HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care最新文献

Background: Condom is one of the most commonly used and cost-effective HIV preventive measures, particularly in low-income countries. Despite the proven effect of condoms for STI/HIV prevention, there are limited data on its utilization. Hence, this community-based study aimed to assess the level and determinant factors of condom utilization among the youth of the rural Tigray.

Methods: This study was part of a large community-based cross-sectional study conducted to assess the utilization of adolescent and youth-friendly health services among randomly selected 631 youth aged 15-24 years from May 23 to June 30, 2018. We used 273 youth who reported having a history of sexual activity during the study period. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of the outcome variable and the level of significance was declared at a P-value of <0.05.

Results: A total of 273 participants were included in the study. The mean age (+SD) of the respondents was 19.14 (±2.74) years. Only one-third (35.2%) of the respondents used a condom during their last sexual encounter and 51 (53.1%) of them used it consistently. Being married (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.60), respondent's partner attained primary education (AOR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.50), and having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 6.97; 95% CI: 2.09, 23.20) were found to be the determinants of condom utilization.

Conclusion: The study participants had a low level of condom utilization. Social and sexual related factors were the major predictors of condom use among the youth. Therefore, focused interventions need to be designed specifically to strengthen condom promotion campaigns.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether there were changes in fundus picture and retinal microvascularity of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: From July 2015 to November 2016, 130 HIV/AIDS patients were collected by the Yunnan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including 63 treatment-naïve patients and 67 that received HAART for 12 months. Fundus picture lesions, retinal microvascular diameters, CD4+ T lymphocyte count and HIV-1 plasma viral loads were compared between the two groups. The recruited patients were mainly young and middle-aged, with more males than females. There were no significant differences in smoking history, comorbidities and opportunistic infections between the two groups.

Results: According to the analysis results from SPSS 20.0 software, the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the treated patients (563.34±2.56 cells/μL) increased significantly (P=0.009) as compared with untreated patients (451.37±2.10 cells/μL), and the HIV-1 plasma viral load reduced considerably (4794 vs 0 copy/mL, P=0.000). No significant differences were observed from the fundus picture of patients after effective HAART therapy, including the retinal artery diameter, venous diameter and arteriovenous diameter ratio.

Introduction: Engagement in the HIV care cascade is required for people living with HIV (PLWH) to achieve an undetectable viral load. However, varying definitions of engagement exist, contributing to heterogeneity in research regarding how many individuals are actively participating and benefitting from care. A standardized definition is needed to enhance comparability and pooling of data from engagement studies.

Objectives: The objective of this paper was to describe the various definitions for engagement used in HIV clinical trials.

Methods: Articles were retrieved from CASCADE, a database of 298 clinical trials conducted to improve the HIV care cascade (https://hivcarecascade.com/), curated by income level, vulnerable population, who delivered the intervention, the setting in which it was delivered, the intervention type, and the level of pragmatism of the intervention. Studies with engagement listed as an outcome were selected from this database.

Results: 13 studies were eligible, of which five did not provide an explicit definition for engagement. The remaining studies used one or more of the following: appointment adherence (n=6), laboratory testing (n=2), adherence to antiretroviral therapy (n=2), time specification (n=5), intervention adherence (n=5), and quality of interaction (n=1).

Conclusion: This paper highlights the existing diversity in definitions for engagement in the HIV care cascade and categorize these definitions into appointment adherence, laboratory testing, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, time specification, intervention adherence, and quality of interaction. We recommend consensus on how to describe and measure engagement.

Background: Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is widely acknowledged globally as an effective method for preventing and treating HIV/AIDS. It allows people to understand their HIV status, make informed choices about getting tested for it, evaluate their personal risk of contracting HIV, and create plans to reduce that risk. The study aimed to evaluate the process of VCT services in public health facilities of Akaki Kality sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods and materials: A case study evaluation design with a mixed method was employed from May 12 to June 12, 2021. A total of 244 clients were interviewed during the study period. Furthermore, 12 direct observations, a review of documents from the past six months to the study period, and 12 key informant interviews were conducted. Quantitative data were entered into Epi data 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Univariate analysis was done and presented in tables and texts. Qualitative data were transcribed, translated, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The overall service implementation process was measured on the basis of pre-determined judgmental criteria.

