African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of personal characteristics on the knowledge and attitude of Pamol plantation workers towards HIV/AIDS in the Southwest Region Cameroon

Jane M. Chah¹*, D. Ewane², A. E. Agwu¹ and E. M. Igbokwe¹

¹Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

²Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Cameroon.

Accepted 10 January, 2022

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of personal characteristics on knowledge and attitude of Pamol plantation workers (n = 75) towards HIV/AIDS in Southwest Region of Cameroon. The percentage of workers with correct knowledge on the etiology/transmission, symptoms and prevention of HIV/AIDS and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS was determined. Knowledge indices on etiology/transmission (KIET), symptoms (KIS) and prevention (KIP) of HIV/AIDS and attitude indices (AI) of the various age groups, marital status, educational level, religious groups, sex, migration status and rank of the workers were constructed. Regression analysis, Analysis of Variance and Students t-test were used to analyze the data. None of the personal characteristics of the workers had any significant (p>0.05) influence on their knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. However, the mean KIET of supervisory workers (16.75) was significantly different (p<0.05) from that of their hourly rated counterparts (15.78). The mean AI of respondents in the supervisory category (14.46) was higher than those of the hourly rated category (12.35). Despite the existence of HIV/AIDS programmes in the plantation workers, HIV/AIDS stigmatization was still present. This stigmatization would have a negative impact on the productivity of affected workers. Hence, intervention programmes aimed at eliminating stigmatization among the workers should be pursued.

Key words: Cameroon, HIV/AIDS, knowledge, attitude, stigmatization plantation workers.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Attitudes and practices among surgical staff of a tertiary hospital in Malawi towards the prevention of occupational HIV infection

Christina Hara^1,2, MadalitsoKalima¹ and Patrick Kamalo^2,3

¹College of Medicine, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi

²Blantyre Institute of Neurological Sciences (BINS), Post Office Box 1052, Blantyre, Malawi

³Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Post Office Box 95, Blantyre, Malawi.

Accepted 04 November, 2020

Abstract

The prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains high in sub Saharan Africa and there is a small but significant risk for surgical staff, to contract HIV over time from infected surgical patients. We conducted this study to investigate the attitudes and practices of surgical staff towards the prevention of occupational HIV infection (OHI) at a tertiary hospital in Malawi. This was a cross sectional qualitative study using a semi-structured questionnaire, administered to surgical staff (surgeons, nurses, clinical officers) to assess their attitudes and practices towards self-protection from OHI. We collected data on self-protection measures to reduce risk of HIV exposure, and practices following accidental exposure. We also conducted blinded observations of staff working in the operating theatres. Data were analyzed manually, drawing themes, and observed practices were correlated with reported behaviors. We interviewed 23 study participants and observed 3 theatre sessions which involved 15 theatre staff. Responses were mixed, participants expressed both positive and negative views. Some viewed the infectiousness of HIV from occupational exposure as too low and negligible. The effect of post-exposure prophylaxis was also underrated. Lack of resources for personal protection resulted in most staff not using self-protection materials. There were no written institutional protocols, nor guidelines to train staff on OHI. Within the field of OHI prevention, the beliefs and practice patterns of healthcare staff in this hospital in Malawi are often, but not always, in agreement with the scientific literature. The level of dissemination of information and material support that they receive from the hospital is inadequate.

Keywords: HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis, surgeons.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of HIV/AIDS related deaths on the productivity of affected regions

Lazarus Okoroji¹ and Wilfred I. Ukpere²*

¹Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.

²Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Faculty of Business, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.

Accepted 14 October, 2020

Abstract

HIV/AIDS impacts demographics, since it has already killed more than 20 million people. HIV/AIDS is predicted to cause about 100 million additional deaths from a total of 500 million deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper examines the impact of HIV/AIDS related deaths on the productivity of selected, affected regions. Data used in this study, was sourced from textbooks, journal articles and the internet. The T-test analytical technique was utilised to analyse collated data, whilst the finding show that there is a positive relationship between the HIV/AIDS pandemic and a decrease in global productivity owing to seriously affected regions.

Key words: Agriculture, Business, Epidemic, Diagnosis, HIV/AIDS, Infection Virus, Productivity.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of a health education intervention on nurses’ knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Cairo University, Egypt

Eman Taher and Rehab Abdelhai*

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

Accepted 13 September, 2020

Abstract

Information education and communication (IEC) programs are the most effective available approaches for combating the HIV pandemic especially among nurses. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS before and after an IEC intervention program. The study used a prospective interventional design that was conducted on two different nursing groups: post-graduate nursing staff (67 nurses) and undergraduate nursing students (73 students). A significant improvement in the general knowledge and perceptions score was observed (from 7.29 ± 1.2 to 8.01 ± 1.5 with P <0.001). The intervention also succeeded to improve the mode of transmission knowledge score significantly from 6.83 ± 0.9 to 7.21 ± 0.8 (P <0.001). Furthermore, the intervention significantly improved the prevention knowledge score. The main source of information was television (66.7%). Although favorable attitudes increased after the intervention it did not reach the desired level. A planned HIV/AIDS education program significantly improved the HIV/AIDS knowledge, and to a lesser extent the perceptions and attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS. Further structured education should be conducted emphasising the role of mass media.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes, health education intervention.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Contraceptive use among persons living with HIV and AIDS attending a care and support centre in Kabale, Uganda

Othman Kakaire¹, Dan K. Kaye¹* and Michael O. Osinde²

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.

²Kabale Regional Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, P. O. Box 7, Kabale, Uganda.

Accepted 13 November, 2020

Abstract

The choice of contraception in people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is constrained by the need to prevent both sexual transmission of HIV and unwanted pregnancies. We assessed contraceptive use among 400 HIV- positive persons attending a care and support centre in Kabale, Uganda. Participants completed a structured questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, sexuality, contraceptive use, sero-status disclosure and antiretroviral therapy. Bivariate analysis and multivariate modeling were conducted to analyze factors associated with contraceptive use. The rate of dual contraceptive use was low. On bivariate analysis, sex and age of respondents, education level, marital status, drinking habits, whether participant had a stable relationship, number of sexual partners in previous 6 months and frequency of sexual intercourse were significantly associated with contraceptive use. Likewise, disclosure of sero-status to sexual partners, partner’s HIV positive status, history of new sexual partners in previous 3 months and whether respondent had been treated for STD since HIV diagnosis were significantly associated with contraceptive use (p-value < 0.05) . Factors independently associated with contraceptive use were level of educational attainment and whether respondent had changed partners since HIV diagnosis.

Key words: People living with HIV, contraception, antiretroviral therapy, Uganda.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Key words: Giardiasis, STDs, parasitic.