Arnold School of Public Health

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Arnold School of Public Health
University of South Carolina
800 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC 29208

Phone: 803-777-5032
Fax: 803-777-4783

Myriam E. Torres PhD, MSPH Clinical Assistant Professor Director, Consortium for Latino Immigration Studies , 109 730 Devine Street Columbia, SC 29201 Secondary Address: Health Sciences Building, 208C 800 Sumter St. Columbia, SC 29208 Phone: (803) 777-2598 Fax: (803) 251-0318 Email: torresme@mailbox.sc.edu
Biographical Information: 1981, Nursing, Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 1987, M.P.H., Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 1991, M.S.P.H., Epidemiology, University of South Carolina 2001, Ph.D., Epidemiology, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
Interest: - Hispanic/Latino health issues - Perinatal issues among Latinas - HIV/AIDS among Latino populations - International research
Research: Empowering Latinas to Lash Out Against AIDS/STIs (ELLAS). Source: National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDS and TB Prevention/CDC (2007-2011) PI: Myriam E. Torres, PhD, MSPH. Goals: To develop and pilot test a perinatal HIV prevention program for Latinas in SC. Initially, we will conduct a cross-sectional study utilizing a survey with pregnant Latinas to gather data regarding their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about HIV/AIDS transmission, intention to take an HIV test and knowledge about the testing and counseling being offered and administered by health care providers. The survey will also explore the sources Latina women prefer to use to obtain messages on HIV testing and education. In addition, we will use focus groups to explore more in-depth factors and possible barriers related to a Latina’s decision to seek early prenatal care (during the first trimester) and to take the HIV test during her pregnancy. We will also conduct interviews with health care providers to determine any perceived barriers to counseling and administering the HIV (and other STI) test to pregnant Latinas in South Carolina. Based on the formative assessment, we will develop and pilot test the ELLAS Program. Culturally tailored materials such as Spanish videos on the benefits of early prenatal care and HIV testing to prevent perinatal transmission will be developed for use by the health care providers, culturally appropriate materials and messages will also be developed for dissemination among the Latino communities and a training will be created to assist health care facilities provide culturally appropriate care to their pregnant Latina patients.
Courses Taught: EPID J700 - Introduction to Epidemiology EPID 700 - Introduction to Epidemiology USC Honors College - Mexican Migration and Health in Xalapa Mexico
Selected Publications: Gutiérrez ML, and Torres ME. Comparative Analysis of the Health Diagnosis of School Aged Children from Nurses, Physicians, and Dentists. First Pan-American Conference in Nursing Research: Memories. Colombian Association of Nursing Schools. Bogotá, Colombia. Sept 20-23, 1988. Scott WK, Huang Y, Cornman C, Neff L, Torres ME, Otterness C, Eleazer P, and Macera CA. Alzheimer’s Disease in South Carolina, 1994. The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association. Vol. 91. Number 6. Pp 257-259. 1995. Thompson SJ, Torres ME, Stevenson RE Dean JH, Best RG. Periconceptional Multivitamin Folic Acid Use, Dietary Folate and Risk of Occurrent Neural Tube Defects in a high risk Population. Annals of Epidemiology. Vol. 13. Pp. 412-418. 2003. Zhang J, Li Y, Torres ME. How does a suicide attempter eat differently from others? Comparison of macronutrient intakes. Nutrition. Vol 21. Number 6. pp 711-717. 2005. Ogbuanu IU, Torres ME, Kettinger L, Albrecht H, and Duffus W. Epidemiologic Characterization of Individuals with Newly Reported HIV-Infection in South Carolina, May 2004 to April 2005. Am J Public Health 2007 Nov 29. Yanfeng Li, Qi Dai, Myriam E. Torres and Jian Zhang. Gender-specific association between iron status and the history of attempted suicide: Implications for gender paradox of suicide behaviors. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2007; Volume 31, Issue 7, October 2007, Pages 1429-1435 Torres ME, Parra-Medina D, Johnson A, Bellinger J, Probst JA. Rural Hospitals and Spanish Speaking Patients with Limited English Proficiency. Journal of Healthcare Management. 2007. (Manuscript accepted for publication).

Columbia, SC 29208 • 803-777-5032 • sphweb@gwm.sc.edu

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