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Papers by Jose Castro

Summary: This study attempted to determine the acceptability of neonatal circumcision in Hispanic... more Summary: This study attempted to determine the acceptability of neonatal circumcision in Hispanic expectant and new parents and to explore potential associations with lower acceptability. Overall, we found surprisingly high rates of acceptability in this community that contrasts with the actual low rates of circumcision in Hispanics in the USA. This gap is important since newborn circumcision has been suggested as an additional long-range tool in reducing longstanding ethnic disparities in HIV incidence in the USA. A larger study will be needed to determine what factors are associated with low acceptability and how one might effectively address these concerns in this population.

Background: Better understanding of the use of newer HIV prevention methods, their offerings, and... more Background: Better understanding of the use of newer HIV prevention methods, their offerings, and combinations for high-risk populations needs to be established. It is also necessary to quantify the awareness of non-AIDS complications by individuals at high risk of HIV infection. This study sought to obtain data about the preferences for effective biomedical interventions, as well as HIV awareness and self-perceived HIV risk, by individuals from diverse ethnic, racial, educational and economic backgrounds comprising Miami STD clinic population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to assess knowledge and preference of traditional (condoms) and new biomedical methods to prevent HIV (Circumcision [C], Pre-exposure prophylaxis [PreP], and microbicides [M]) in STD clinic patients. After an initial assessment, the study coordinator provided basic descriptions of three new methods of HIV prevention using a recorded video and/or pamphlets. The relative preference for each of these pr...

British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 2015

Aims-To report on a case of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis in a patient with acquired immun... more Aims-To report on a case of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV); and to review the literature focusing on: cases reported, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Presentation of Case-A 38-year-old woman with AIDS presented with a 10-day history of progressive bilateral visual loss and ocular pain. She had bilateral dilated pupils with no light perception; the fundoscopic examination was normal. Facial herpes zoster lesions appeared on the second day of hospitalization Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were compatible with a bilateral optic neuritis; the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed pleocytosis, increased proteins and a positive VZV-DNA PCR. She was treated with intravenous acyclovir and corticosteroids and was able, when discharged 2 weeks after admission, to carry out activities of daily living. Discussion-VZV retrobulbar optic neuritis has previously been reported in 12 patients with AIDS, more than half of the cases had concomitant herpes zoster and an associated retinopathy. A positive VZV-DNA in the CSF is indicative of VZV infection, initial use of intravenous acyclovir is recommended, and the concomitant use of corticosteroids would be a prudent choice; the duration of antiviral therapy remains undefined. Conclusion-VZV retrobulbar optic neuritis in AIDS patients can occur with or without herpes zoster. It is a sight-threatening infectious and inflammatory process requiring the advice of specialists in infectious diseases, ophthalmology, neurology and viral microbiology.

Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2013

Hispanic health care international : the official journal of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, 2012

The objectives of this study were assessment of the prevalence of male circumcision (MC) among pa... more The objectives of this study were assessment of the prevalence of male circumcision (MC) among patients attending the Miami-Dade County (MDC) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clinic and exploration of attitudes of MC among Hispanic STD clinic attendees. Prevalence of MC was assessed by a review of 500 clinic records. Attitudes toward MC were explored during focus group sessions. The overall rate of MC was 27%. Men associated acceptability of MC with sexual performance, their partner's anticipated responses to MC, and scientific proof of STD protection; whereas women focused on experiences with previous partners and hygiene. We found a low rate of circumcision in males attending the MDC STD clinic. Approximately half of the Hispanic men and women in focus groups also found MC acceptable or desirable.

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Jan 20, 2014

Participants were recruited from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Florida and were ... more Participants were recruited from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Florida and were assessed regarding the knowledge and awareness of non-AIDS conditions associated with HIV infection. Questionnaires were administered before and after a brief information session on non-AIDS conditions associated with HIV infection. Participants included men (n = 46) and women (n = 51). Prior to the information session, at baseline, only 34% of the participants were worried about HIV infection. Most participants (82%) agreed that HIV could be treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), while only 38% were aware that HIV-associated conditions cannot be easily treated with ART. After the information session, almost all participants reported they were concerned regarding the risk of HIV infection. High-risk patients may have limited knowledge about the consequences of HIV infection beyond the traditional AIDS-associated conditions. Increased awareness of these less known consequences of HIV ...

HIV/AIDS (Auckland, N.Z.), 2014

The objective of this pilot study was to explore the knowledge of and preferences regarding effec... more The objective of this pilot study was to explore the knowledge of and preferences regarding effective biomedical interventions among high risk individuals attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic, and to examine the effect of a brief information intervention on preference. Participants completed a baseline assessment, attended a presentation on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention methods, and completed a postintervention assessment. Outcome measures included: demographics and sexual risk factors, self-perceived HIV risk, and knowledge and attitudes regarding new biomedical methods of HIV prevention. After the baseline evaluation, participants were provided with information on new biomedical prevention strategies. Participants were given the option to review the information by reading a pamphlet or by viewing a brief video containing the same information. Participants (n=97) were female (n=51) and male (n=46). At baseline, only a small minority of participants were ...

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2010

e77 partner) decisions about HCT. The margin of error was set at 5% and degree of confidence 95%.... more e77 partner) decisions about HCT. The margin of error was set at 5% and degree of confidence 95%. Results: Acceptance of HIV testing among the interviewed pregnant women was 74.5%. Stigma and discrimination by the community, husband reaction and fear of positive test result were reasons that impede higher acceptance of HIV testing. Acceptance of HIV testing was significantly associated with pregnant women who had attended formal education, reside in urban area, living with their partners and those mentioned ART as PMTCT. Only 27% of pregnant women could decide independently on accepting HIV testing. Male partners, who came to health centers along with their partners for ANC and HIV testing, were only 5.1%. Two third of the study participants (65.5%) have no habit of open discussion on HIV/STI with their male partners. Most women with positive test result do not disclose their test result to their partners. Pregnant women who could get partner support with positive test result were more likely to accept HIV testing than their counterparts. Conclusion: HIV testing acceptance is encouraging but men's involvement was found to be low and they appear to be the secrete ingredient of PMTCT intervention. Generally, pregnant women need their male partners' positive attitude and support to accept HIV testing. Hence PMTCT programs should give emphasis on involvement of male partners.

The 2008 National …, 2008