Avy Violari
Biographic Data
| ID | 193541 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Avy Violari |
| GIVEN NAMES | Avy |
| FAMILY NAME | Violari |
| SIGNATURE | VIOLARI A |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of the Witwatersrand |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9437-776X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
It Is Not My Business’
Community violence is linked to adverse social and health outcomes such as trauma, depression and injury. South Africa has high rates of community violence, particularly in townships where higher rates of poverty and unemployment are reported. The purpose of this study was to understand adolescent boys’ experiences, perceptions, and responses to community violence. We used a qualitative design, conducting in-depth interviews with 48 adolescent bo…
Oral health and behavioral problems in children living with and without HIV in South Africa
The prevalence of behavioral problems in children and adolescents living with HIV is high. We investigate associations between oral microbiota and behavioral problems in children living with HIV (CLWH) and children who are HIV-uninfected (CHU). Oral swab samples, assessment of behavioral functioning using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and clinical and social data were collected from 477 CLWH and 123 CHU at two sites in Johan…
The role of masculinity in HIV disclosure among adolescent South African boys living with HIV
HIV transmission among adolescents remains a pressing public health challenge in South Africa. Onward HIV disclosure to sexual partners can reduce transmission, but disclosure is low among adolescents. Adherence to hegemonic masculine norms may create a barrier to disclosure among boys. Repeated measures designs are necessary to more accurately capture disclosure, which is an ongoing behavior shaped by multiple processes. 251 South African adoles…
To Have a Father, Maybe I Was Going to be a Better Person”
Biological father absence affects children’s well-being and development, with effects that can persist into adulthood due to associated factors such as economic hardship and psychological distress. In South Africa, where approximately 63% of children are not living with their biological fathers, understanding how this absence affects young people is crucial. This study explores how the absence of biological fathers impacts adolescent boys as they…
Daily Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Adolescent Boys in Soweto, South Africa
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major global health concern and is particularly high among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. We collected weekly surveys for one year from 421 South African adolescent boys and conducted interviews with 48 participants. Quantitative analyses revealed that daily fluctuations in negative emotions were associated with higher odds of IPV perpetration, but binge drinking was not. Qualitative analyses highlighted a…
Violence and Depression Among Adolescent Boys in Soweto, South Africa, 2020‒2023
Objectives. To identify if violence is associated with adolescent depression by leveraging data from a longitudinal, repeated measures study among adolescent boys from an underrepresented context. Methods. South African adolescent boys (n = 498) enrolled between 2020 and 2023. Participants reported lifetime violence exposure and depression symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Over the study year, participants reported past-week violence exp…
Violence as an obstacle to HIV medication adherence and viral suppression
Pathways between adverse childhood experiences and viral suppression among male HIV-infected adolescents in South Africa
Fewer adolescents achieve viral suppression compared to adults. One impediment may be a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). To better develop targets and timeframes for intervention, this study created more robust estimates of the impact of cumulative adversity on viral suppression, tested whether the association is sensitive to the timing of adversity, and simultaneously tested several potential mechanisms. We focus on males, who ha…
HIV Stigma, Health, and Violence
Disclosure to South African children about their own HIV status over time
Disclosure to children living with HIV (CLHIV) about their own status is associated with positive outcomes such as treatment adherence, but prior cross-sectional studies in sub-Saharan Africa report disclosure rates of <50%. This study aims to assess pediatric disclosure over time. 548 CLHIV were followed from 2/2013-4/2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Cumulative incidence of disclosure was calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis, and disclosure …
Optimizing the World Health Organization algorithm for HIV vertical transmission risk assessment by adding maternal self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence
In the absence of a VL result, mothers' self-reported adherence at delivery increases the number of identified infants eligible to receive enhanced post-natal prophylaxis
Growing up positive
Over three million youth live with HIV worldwide. Very little is known about whether youth disclose their HIV status to family, friends or sexual partners, and what risks and benefits may accrue from doing so. This study characterizes HIV disclosure among 250 youth with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV; age 13-24 years) living in Soweto, South Africa. A third had self-disclosed their HIV status to at least one person; similarly, only a third of sex…
Educational delays among children living with perinatally-acquired HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa
Little is known about how growing up with HIV impacts educational outcomes in sub-Saharan African children. We evaluated if South African children living with HIV (CLWH) were in the appropriate school grade-for-age compared to uninfected control children. We observed higher rates of not being in the correct grade-for-age in CLWH compared with controls (OR 3.32, 95% CI: 2.07-5.34), adjusted for study site, sex, whether the child's biological fathe…
Stigma, Depression, and Substance Use Problems Among Perinatally HIV-Infected Youth in South Africa
Extent of disclosure
How and when to disclose a positive HIV diagnosis to an infected child is a complex challenge for caregivers and healthcare workers. With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, pediatric HIV infection has transitioned from a fatal disease to a lifelong chronic illness, thus increasing the need to address the disclosure process. As HIV-infected children mature, begin to take part in management of their own health care, and potentially initiat…
Hopes, fears, knowledge and misunderstandings
Little is known about how HIV-positive mothers experience and react to knowing the HIV status of their baby as diagnosed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at 4-6 weeks. This qualitative study drew on interviews with 20 mothers of HIV-negative and 18 mothers of HIV-positive babies after receiving their baby's PCR results. Thematic analysis combined exploration of themes that appeared significant to the participants and those relevant to …
Early Antiretroviral Therapy and Mortality among HIV-Infected Infants
BACKGROUND: In countries with a high seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV infection contributes significantly to infant mortality. We investigated antiretroviral-treatment strategies in the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy (CHER) trial. METHODS: HIV-infected infants 6 to 12 weeks of age with a CD4 lymphocyte percentage (the CD4 percentage) of 25% or more were randomly assigned to receive antiretroviral …
The effects of adult morbidity and mortality on household welfare and the well-being of children in Soweto
This is the first description of the effects of adult morbidity and mortality on children residing in Soweto, an urban African setting in South Africa, in the era of HIV/AIDS. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional household survey in Soweto identified by a stratified, two-stage cluster sample. In total, 4912 households were surveyed: 4501 households with children and 411 households with no children under the age of 16 years. We present detai…
The effects of adult morbidity and mortality on household welfare and the well-being of children in Soweto
This is the first description of the effects of adult morbidity and mortality on children residing in Soweto, an urban African setting in South Africa, in the era of HIV/AIDS. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional household survey in Soweto identified by a stratified, two-stage cluster sample. In total, 4912 households were surveyed: 4501 households with children and 411 households with no children under the age of 16 years. We present detai…
The effects of adult morbidity and mortality on household welfare and the well-being of children in Soweto
This is the first description of the effects of adult morbidity and mortality on children residing in Soweto, an urban African setting in South Africa, in the era of HIV/AIDS. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional household survey in Soweto identified by a stratified, two-stage cluster sample. In total, 4912 households were surveyed: 4501 households with children and 411 households with no children under the age of 16 years. We present detai…
Early Antiretroviral Therapy and Mortality among HIV-Infected Infants
BACKGROUND: In countries with a high seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV infection contributes significantly to infant mortality. We investigated antiretroviral-treatment strategies in the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy (CHER) trial. METHODS: HIV-infected infants 6 to 12 weeks of age with a CD4 lymphocyte percentage (the CD4 percentage) of 25% or more were randomly assigned to receive antiretroviral …
Hopes, fears, knowledge and misunderstandings
Little is known about how HIV-positive mothers experience and react to knowing the HIV status of their baby as diagnosed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at 4-6 weeks. This qualitative study drew on interviews with 20 mothers of HIV-negative and 18 mothers of HIV-positive babies after receiving their baby's PCR results. Thematic analysis combined exploration of themes that appeared significant to the participants and those relevant to …
Extent of disclosure
How and when to disclose a positive HIV diagnosis to an infected child is a complex challenge for caregivers and healthcare workers. With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, pediatric HIV infection has transitioned from a fatal disease to a lifelong chronic illness, thus increasing the need to address the disclosure process. As HIV-infected children mature, begin to take part in management of their own health care, and potentially initiat…
Stigma, Depression, and Substance Use Problems Among Perinatally HIV-Infected Youth in South Africa
Growing up positive
Over three million youth live with HIV worldwide. Very little is known about whether youth disclose their HIV status to family, friends or sexual partners, and what risks and benefits may accrue from doing so. This study characterizes HIV disclosure among 250 youth with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV; age 13-24 years) living in Soweto, South Africa. A third had self-disclosed their HIV status to at least one person; similarly, only a third of sex…
