African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 250-254, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In silico analysis of Mycobacterium leprae genome to find out potential drug targets

Asad Amir¹, Asif Siddiqui¹, Anjali Malik¹, Neeraj Tandan²*, Garima Dua¹, Garima Rastogi¹, Gayatri Sharma¹, Richa Goel¹ and Singhal Gauvav^2.

¹Department of Biotechnology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Indian.

²Scientific and Applied Research Center, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Indian.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 08 April, 2009

Abstract

Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent of the disease, leprosy. In-silico analysis can be performed on M. leprae genome to find out the potential drug targets. This was done first by database search to find the recorded complete genes with complete sequences of M. leprae and then their comparative study with human by using homology searching using human BLAST. From a total of 1605 genes, potential drug targets have been identified.

Key words: Mycobacterium leprae Genome, BLAST, NCBI, drug target.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 233-239, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Causes and consequences of intimate partner rape and violence: Experiences of victims in Lagos, Nigeria

Mary O. Esere*, Adeyemi I. Idowu, Irene A. Durosaro and Joshua A. Omotosho

Department of Counsellor Education, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234 8033907176.

Accepted 03 August, 2009

Abstract

Intimate Partner Rape (IPR) is a pervasive form of gender-based violence and a topical human rights issue. This study investigated the causes and consequences of Intimate Partner Rape and violence as reported by selected married women in Nigeria. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 22 purposively selected married women aged, 22 to 40 years from two Save Our Soul (SOS) Shelters for Abused Women who have been victims of Intimate Partner Rape/Violence. Qualitative data on Intimate Partner Rape/violence experiences and associated factors was collected through eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Descriptive analysis was used for the demographic characteristics of the participants. The transcription of the recorded audio cassettes, together with the recorded field notes, provided data for the thematic analysis. The discussions revealed that the principal causes of Intimate Partner Rape/Violence were unequal power relations; alcohol and drug dependence and jealousy. Self-reported consequences of Intimate Partner Rape/Violence by victims included amongst others: physical injury (31.87%) constant headaches (27.27%); sleep disturbances (18.18%); excessive fear and anxiety (9.09%); suicidal ideation (9.09%) and hatred for men (4.55%). These findings confirm that Intimate Partner Rape/Violence may be playing significant but salient role in the poor state of health of Nigerian women. Accordingly, effective intervention strategies at all levels are needed to address it.

Key words: Intimate partner rape/violence, married women, Nigeria, causes, consequences.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (8), pp. 282-288, August, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

HIV and sexual risk behaviours amongst intravenous drug users at rehabilitation centre in rural China

Danya Bakhbakhi¹, Jianbo Zhang² and William CW Wong³*

¹8 School Terrace, Hubert road, Selly Oak, BirminghamB29 6DY, England.

²Dali People’s 2^nd Hospital, Dali Old Town, Dali, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.

³Family Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.

Accepted 11 March, 2017

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the sexual and HIV risk behaviours of intravenous drug users (IDUs) in rural Southwest China and the relationships between the demographics of the population, needle sharing and condom use. 993 IDUs at a drug rehabilitation centre in Dali, Yunnan Province completed an anonymous structured questionnaire between November and December 2006. IDUs were involved in multiple HIV risk behaviours. 37.5% admitted to sharing needles in the past and very few sterilised their needles using the correct technique. A third had engaged in multiple partnerships and 17.9% had a sexual partner who was also an IDU. Only 12.6% always used condoms during vaginal sex- this figure was even lower for oral (7.5 - 7.9%) and anal sex (14.3 - 16.1%) . Males were less likely to use condoms compared to females (p < 0.001). 60.8% of the population had never had a HIV test. In the regression model, occupational status, marital status and daily dose of heroin were significant independent predictors of condom non-use. Sex, ethnicity, months and frequency of injecting were significant independent predictors of sharing needles in the past. A worrying number of IDUs in rural China are engaged in HIV risk behaviours despite recent government prevention programmes. Further educational interventions are required to target these behaviours.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, China, risk behaviours, intravenous drug use (IDU), rural.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 255-264, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Criteria used for selecting patients for antiretroviral therapy in Uganda: A qualitative study     

Lydia Kapiriri¹*, Neema Sofaer², Lynn M. Atuyambe³, Erasmus Otolok-Tanga³ and Ole Frithjof Norheim⁴

¹Department of Health Aging and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4L8.

²Department of Primary Care and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London.

³Makerere University School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Uganda.

⁴Division for Medical Ethics, Institute of Public Health and the Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 1 905 525 9140 (27203). Fax: (905) 529-2152.

Accepted 08 July, 2009

Abstract

Limited resources in low income countries still prevent HIV patients from accessing treatment and necessitate the rationing of anti retroviral therapy. This paper aims to describe the criteria used in actual patient selection so as to develop evidence based recommendations for improving fairness in patient selection in Uganda and similar contexts. Qualitative interviews (n = 37) from six AIDS treatment units in Uganda; review of policy and clinic documents; and group discussions (n = 47) people living with AIDS. Practitioners identified both medical criteria (need, CD4 count, WHO staging, Absence of severe co-infections, patient readiness, and ART naivety) and social criteria (economic status, social support, treatment buddy, disclosure, duration with organization, distance, alcohol consumption, relatives of clients on ART, first-in- first- out, vulnerability and activism). There was congruence around the medical criteria across institutions and the national guidelines; and variations around the social criteria. The variations around the social criteria necessitate more explicit debate. Commonly used and accepted criteria could be considered for explicit inclusion in the national guidelines. Disputed criteria should be debated to identify an acceptable set of criteria for ART rationing. These criteria should be publicized to facilitate on-going revisions, ensure consistency, and contribute to fair patient selection.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, anti-retroviral treatment, Uganda, rationing, criteria.