Results: The overall level of VCT service implementation was 83.84%, to which the availability of resources (84.8%), compliance of service providers with the national guidelines (85.38%), and client satisfaction (76.93%) contributed. One facility had stock-outs of test kits in the last three months, and all VCT counseling and testing rooms lacked audio-visual privacy. Supportive supervision, the use of IEC materials during counseling, linking all HIV-positive clients to treatment and care services, and sending complete reports were practiced in a way that needs some improvement.

Conclusion: Overall, the service implementation was deemed satisfactory, but further action is required to improve resource availability, ensure provider compliance with national guidelines, and enhance the status of the service. In addition, the Woreda Health Office and Addis Abeba Health Bureau should regularly supervise and provide feedback.

Background: HCV-related liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection. It is well known that the response rates to HCV therapy are similar between HCV-monoinfected patients and HIV-HV coinfected ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HCV eradication on CD4 + T cell count in a population of HIV-HCV coinfected patients.

Materials and methods: We enrolled patients with HIV-HCV coinfection attending the Infectious Diseases Unit of the A.O.U. Federico II of Naples, from January 2016 to February 2019, treated with ART (AntiRetroviral Therapy) and DAAs (Direct Antiviral Agents). For each patient, we evaluated HIV and HCV viral load and CD4+ T cell count before starting therapy with DAAs, by SVR12 time and by SVR48 time. Fibrosis was evaluated by the mean of Fibroscan^®.

Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled, 40 males. Fibrosis score was F0-F3 in 15 patients and cirrhosis in the remaining 11 (all in Child-Pugh class A). All had been receiving ART, and all were treated with DAAs. Only patient who had not achieved HIV viral suppression for non-compliance also experienced a relapse of HCV infection after the end of DAAs. In all patients, we observed that the CD4+ T cell count at baseline did not show significant variations compared to SVR12 and SVR48 time. We also assessed CD4 count in relation to HIV categories and stage of liver disease, see Table 1. Also, based on the assessments of the subclasses considered, there were no significant changes in the CD4 + T cell count.

Conclusion: Our study shows that HCV viral eradication obtained with DAAs in patients with HIV-HCV coinfection is not associated with significant changes in the CD4 + T cell count, regardless of CDC category and stage of liver disease.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) is universally accepted as an HIV testing option to achieve the United Nations Agency for International Development first 95 goal by 2030. HIV testing coverage through voluntary counseling and testing and provider initiated testing and counseling is low among female sex workers (FSWs). However, there is no evidence on the level of HIVST among FSWs in the study area.

Objective: To assess the uptake of HIVST and associated factors among FSWs at non-governmental facilities in Debre Markos and Bahir Dar towns, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 423 study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire; entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated to assess the strength of association between independent variables and dependent variable. Bivariable logistic regression was done for each variable and those with a P-value of < 0.25% were selected for multivariable analysis. Finally, P-value < 0.05% was declared statistically significant.

Results: The magnitude of HIVST uptake among FSWs was 59.3%. Time since engagement of sex work > 5 years [AOR 2.16 (95% CI: 1.158-4.013)], age of first sexual debut >19 years [AOR 3.23 (95% CI: 2.045-5.093)], previous urban residence [AOR 3.99 (95% CI: 2.58-6.18)], good knowledge towards HIVST [AOR 1.78 (95% CI: 1.066-2.964)], education status being college and above [AOR 5.6 (95% CI: 3.12-9.30)] were significantly associated factors.

Conclusion: HIVST uptake among FSWs was 59.3% which is lower than expected at national level. Educational status, age at first sexual debut, knowledge towards HIVST, and time since engagement in sex work were significantly associated with HIVST uptake.

