PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The purpose of the Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31) is to provide the candidate
with mentoring and research experiences that will promote candidate’s development as an independent
researcher, with particular emphasis in spatial-temporal trend and longitudinal analysis as well as multi-level
modeling in maternal and child health among populations diagnosed with syphilis. Objectives of the training are
to develop knowledge and skills to: 1) gain research experience using state-of-the-art methods using a large
longitudinal surveillance dataset and publish the research findings as the first author; 2) advance
epidemiological training focused on knowledge of the epidemiology of substance abuse and sexually
transmitted infections and gain statistical skills for mediation and longitudinal analyses; and 3) obtain Skills for
a successful academic career and professional development, including ethics, the dissemination of research
findings, and the development of collaborative scientific relationships. Training activities will include didactic
coursework and specific workshops, directed readings and one-on-one tutorials with mentors, and instruction
in the responsible conduct of research. The candidate will receive mentorship from a Training Committee
comprised of nationally renowned experts in the fields of substance use, maternal and child health, sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), and longitudinal data analysis at the University of California, Los Angeles. The
specific aims of the proposed research are to: 1) measure spatial-temporal trends in methamphetamine (meth)
use incidence rates among women of reproductive age (15-44 years old), pregnant women, and congenital
syphilis (CS) case mothers who are diagnosed with syphilis in Los Angeles County between 2011 and 2020; 2)
determine whether temporal trends in prenatal care visits, syphilis treatment during pregnancy, and delivery of
infants with CS among pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis differ by meth use; and 3) apply syndemic
theory to examine meth use, high-risk sexual behaviors, homelessness, and social vulnerabilities that co-occur
and test how the co-occurrence of these factors are associated with no prenatal care and CS incidents among
pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis. The research aims will be accomplished by conducting spatial-
temporal trend analysis and advanced statistics such as structural equation modeling and cross-legged panel
modeling. Quantitative data will come from STD surveillance system and sample size will be determined by the
number of women at reproductive age diagnosed with syphilis (N=6,014) and infants born with syphilis (N=426)
in Los Angeles County between 2011 and 2020. Findings from the proposed research will position the
candidate to propose a F32 or K01 proposal to pilot test a theoretically-driven, mixed methods intervention that
addresses the multiplicity of risks among meth using women in the context of STDs and access to reproductive
health.
