African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Knowledge of sexually transmitted Infections among patients attending outpatient clinics at University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Adegun, P. T.¹*, Solomon, O. A.², Adegoke, S. A.³, Ade-Ojo, I. P.⁴ and Fape M. O.⁵

¹Department of Surgery, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

²Department of Family Medicine, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

³Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 June, 2022

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the level of knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and possible factors associated with knowledge of patients attending outpatient clinic in University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. This is to enable appropriate advocacy targeted on at risk population so as to control sexually transmitted infections and prevent its complications in this environment. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on patients attending outpatient clinics of the hospital from February to July, 2010. All volunteered participants were given a self-administered structured questionnaire. Out of the 592 interviewed, 242 (40.9%) were males and 350 (59.1%) were females. Although, knowledge of sexually transmitted infections was high in the general population, especially among those with postsecondary school education (85.4%) and the drivers (90.9%), it was relatively low among the adolescents and the youths who are the most vulnerable in this environment (χ2 = 14.343; p < 0.05). News media was the highest source of information about Sexually Transmitted Infections. Age, educational level and the type of occupation appear to be important factors affecting knowledge. Therefore, health education about Sexually transmitted infections targeted at this risk group may yield positive result.

Key words: Sexually transmitted infections (STI), knowledge, Ekiti, Nigeria, youths and adolescents.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Elevated liver transaminases, human immune deficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion and rapid progression to AIDS in a HIV prevention clinical trial participant: A case report

Khatija Ahmed¹, Mookho Malahleha¹, JenniferDeese², Constance Monedi¹ and Lut Van Damme²

¹Setshaba Research Centre, Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa.

²FHI 360, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.

Accepted 13 May, 2022

Abstract

This is a case report on a human immune deficiency virus (HIV) prevention trial participant who HIV seroconverted, developed hepatitis and rapidly progressed to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A 24 year old HIV negative, non-pregnant participant consented to participate in the FEM-PrEP clinical trial. Her baseline parameters were normal; she was on oral contraception and was vaccinated for hepatitis B. She attended monthly scheduled visits and protocol specific procedures were done. She HIV seroconverted at her week 36 follow up visit, and her aspartate aminotransferases (ASTs) and alanine aminotransferases (ALTs) were elevated to a grade 3 level (DAIDs grading). Over her next follow up visits, there were fluctuations in her AST and ALTs and she had a history of using herbal medication. She rapidly progressed to AIDS and was started on anti-retroviral (ARVs). The participant was in the Truvada arm of the study. This case of hepatic toxicity and rapid HIV progression demonstrates the clinical complexity of HIV management in clinical trials. We hypothesize that the hepatic toxicity was associated with acute HIV infection and concomitant use of herbal medicine; however, we cannot definitively demonstrate causality.

Key words: HIV prevention, seroconversion, elevated transaminases, STDs, liver toxicity, herbal medication, antibiotics, oral contraception, rapid progression to AIDS.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Short-term combined exercise training improves the health of HIV-infected patients

Eduard Tiozzo^1,2, Dushyantha Jayaweera³, Allan Rodriguez³, Janet Konefal^1,2, Angelica B. Melillo^1,2, Sarah Adwan^1,2, Lawrence Chen^1,2, Chad Parvus^1,2, Miguel Figueroa⁴, Nicole Hodgson^1,2, Judi M. Woolger³, Ronald Kanka^1,2, Arlette Perry⁵ and John E. Lewis^1,2*

¹Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

²Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

³Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

⁴Medical Wellness Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

⁵Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, School of Education, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

Accepted 6 April, 2022

abstract

This study tested the benefits of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (CARET) in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-three human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men and women, predominantly of lower socioeconomic status (SES), were randomly assigned and completed 12 weeks of: (a) standard medical treatment plus CARET or (b) standard medical treatment only. At baseline and follow-up, immune functioning, metabolic variables, quality of life (QoL), physical characteristics, and physical fitness were measured. The control group showed a significant decrease in CD4+ T cell count (-16%, p<0.05), whereas the exercise group maintained a more stable count after the intervention (-3%, p=0.39). Furthermore, exercise participants showed significant improvements in waist circumference (-2%, p<0.05), fasting glucose (-16%, p<0.05), physical (+11%, p<0.03) and mental (+10%, p<0.02) QoL, estimated VO_2max (+21%, p<0.01), upper body strength (+15%, p<0.05), and lower body strength (+22%, p<0.05). Our 12-week, supervised, moderate-intensity CARET program resulted in more stable CD4 count and significant health improvements in HIV-infected individuals of lower SES.