Introduction: Infant feeding practices can have an impact on the health of infants born to HIV-positive mothers. Breastfeeding has significant health advantages for newborns even while it increases the risk of HIV transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her child. One-third to half of child HIV infections in African settings may be linked to breastfeeding. This study was intended to investigate the level of unsafe infant feeding practice and associated factors among HIV positive mothers attending PMTCT at selected governmental hospitals in Afar regional state, Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 423 HIV positive mothers from February 15 to March 15, 2022 in Afar regional state at selected PMTCT providing governmental hospitals. The proportional allocation was done for samples to be taken from Asayta, Dupti and Mohammed Akle hospitals. A systematic sampling technique was performed to select the study participants. Epidata version 3.1 was used for data entry, and SPSS software version 23 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The majority, 296 (70.0%), of mothers with HIV-positive were aged between 25 and 34 years. The level of unsafe infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers was 153 (36.2%). About 270 (63.8%) mothers exclusively breastfed their infants. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, PNC follow-up (AOR=1.814, 95% CI: (1.127, 2.919)), ART follow-up (AOR=1.987, 95% CI: (1.128, 3.501)), and HIV disclosure status (AOR=2.324, 95% CI: (1.470, 3.673)) were significantly associated with unsafe infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers.

Conclusion: The level of unsafe infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers was high. PNC follow-up, ART follow-up, and HIV disclosure status were significantly associated with unsafe infant feeding practice among HIV-positive mothers. Comprehensive health educations need to be provided for HIV-positive mothers to reduce this problem.

Background: The most common abnormality in HIV-infected children is cytopenia, a hematological complication characterized by a decline in any of the blood cell lines. It is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of cytopenia among HIV-positive children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on HIV-positive children on HAART from July to September 2020. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants' data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Hematological parameters from the blood sample were analyzed using Ruby Cell-Dyne 300 hematology auto-analyzer. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of cytopenia among the study participants. P-values of less than 0.05 are considered statistically significant.

Results: Two hundred seventy-three HAART-experienced children were enrolled in this study, and 50.9% were females. At baseline, 40.7% of children were anemic. The overall magnitude of cytopenia among the study participants was 26.7%. The prevalence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and neutropenia among children was 11.4%, 4.0%, 14.3%, and 18.3%, respectively. Patients with an undetectable viral load (AOR = 0.5, CI = 0.3-0.9) are 50% less likely to report cytopenia. HAART-experienced children living in rural areas are more likely to develop cytopenia (AOR = 2.6, CI = 1.3-5.2) than those living in urban areas.

Conclusion: Hematologic abnormalities are common problems among children on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, routine investigation of hematological and immunological changes following appropriate therapeutic interventions is recommended.

Background: Even though there are many patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidence on the rate of viral resuppression and its predictors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine a time to viral resuppression and identify predictors among adults on second-line ART in South Wollo public hospitals, northeast Ethiopia.

Methods: A retrospective-cohort study design was employed using patients enrolled in second-line ART from August 28, 2016 to April 10, 2021. Data were collected using a structured data-extraction checklist with a sample size of 364 second-line ART patients from February 16 to March 30, 2021. EpiData 4.6 was used for data entry and Stata 14.2 was used for analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for estimating time to viral resuppression. The Shönfield test was used to check the proportional-hazard assumption, and the "no interaction" stratified Cox assumption was checked using the likelihood-ratio test. A stratified Cox model was applied to identify predictors of viral resuppression.

Results: Median time to viral re-suppression in patients on a second-line regimen was 10 (IQR 7-12) months. BeingFemale (AHR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01-1.69), low viral load count at switch (AHR 1.98, 95% CI 1.26-3.11), normal-range BMI at switch (AHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.95), and lopinavir-based second-line regimen (AHR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15-2.57) were significant predictors of early time to viral resuppression after stratification by WHO stage and adherence level.

Conclusion: Median time to viral re-suppression after switching to second-line ART was 10 months. In the stratified Cox model, female sex, baseline viral copies, second-line regimen type, and BMI at switch were statistically significant predictors of time to viral resuppression. Different stakeholders working on the HIV program should maintain viral resuppression by addressing significant predictors, and ART clinicians should consider ritonavir-boosted lopinavir based second-line ART for newly switched patients.