ISSN 2736-1748
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Factors associated with utilization of HAART amongst hard-to-reach HIV-infected individuals in Atlanta, Georgia
Paulina Rebolledo1, Ekaterina Kourbatova1, Richard Rothenberg2 and Carlos del Rio3*
1Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
2Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
3Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Accepted 09 February, 2020
Abstract
The study is aimed at identifying clinical, demographic and behavioral factors, including participation in HIV care, associated with the utilization of antiretroviral therapy (ART), among hard-to-reach HIV-positive individuals in Atlanta, GA. The study included 184 HIV-positive participants of the Infectious Disease Program (IDP) of the Grady Health System between February 1999 to March 2001. Individuals were categorized as regular attendees (those who consistently kept their outpatient appointments, n = 65), irregular (those who inconsistently kept their appointments, n = 60) or non-attendees (those who failed routinely to keep their appointments, n = 59). Univariate and multivariate analyses using log-binomial regression modeling were done. HIV-infected individuals who consistently kept their appointments at the IDP received ART at a frequency (86%) that is twice that of those who missed some appointments (42%) and four times that of those who routinely failed to keep appointments (20%). In multivariate analysis, category of clinic attendance (regular, irregular or non-attendee) was the only risk factor independently associated with utilization of ART: Regular attendees (RR = 3.59, 95% CI 2.12 to 6.08) and irregular attendees (RR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.28 to 4.01) compared to non-attendees. The positive association between routine clinic attendance and use of antiretroviral therapy observed in this study should encourage the development of strategies to retain patients in outpatient HIV care.
Key words: Antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected individuals, Georgia.
Ekaterina Kourbatova, Richard Rothenberg and Carlos del Rio*, Paulina Rebolledo
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and body mass index (BMI) relationship in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria and the neighbouring states
K. B. Mustapha1*, T. S. Ehianeta2, R. A. Kirim1, F. T. Osungwu3 and D. K. Oladepo4
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Quality Control, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
3National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development Clinic, Abuja, Nigeria.
4Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
Accepted 15 January, 2020
Abstract
This study was set to establish the relationship between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and body mass index (BMI) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the neighbouring states within Nigeria- a representative data for sub-Sahara Africa. The study made use of 3 groupings: 44 healthy individuals, 79 HAART-treated HIV (human immuno deficiency syndrome) infected individuals and 21 non-HAART treated HIV-infected individuals from a pool of 402 subjects and age, weight and height were documented and statistically analyzed (Graph Pad, Prism 3). The result showed that significant weight loss was typified by low BMI values (<20) presented in non-HAART HIV-infected subjects. The trend of BMI cum weight loss in HIV infected subjects follows the order: non-HAART PLWHA > HAART treated PLWHA > healthy subjects. It was found that weight loss and consequently low BMI is not gender-dependent in HAART and non-HAART subjects.
Key words: Body mass index (BMI), highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
R. A. Kirim, T. S. Ehianeta, F. T. Osungwu and D. K. Oladepo, K. B. Mustapha*
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Contraceptive uptake, reproductive choices and sexual behavior of HIV positive compared to HIV negative women participating in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV program in Zimbabwe
Kurewa N. E.1*, Munjoma M. W.2, Hussain A.3, Chirenje Z. M.2, Sebit M. B.4 and Stray-Pedersen B.5
1Letten Foundation Research Center, No. 3 Everrette Clause, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Zimbabwe.
3Department of International Community Health, University of Oslo Norway, Zimbabwe.
4Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Zimbabwe.
5Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet Oslo Norway, Zimbabwe.
Accepted 11 February, 2020
Abstract
Contraceptive uptake and pregnancy desires have not been adequately reported within prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) initiatives in developing countries. Women were enrolled from a PMTCT program at 36 gestational weeks. A questionnaire on contraception and conception desires was interview administered to the women between 3 and 24 months after birth. A total of 273 women responded to the questionnaire, 189 HIV infected and 84 HIV negative. Significant differences were observed by HIV status for all types of contraception with 22% of the HIV infected women reporting none usage compared to 14% for HIV negatives (p < 0.001). Over 50% of the HIV infected women reported using condoms compared to 13% among the negatives (p < 0.001), whereas 13% of HIV infected women expressed desire for subsequent children. More than 60% of the women did not know their sexual partner’s HIV status regardless of their own, whilst 25% of the HIV infected had not disclosed their status to their sexual partners. Contraceptive use was high regardless of women’s HIV status, whereas a high proportion of HIV negative women were not using condoms. Some of the HIV infected women expressed future pregnancy desires whilst others had not disclosed their HIV status.
Key words: HIV, PMTCT, contraception, disclosure.
