African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (12), pp. 307-321, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Predictors of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young people: Lessons from Botswana

Thabo T. Fako¹*, Lucy W. Kangara¹ and Ntonghanwah Forcheh²

¹Department of Sociology, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB00705, Gaborone, Botswana.

²Department of Statistics, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB00705, Gaborone, Botswana.

Accepted 23 June, 2017

Abstract

This study sought to identify factors that can predict knowledge about HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Botswana. The data were collected through a self administered questionnaire from a sample of 1294 students from schools around the capital city of Botswana, Gaborone. The research instrument consisted of 76 items that solicited information on background characteristics of respondents, indicators of family cohesiveness and bonding of children with their parents, indicators of personal adjustment, evidence of sex life, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Most respondents (63.1%) displayed adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The ‘type of job that mothers did’ was the most important single factor that distinguished between students who had “adequate knowledge” from those who did not. Other factors, which could be used to predict knowledge about HIV/AIDS, were, in order of importance: type of family of socialisation, level of education, extent of common residence among parents, level of conflict in the family of socialisation, extent of disagreement with mother and extent to which sexual issues were discussed with members of the family. The study concludes that intervention policies should target students whose mothers do jobs of a low status and should promote family bonding and cohesion.

Key words: Botswana, adolescence, discussion of sexual issues, family cohesion, HIV/AIDS, knowledge, mothers’ occupation, socio-economic status.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 218-227, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Risk factors for HIV infection among voluntary counselling and testing clients in Namibia

*Richard Chamboko¹ and Isak Neema²

¹NOVA Information Management School, New University of Lisbon, Portugal.

²Namibia Statistics Agency P.O. Box 2133, Windhoek, Namibia.

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

Accepted 29 July, 2015

Abstract

In an effort to provide useful information that can guide HIV prevention strategies, this study determined the risk factors for HIV infection in Namibia. It also estimated the disease risk attributable to selected risk factors. The study adopted a cross sectional research design with a sample of 14296 voluntary testing and counseling clients from Oshana, Khomas and Kavango regions for the period of 2009 to 2012. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for HIV infection among VCT clients. Attributable risk measures were then computed for factors amenable to intervention and were used as the basis for selecting risk factors posing the greatest disease burden to the population. From a targeting perspective, sex (OR = 1.3), condom use (OR= 1.7), male circumcision status (OR = 1.5) among others continue to be significant predictors of HIV infection. Not using condoms and not being circumcised are amenable to interventions and eliminating these risk factors can avert up to 22% and 18% of the disease burden respectively. Elimination of both exposures will result in 37% reduction in disease burden. As such, these factors should be the priority for HIV prevention in Namibia. We therefore recommend that the introduction of male circumcision in the country should be done concurrently with a strong condom messaging programme to increase the use of condoms even among circumcised men whilst at the same time addressing other social and structural factors.  

Keywords: HIV, prevention, VCT clients, risk factors, logistic regression, attributable risk measures.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 212-217, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Adherence to renal function monitoring guidelines in HIV-infected patients starting tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based antiretroviral therapy in rural Rwanda                                                                                               

Jean Claude Uwamungu*¹, Benjamin J. Eckhardt^1,2, Bethany L. Hedt-Gauthier^1,3, Jackline Odhiambo¹, Ange Uwimana¹, Muhayimpundu Ribakare⁴, Sabin Nsanzimana⁴, Eric Kagabo¹, John Wilson Niyigena¹, Cheryl L. Amoroso¹

¹Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda.

²Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, USA.

³Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

⁴Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali, Rwanda.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel:+16465088324/+250788668581

Accepted 15 February, 2016 

Abstract            

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a component of several first-line HIV antiretroviral regimens. However, TDF  causes nephrotoxicity and guidelines for creatinine monitoring are in place. This study evaluated creatinine testing  practices in a retrospective cohort of antiretroviral-naive adult HIV patients initiated on a TDF-containing regimen between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, in 23 outpatient health centers in rural Rwanda. Electronic medical records (EMR) were used to identify eligible subjects. Demographic data and creatinine testing orders and results at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months, were collected from paper charts. 496 patients were included. At baseline, 252 (51%) patients had a creatinine test ordered and 239 (48%) received a test result. At the 1-, 3-, and 6-month visits, 2.3%-9.3% of the patients had their creatinine monitored. Documentation of creatinine clearance (CrCl) was reported in only 3 patients. 210 patients had sufficient data to calculate CrCl by the Cockcroft-Gault equation, with 24 (11%) patients started on TDF despite a CrCl < 50 mL/min. Adherence to TDF-specific laboratory testing guidelines proved challenging. Automated EMR-generated testing reminders, studies to understand reasons for non-adherence, local adaptation of guidelines, and advocacy for safer medications more easily administered in a resource-limited setting are recommended.

Key words: Africa, creatinine, guideline adherence, HIV, renal insufficiency, tenofovir.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN: 2326-2691 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 208-211, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of human and non-human samples for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and typhoid in Benin City, Nigeria

James A. Okoro* and Benedict Osagie Oruma

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, PMB 14, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail:  [email protected]

Accepted 08 November, 2015

Abstract

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella species have continued to cause gastrointestinal complaints in people in developing countries. 180 stool specimens from 80 undergraduates , 100 food vendors, and 86 specimens from non-human sources were screened for the presence of the pathogens. Fresh stool specimens were inoculated onto Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (Oxoid CM813), Selenite F Broth (Oxoid CM 395), Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (Oxoid CM 0227), MacConkey Agar (Oxoid CM 7) and Blood Agar (Oxoid CM 55). Colonies growing on media after 24 hours incubation at 37⁰C were identified biochemically. Latex agglutination test reagents (Oxoid DR 620) were used for serological identification of O157:H7 strains. One (5.6%) specimen from a food vendor yielded E.coli O157:H7. 9(5%) specimens yielded Salmonella spp. Of the 86 non-human samples, 3 (3.5%) were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Thirty (35%) non- O157: H7 strains were also recovered; the highest proportion of 26 (30.2%) being from hawked food items. Proteus spp (8.1%) was the next commonly isolated pathogen. Only an isolate each of Salmonella and Shigella spp were recovered from hawked foods. The incidence of E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp was low in non-human samples; a possible reason for the low incidence observed in humans in this locality.

Keywords:  Escherichia coli O157:H7; Salmonella spp; human; non-human; specimens; Nigeria.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN: 2326-2691 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 201-207, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the relationship between staphylococcus saprophyticus and urinary tract infection of women of childbearing age

Jacob Ogedegbe¹, Mike S. Obedafe^2,3*, Festus Okitikpi² and Amos Erejuwa Olanrewaju^3,4

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. 

³Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

⁴Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Accepted 02 October, 2015

Abstract

Coagulase negative Staphylococcus has long been considered of little significance as a urinary tract infection. The role of novobiocin resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus saprophyticus in infection of the urinary tract of women of childbearing age (14-40 years; mean age = 27 years; outpatients) was investigated. Three hundred female patients between the age bracket of 14 and 40 years (mean age= 27.3 years) attending University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were consecutively sampled and 100 healthy women of the same age bracket were recruited as the control group. Of the 300 women recruited as the study group, 188 (62.7%) of them were positive for urinary tract infection of which 11 (5.85%) were positive for S. saprophyticus. This infection rate of 188 (62.7%) is statistically significant (p<0.01). In the control group, 30 (30%) of the 100 women were positive for asymptomatic urinary tract infection. The difference between the individuals positive for UTI in the control group and that of the study group is statistically significant (p<0.01). This study has been able to establish that S. saprophyticus and other coagulase-negative Staphylococci that are often previously dismissed as culture contaminants have greater influence in urinary tract infection especially among women of childbearing age.

Keywords: Staphylococcus saprophyticus; urinary tract infection; women of childbearing age.