Educational delays among children living with perinatally-acquired HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa
Little is known about how growing up with HIV impacts educational outcomes in sub-Saharan African children. We evaluated if South African children living with HIV (CLWH) were in the appropriate school grade-for-age compared to uninfected control children. We observed higher rates of not being in the correct grade-for-age in CLWH compared with controls (OR 3.32, 95% CI: 2.07-5.34), adjusted for study site, sex, whether the child's biological fathe…
Optimizing the World Health Organization algorithm for HIV vertical transmission risk assessment by adding maternal self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence
In the absence of a VL result, mothers' self-reported adherence at delivery increases the number of identified infants eligible to receive enhanced post-natal prophylaxis
Disclosure to South African children about their own HIV status over time
Disclosure to children living with HIV (CLHIV) about their own status is associated with positive outcomes such as treatment adherence, but prior cross-sectional studies in sub-Saharan Africa report disclosure rates of <50%. This study aims to assess pediatric disclosure over time. 548 CLHIV were followed from 2/2013-4/2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Cumulative incidence of disclosure was calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis, and disclosure …
Pathways between adverse childhood experiences and viral suppression among male HIV-infected adolescents in South Africa
Fewer adolescents achieve viral suppression compared to adults. One impediment may be a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). To better develop targets and timeframes for intervention, this study created more robust estimates of the impact of cumulative adversity on viral suppression, tested whether the association is sensitive to the timing of adversity, and simultaneously tested several potential mechanisms. We focus on males, who ha…
HIV Stigma, Health, and Violence
Oral health and behavioral problems in children living with and without HIV in South Africa
The prevalence of behavioral problems in children and adolescents living with HIV is high. We investigate associations between oral microbiota and behavioral problems in children living with HIV (CLWH) and children who are HIV-uninfected (CHU). Oral swab samples, assessment of behavioral functioning using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and clinical and social data were collected from 477 CLWH and 123 CHU at two sites in Johan…
The role of masculinity in HIV disclosure among adolescent South African boys living with HIV
HIV transmission among adolescents remains a pressing public health challenge in South Africa. Onward HIV disclosure to sexual partners can reduce transmission, but disclosure is low among adolescents. Adherence to hegemonic masculine norms may create a barrier to disclosure among boys. Repeated measures designs are necessary to more accurately capture disclosure, which is an ongoing behavior shaped by multiple processes. 251 South African adoles…
To Have a Father, Maybe I Was Going to be a Better Person”
Biological father absence affects children’s well-being and development, with effects that can persist into adulthood due to associated factors such as economic hardship and psychological distress. In South Africa, where approximately 63% of children are not living with their biological fathers, understanding how this absence affects young people is crucial. This study explores how the absence of biological fathers impacts adolescent boys as they…
Daily Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Adolescent Boys in Soweto, South Africa
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major global health concern and is particularly high among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. We collected weekly surveys for one year from 421 South African adolescent boys and conducted interviews with 48 participants. Quantitative analyses revealed that daily fluctuations in negative emotions were associated with higher odds of IPV perpetration, but binge drinking was not. Qualitative analyses highlighted a…
Violence and Depression Among Adolescent Boys in Soweto, South Africa, 2020‒2023
Objectives. To identify if violence is associated with adolescent depression by leveraging data from a longitudinal, repeated measures study among adolescent boys from an underrepresented context. Methods. South African adolescent boys (n = 498) enrolled between 2020 and 2023. Participants reported lifetime violence exposure and depression symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Over the study year, participants reported past-week violence exp…
Violence as an obstacle to HIV medication adherence and viral suppression
It Is Not My Business’
Community violence is linked to adverse social and health outcomes such as trauma, depression and injury. South Africa has high rates of community violence, particularly in townships where higher rates of poverty and unemployment are reported. The purpose of this study was to understand adolescent boys’ experiences, perceptions, and responses to community violence. We used a qualitative design, conducting in-depth interviews with 48 adolescent bo…
Medicine (15 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (12 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (12 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Family medicine (8 works) · Environmental health (6 works) · Psychiatry (6 works) · Demography (5 works) · Poison control (5 works)