Sebit M. B and Stray-Pedersen B, Kurewa N. E*, Chirenje Z. M, Hussain A, Munjoma M. W
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-002, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Confronting HIV and AIDS in Bangladesh
Shakeel Ahmed Ibne Mahmood
1Youth Wing, National AIDS Committee, Bangladesh.
2AED, Center on AIDS and Community Health, USA. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 04 September, 2019
Abstract
The world continues to fight HIV, as global leaders have pledged to work towards gaining universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, thereby recognizing these as fundamental human rights. According to one source, millions of people are continually infected with HIV every year, while less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services. The theme for the second year running of World AIDS Day celebration is “Universal Access and Human Rights”, which demonstrates an increasing clamour to gain access to HIV treatment services. Thus, there is need for a greater commitment around the world, if the aim of gaining universal access to HIV services is to be accomplished.
Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, universal access and human rights, treatment, prevention.
Shakeel Ahmed Ibne Mahmood
Page: 1 - 2
Short Communication
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Screening for the presence of Helicobacter pylori in stool of HIV- positive patients
Hossein Samadi Kafil1*, Fatemeh Farahi Jahromi 1, Bahareh Hajikhani2, Shahin Najar Pirayeh3 and Mohammad Aghazadeh4
1Student Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2Avicenna Research institute, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3Department of Medical Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
4Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Accepted 14 October, 2019
Abstract
Helicobacter Pylori is a bacillus that naturally colonizes humans, living in gastric mucus. Association of H. pylori colonization of stomach with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric malignancies has been well documented. In this study, we aimed to find presence of H. pylori in stool of HIV infected patients by PCR. 43 patients who had confirmed HIV-infection were subjected. Specific primers for hpaA (flagellar sheath adhesin) and ureB (urea amidohydrolase), of H. pylori were designed and, presence of the genome of H. pylori investigated by PCR method. 35 of the patients (81.39%) had CD4+ count below 200 and H. pylori was found in 30 patients (69.76%). Results show from screening by H. pylori in stool of HIV-infected patients that prevalence of this bacterium in these patients is high. This prevalence is similar to prevalence of H. pylori in HIV-non infected population.
Key words: Helicobacter pylori, HIV, flagellar sheath adhesin (hpaA), urea amidohydrolase (ureB), gastric.
Shahin Najar Pirayeh and Mohammad Aghazadeh, Fatemeh Farahi Jahromi, Hossein Samadi Kafil*, Bahareh Hajikhani
Page: 1 - 3
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Attitude and perception of cardiothoracic surgeons in Nigeria and Ghana to patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Kesieme E. B.1*, Kesieme C. N.2, Ekpe E. E.3 and Delia I. Z.4
1Department of Surgery, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria.
2Department of Paediatrics, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria.
3Department of Surgery, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
4Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
Accepted 18 October, 2019
Abstract
Cardiothoracic operations are associated with increased exposure and risk of blood and blood borne diseases. This is true in the West African Subregion where HIV/AIDS is endemic. We aimed to survey the attitude and perception of cardiothoracic surgeons in Nigeria and Ghana to patients with HIV/AIDS who presented with common cardiothoracic and vascular pathologies that would otherwise normally have low mortality rate. Data collection was by a structured questionnaire which was sent to all consultants/specialists and senior registrars practising cardiothoracic surgery in Nigeria and Ghana. Survey response rate was 64 and 70% for consultants and senior registrars respectively. The majority of surgeons were more willing to operate on emergency cases than elective cases. Patients with HIV infection and those on antiretroviral drugs were also more likely to be operated upon than AIDS patients. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of surgeons supported preoperative screening for HIV antibodies. The majority of surgeons (92.9%) also supported preoperative screening in high risk patients. Some 21.4% of surgeons wrongly believed that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has an adverse effect on HIV-positive patients and 42.9% of surgeons believe there is a difference in the cardiothoracic surgical outcome between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative patients. Some 82.1% of surgeons reported having modified their surgical practice to reduce the risk of blood-borne infection, adopting the universal precautions. The surgeons that have refused to operate on HIV/AIDS patients did so mainly for the fear of contracting the infection and the absence of an insurance policy covering the surgeon in the event of acquiring the infection from HIV-positive patients. Despite the low risk of transmission of blood-borne infection when adequate measures are taken during surgery, denial of surgical intervention in HIV-positive patients has continued. It is also disturbing to know that some surgeons still believe that there is a difference in outcome after surgical intervention in HIV-positive patients compared with HIV-negative patients and that CPB has an adverse effect on HIV-positive patients. There is need to educate these surgeons and provide adequate insurance cover for them, to enable them take the risk of operating on HIV/AIDS patients.
Key words: Cardiothoracic surgeons, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Kesieme E. B*, Kesieme C. N, Ekpe E. E. and Delia I. Z.
Page: 1 - 6