African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

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.

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

Knowledge and awareness about AIDS of urban and rural women of Bangladesh

Mosiur Rahman

Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 September, 2020

Abstract

This study utilized data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004 to identify the determinants of knowledge about AIDS for women of urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression methods were employed in analyzing data. This study found that a wider gap exists between urban and rural areas regarding knowledge about AIDS, where every 8 out of 10 urban women know about AIDS but almost half of the rural women still do not know about AIDS. Mass media play a major role for growing awareness about AIDS in both of these areas. In the urban area 61.6 percent women knew at least one correct way to avoid AIDS but rural women are in miserable condition because the corresponding figure for rural women was only 31.3% that means 37.7 and 67.7% among urban and rural women respectively still did not know how to avoid AIDS. Binary logistic regression method shows that education, occupation, ever use of contraception, currently using condom, permission to go to hospital/health center, mass media exposure, region of residence and wealth index significantly influence the knowledge about AIDS among rural women, whereas, in the urban areas except occupation and currently using condom all these remaining variables appear as the significant predictors of knowledge about AIDS.

Key words: AIDS, mass media, Bangladesh, logistic regression analysis.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Human herpes viral central nervous system infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and non-HIV patients: An 18-month prospective study

Kanokwan Pattanapongpaiboon¹ and Subsai Kongsaengdao^{1, 2*}

¹Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

²Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Rangsit University Bangkok, 10400 Thailand.

Accepted 25 April 2020

Abstract

Human herpes virus (HHV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is a common problem worldwide. The incidence of HHV-CNS infection in human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients and non-HIV patients has been studied at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. To identify the prevalence and incidence of HHV1 (HSV), HHV3 (VZV), HHV4 (EBV), HHV5 (CMV), HHV6A,B, and HHV 7-CNS infection, and to differentiate the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings between HSV-encephalitis and non-HSV/HHV-CNS infection amongst patients at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. An 18-month prospective study of patients with clinically suspected CNS infection was enrolled. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination and culture, along with real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HSV-1, HHV3, HHV4, HHV5, HHV6, HHV7 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were performed. Criteria for diagnosis of HHV-CNS infection included fever, headache, seizure, alteration of consciousness, neurological localizing signs and/or neck stiffness. A total of 94 patients, 52 male and 42 female, aged between 16 - 77 years (mean + SD = 42.3 + 14.5) were enrolled between July 2008 - December 2009. Forty four patients were confirmed to be HIV/AIDS positive. Of this, 27% were treated with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). There was significant difference of age and gender between the HIV/AIDS subgroup versus the non-HIV subgroup (p < 0.026). The incidence of HHV encephalitis was 11.3% per-year. The incidence of HHV1 (HSV) viral encephalitis, HHV5 (CMV) latent infection, and HHV4 (EBV) encephalitis accounted for 5.67, 4.2 and 0.6% per year, respectively. There were no HHV6A, B, HHV7- CNS infections observed. The incidence of HHV encephalitis was noticeably higher in HIV/AIDS patients (p = 0.002). The CSF /blood sugar ratio observed in HSV1 encephalitis was higher than in non HSV/HHV-CNS infected patients (p = 0.06). Human herpes virus, especially HSV-CNS infection was found to be common in both HIV/AIDS and non HIV patients. The incidence of VZV, EBV, HHV6 and HHV7- CNS infection were rare. Unlike the CSF/blood sugar ratio and CSF pleocytosis, clinical manifestations may not be helpful for differentiation between HSV encephalitis and non HSV/HHV-CNS infection.

Key words: Human herpes virus (HHV), central nervous system (CNS) infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral encephalitis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Ebstein barr virus (EBV).

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-022, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of the policies and programmes of Zimbabwe in addressing the HIV/Aids epidemic in the education sector

Symphorosa Rembe*

University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Accepted 20 September 2020

Abstract

This study assessed the policies, strategic plans and structures that have been put in place in Zimbabwe to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the education sector. It also examined the comprehensiveness of projects and programmes currently being implemented by the government in collaboration with partner organisations and NGOs. The findings show that the epidemic has had a very adverse impact on the education sector. They also reveal that policies and strategies put in place in this sector have sound and clear aims and objectives particularly in preventing and mitigating the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Zimbabwe has reduced the prevalence of HIV/AIDS from over 30 per cent to less than 25 per cent. However, there are a number of challenges in the implementation of HIV/AIDS projects and programmes which include, among others: lack of capacity in terms of skills, human and financial resources, lack of proper monitoring and follow up partly due to inadequate staff and transport. Moreover, the prevailing political climate in Zimbabwe has led to some donors withholding funding which is essential for the implementation of current and future programmes to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the education sector.

Key Words: policies and strategic plans, programmes and projects, assessment, prevalence, prevention, mitigating impact, implementation, funding, Education Sector, Zimbabwe.

African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Taraba State, Nigeria

E. D. Oruonye

Department of Geography, Taraba State University, P.M.B. 1167, Jalingo,Taraba State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 07039271480, 08025250182.

Accepted 14 January, 2020

Abstract

Taraba state has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in north eastern Nigeria. It has many high risk settings and increasing behavioural attitudes that enhance the spread of the virus. This study evaluates the response of the State Government to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and how the conceptualization of the problem impacts on the government’s response in the State. The finding shows that the high risk settings and the behavioural factors causing the disease still prevail, if not worsening by the day in the State. These include the presence of alcohol drinking ‘joints’ in rural markets all over the State, high level of poverty among both urban and rural dwellers across the state, increasing number of widows, orphans and divorcees, especially in the rural areas and the fear of stigmatization. Of the 16 LGAs in the State, only 8 general hospitals and 4 referral hospitals have HIV/AIDS testing kits and six sites (in 4 LGAs) that provide ART drugs in the State. Other factors compounding the problem include the challenges of denial, stigma, discrimination, low literacy levels, poverty and the very low government support for HIV/AIDS at the state and Local Government Areas (LGAs) levels. The study recommends adequate funding by way of special budgetary allocation to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the State.

Key words: Assessment, HIV/AIDS, pandemic, response.