors, including HIV testing, among young women in eastern rural Zimbabwe. The sample comprised women (N = 35) who had married by 2012 while participating in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effects of school support on HIV-related risk. The RCT sample was identified in 2…
Preventing HIV by providing support for orphan girls to stay in school
Findings contradict an earlier seminal study that Apostolics are relatively protected from HIV compared to other Christian denominations. Young Apostolic women are at increased risk of HIV infection through early marriage. The Apostolic Church is a large and growing denomination in sub-Saharan Africa and many Apostolic sects discourage medical testing and treatment in favor of faith healing. Since this can increase the risk of undiagnosed HIV inf…
Correlates of Male Condom Use Skills among High-Risk Women in South Africa
This exploratory study examined the performance of 295 South African women--who recently traded sex for goods or had unprotected sex--on a male condom use mastery index. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether age, marital status, highest education obtained, male condom use at first penetrative sex, receiving prior demonstration of male condom use, recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms,…
Prioritizing Participant Safety During Online Focus Groups With Women Experiencing Violence
Although researchers have convened focus groups to collect individuals' opinions for some time, many have transitioned data collection from in-person to online groups. Online focus groups became even more important as COVID-19-related restrictions to movement and shared spaces interrupted the ability of researchers to collect data in person. However, little is published about conducting online groups with populations whose physical and emotional …
The Significance of Benefit Perceptions for the Ethics of HIV Research Involving Adolescents in Kenya
Assessment of benefits is traditionally regarded as crucial to the ethical evaluation of research involving human participants. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with health and other professionals engaged with adolescents, caregivers/parents, and adolescents in Siaya County, Kenya, to solicit opinions about appropriate ways of conducting HIV research with adolescents. Our data revealed that many focus group participants have a profound…
Assessing the Value of Climate Forecast Information for Pastoralists
Decomposing producer price risk
Violence against substance-abusing South African sex workers
The Republic of South Africa has become an epicentre of heterosexual HIV transmission among Black women, and the interface between violence against women, substance abuse, and HIV risk is becoming evident. This paper describes the characteristics of Black South African women who engage in sex work in Pretoria and examines their intersecting experiences of high-risk sexual behaviour, substance abuse, and victimization. Ninety-three women were recr…
Substance Use, Sexual Risk, and Violence
Bayesian Herders
Alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use and other risk behaviours among Black and Coloured South African women
Correlates of HIV testing among South African women with high sexual and substance-use risk behaviours
Despite its importance in raising awareness of HIV risk behaviour and in linking HIV-positive individuals to care and treatment, research findings indicate that the HIV antibody testing rate in the general South African population remains relatively low, although knowledge of HIV testing services is high. The identification of important correlates of testing behaviour can be used to improve HIV testing campaigns by refining messages that target i…
Exploring the differences and similarities between black/African and coloured men regarding violence against women, substance abuse, and HIV risks in Cape Town, South Africa
Existing research often reports HIV risks, men's relationships with women, substance abuse, and violence among Black/African and Coloured men in Cape Town, South Africa, without making note of possible cultural distinctions. Because of apartheid, race has historically affected the social and economic circumstances of many men differently; therefore, our research aimed to explore cultural nuances as they relate to HIV risk, substance use, and viol…
Correlates of Male Condom Use Skills among High-Risk Women in South Africa
This exploratory study examined the performance of 295 South African women--who recently traded sex for goods or had unprotected sex--on a male condom use mastery index. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether age, marital status, highest education obtained, male condom use at first penetrative sex, receiving prior demonstration of male condom use, recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms,…
The Measurement of Condom Use in Four Countries in East and Southern Africa
Gender equality and education
Gender equality and education are being promoted as strategies to combat the HIV epidemic in Africa, but few studies have looked at the role of gender equality and education in the uptake of a vital service - HIV testing. This study looks at the associations between education (a key input needed for gender equality) and key gender equality measures (financial decision making and attitudes toward violence) with ever tested for HIV and tested for H…
Consistent condom use among men with non-marital partners in four sub-Saharan African countries
Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys for Namibia, Swaziland, and Zambia and the AIDS Indicator Survey from Tanzania were used to examine the influence of marital status and number of partners on consistent condom use among men with casual sexual partnerships in four generalized HIV epidemic settings. We restrict the sample to the 26% (Zambia), 29% (Tanzania), 35% (Swaziland), and 42% (Namibia) of men, who, in the last 12 months before the…
Preventing HIV by providing support for orphan girls to stay in school
Findings contradict an earlier seminal study that Apostolics are relatively protected from HIV compared to other Christian denominations. Young Apostolic women are at increased risk of HIV infection through early marriage. The Apostolic Church is a large and growing denomination in sub-Saharan Africa and many Apostolic sects discourage medical testing and treatment in favor of faith healing. Since this can increase the risk of undiagnosed HIV inf…
Use of HIV and HSV-2 Biomarkers in Sub-Saharan Adolescent Prevention Research
Self-report of sexual behavior among adolescents is notoriously inconsistent, yet such measures are commonly used as outcomes for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention trials. There has been a growing interest in the use of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease biomarkers as more valid measures of intervention impact in high HIV prevalence areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We examine the challenges, benefits, an…
HIV infection and related risk behaviors
Research is limited on whether providing school support to female adolescent orphans mitigates their HIV risk disadvantage compared to other female adolescents. This paper examines 2011 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) HIV-related biomarker and behavior data for orphaned and nonorphaned rural adolescent females to compare findings from a similar sample participating in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing school support as HIV…
Influence of school support on early marriage experiences and health services utilization among young orphaned women in Zimbabwe
School support programs reduce school dropout, early marriage, and early pregnancy for a majority of young orphaned women. We used a mixed-methods approach to examine why these programs are less effective for a significant minority by exploring their influence on marriage and health services utilization. Participants were from a randomized controlled trial testing school support as HIV prevention. Half as many intervention as control participants…
Marital Age Disparity Among Orphaned Young Women and Their Husbands
I thought if I marry the prophet I would not die
This study examines the association between religious affiliation and reasons for marriage, perceived church attitudes, and reproductive health-seeking behaviors, including HIV testing, among young women in eastern rural Zimbabwe. The sample comprised women (N = 35) who had married by 2012 while participating in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the effects of school support on HIV-related risk. The RCT sample was identified in 2…
Experiences along the HIV care continuum
To be effective, HIV programmes should be responsive to the unique needs of diverse groups of infected adolescents. We highlight a range of adolescent perspectives on HIV services, including those who acquired HIV perinatally or sexually and those who were either in care, had dropped out of care, or had never enrolled in care. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 adolescents (aged 15-19) and 14 caregivers in western Kenya. Data were an…
The Significance of Benefit Perceptions for the Ethics of HIV Research Involving Adolescents in Kenya
Assessment of benefits is traditionally regarded as crucial to the ethical evaluation of research involving human participants. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with health and other professionals engaged with adolescents, caregivers/parents, and adolescents in Siaya County, Kenya, to solicit opinions about appropriate ways of conducting HIV research with adolescents. Our data revealed that many focus group participants have a profound…
I think the parent should be there because no one was born alone”
Despite a pressing need for adolescent HIV research in sub-Saharan Africa, ethical guidance for conducting research among minor adolescents is lacking. One ethical issue is the degree to which parents should be involved in the research process. The existing discourse is predominantly speculative and focuses on negative consequences of parental involvement. We use empirical data to describe the perspectives of Kenyan adolescents on parental involv…
Consent Challenges and Psychosocial Distress in the Scale-up of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Adolescents in Western Kenya
If the mother does not know, there is no way she can tell the adolescent to go for drugs”
Suicide behaviour among adolescents in a high HIV prevalence region of western Kenya
The study purpose was to determine the prevalence and determinants of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in a rural community sample of 15-19-year-old Kenyan adolescents in a region with high HIV burden. Data were from an observational study examining ethical issues in adolescent HIV research ( N =4084). Participants reporting suicidal ideation were assessed for suicide risk. Directed content analyses were conducted using assessment reports. Logist…
Pathways to Depression and Poor Quality of Life Among Adolescents in Western Kenya
Medicine (25 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (23 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (18 works) · Psychology (18 works) · Family medicine (14 works) · Environmental health (13 works) · Psychiatry (13 works) · Population (11 works) · Sociology (11 works) · Demography (10 works)