Key words: Antiretroviral therapy, aerobic and resistance exercise training, immune functioning, quality of life.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Results of a peer navigation pilot program to link HIV positive clients of harm reduction services with Ryan White Clinical Service Providers

Rachel Hallum-Montes¹*, Thekla Manoloudis¹, Rohan D’Souza¹, Cornell Wrisby¹, Barbara Cicatelli¹, Stefanie Cousins¹, Helen Rovito² and Michael Anastario³

¹Cicatelli Associates Inc., New York, USA.

²Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA. ³New York University, New York, USA.

Accepted 12 March, 2022

Abstract

Peer navigation programs may improve healthcare accessibility and adherence for hard-to-reach populations. We piloted a peer navigation program at 3 sites within the United States with the aim of linking HIV positive clients of harm reduction services with Ryan White Clinical Services. We compared navigator activity logs and client tracking forms to evaluate the efficacy of the peer navigation program and to determine whether specific navigator duties varied with instances of client navigation. Findings indicated that increased instances of peer navigator activities corresponded with successful navigation of clients. Peer navigation may be a promising model for overcoming barriers to healthcare access for hard-to-reach populations.

Key words: HIV care, peer navigation, Ryan White services, drug use.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Nurses' level of knowledge on the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), behavior and practices: A survey from Turkish Society

Ayşegül Koç

Bozok University School of Health, Yozgat, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 354 212 1190/138. Fax: +90 354 212 2653.

Accepted 21 February, 2022

abstract

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a syndrome for which no current treatment or prophylactic vaccine exists. It is caused by a virus called the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Protection against this disease can be provided through a good understanding of the transmission routes. This study was conducted to determine nurses’ level of knowledge on the HIV/AIDS disease. This study was performed as a descriptive trial designed to determine nurses’ level of knowledge on the HIV/AIDS disease in a hospital located at the center of Erzurum, a city with a population of 985,389 in the east of Turkey. A total of 170 nurses participated in the study. A form on the socio-demographic characteristics and a survey form related to the transmission routes for HIV/AIDS, the sources of infection and the protective measures were used to collect the study data. Percentage distributions were used for data assessment. Based on the survey, results obtained from 170 nurses, of whom 45.3% were between 26 and 33 years of age (n:77), 170 nurses (100%) indicated that HIV/AIDS was transmitted through blood with high rates of transmission also through dentist, barber and hairdresser practices and circumcision tools; 97.6 and 99.4% of the nurses indicated that HIV can be found in the vaginal fluid and semen, respectively, while 91.2% of the nurses indicated that use of a condom/diaphragm was an effective measure for protection against HIV/AIDS. Post-graduate in-service training should be organized to fulfill the requirement for information that the nurses have.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), nurse, level of knowledge, transmission routes.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and predictors of willingness to care for relatives living with HIV/AIDS: Evidence from women of reproductive age in Nigeria

A. S. Adebowale¹*, O. B. Yusuf¹, B. O. Ogunbiyi² and P. I. Omoniyi¹

¹Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Population Action International, Washington DC, United States of America.

Accepted 24 January, 2022

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) constitutes threat to human life. Escalating number of HIV/AIDS cases in Nigeria demands for more relatives that will provide care for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Receiving care from relatives provides PLWHA the strength to confront life. Information on Willingness to Provide Care (WPC) for PLWHA is insufficient in Nigeria; hence, this study. This cross-sectional design study utilized Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008 dataset with focus on women of age 15 to 49 (n=27, 195). The dependent variable was WPC for Relatives Living with HIV/AIDS (RLWHA). Data was analysed using Chi-square and logistic regression models (α=5.0%). Mean age of the women was 28.79±9.4 years and the prevalence of WPC for RLWHA was 65.4% with urban women (70.8%) more WPC for RLWHA than their counterparts in the rural areas (61.9%) (p<0.0001). The percentage of women WPC for RLWHA increases with increasing level of education (p<0.0001). The identified predictors of WPC for RLWHA were the age, residence, religion, region, education, knowing someone who had died of HIV/AIDS, knowing someone denied of health services because of AIDS and believing that PLWHA should be ashamed of themselves. Majority of women in Nigeria were WPC for RLWHA. However, programmes that can improve WPC for RLWHA in Nigeria are indispensable.

Key words: Willingness to provide care, people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Nigeria.