HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care最新文献

{"title":"Perceived HIV Stigma and Associated Factors Among Adult ART Patients in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Aklilu Alemu,&nbsp;Mengistu Meskele,&nbsp;Tadele Dana Darebo,&nbsp;Tilahun Beyene Handiso,&nbsp;Amene Abebe,&nbsp;Kebreab Paulos","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S372738","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S372738","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess perceived HIV stigma and associated factors among adult ART patients in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 638 participants selected using a multistage sampling technique from July 10 to September 2020. A 12-item short version of the HIV stigma scale was used to measure HIV-related stigma. Data were collected by the interview method using a pre-tested questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. The strength and direction of the association were measured using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 57.8% (95% CI = 54.1%-61.9%) of people under HIV care perceived high stigma and 450 (70.5%) disclosed their HIV status. Widowed marital status (AOR = 2.984; 95% CI = 1.728-5.155), primary education (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI = 2.072-5.42), undisclosed HIV status (AOR = 1.657; 95% CI = 1.121-2.451), poor social support (AOR: 2.05; 95% CI = 1.195-3.433), and being member of an HIV support group (AOR: 0.396; 95% CI = 0.249-0.630) were significantly associated with perceived stigma.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The perceived stigma is high among adult ART patients in the study setting. Widowed marital status, primary education, undisclosed HIV status, membership to the social support network NEP+ and poor social support were predictors of perceived HIV stigma. Thus, ART patients should be given more psychosocial support to minimize their perceived public HIV-related stigma.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/5c/43/hiv-14-487.PMC9651016.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40493890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnitude and Determinants of Syphilis and HIV Co-Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: Evidence from Respondent Driven Samples, 2019-2020.","authors":"Ammar Barba,&nbsp;Fayiso Bati,&nbsp;Jaleta Bulti Tura,&nbsp;Beza Addis,&nbsp;Saro Abrahim","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S384213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S384213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Female sex workers (FSWs) play an important role in transmitting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis from high-risk groups to the general population. Syphilis and HIV infections are generally more prevalent among FSWs. However, in Ethiopia, up-to-date evidence about Syphilis-HIV co-infections among FSWs was lacking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the magnitude and determinants of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia, 2019-2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional HIV and other sexually transmitted infections Bio-Behavioral Survey (HSBS) was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) among 6,085 FSWs in Ethiopia from August 2019 to January 2020. Data was collected, merged with laboratory data, and analyzed in R software using the RDS package. The odds ratio was calculated at 95% CI to measure associations between the dependent and independent variables. Variables that yield <i>p</i><0.25 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, variables with <i>p</i><0.05 were declared as statistically significant. Results were presented in frequency tables and charts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs was 2.9% [95% CI=2.6-3.2]. Age of the FSWs (15-19 years old (AOR=0.03; 95% CI=0.01-0.12)), non-formal educational level (AOR=3.18; 95% CI=1.78-5.68), monthly income <2,500 ETB (AOR=3.05; 95% CI=1.45-6.42), major depression (AOR=1.85; 95% CI=1.18-2.89), forced first sex experience (AOR=1.71; 95% CI=1.2-2.44), condom breakage (AOR=1.62; 95% CI=1.14-2.30), Hepatitis B seropositivity (AOR=2.32; 95% CI=1.10-4.90), and Hepatitis C seropositivity (AOR=5.37; 95% CI=1.70-16.93) were strongly associated with Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs in Ethiopia was high. To ward off Syphilis-HIV co-infection among FSWs, a special FSWs-targeted HIV and Syphilis/STIs prevention program and treatment approach needs to be devised. An outreach approach to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of FSWs has to be part of the strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/62/53/hiv-14-473.PMC9635310.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40667438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV Positivity Disclosure Among Children Living with HIV/AIDS and Currently on HAART in Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia.","authors":"Muluken Genetu Chanie,&nbsp;Abenezer Abebe,&nbsp;Amare Muche,&nbsp;Nigusu Worku","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S356507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S356507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Disclosure of HIV/AIDS positive test result to children is a continuing routine problem in the health care setting. Some of the families as well as the health care workers are negligent to inform children of their HIV status. This study was aimed at identifying the prevalence of HIV-positivity disclosure and the factors among 6-15-year-old children currently on HAART in Dessie, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility based cross-sectional study design was performed in Dessie from January 21 to March 12, 2020 among 346 parents/caregivers with children living with HIV and currently on HAART. The data were collected using pre-tested, structured and self-administered questionnaires. The collected data were entered into Epi info v.7.1 and exported into SPSS version 23 for further analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was employed and statistically significant factors were identified at 95% CI and at p-value <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HIV positivity disclosure was found to be 29.2% (26.3-34.7%). Being widowed mothers/caregivers, 11-15-year-old children, child received support from NGOs and having a mother with a negative HIV test were found to be statistically significant factors for disclosure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The overall HIV positivity disclosure to children living with HIV was found to be low in contrast to the WHO standard. In other ways, it was comparable with the Ethiopian figures. Health workers and managers need to focus on strengthening child support, make known the maternal/caregivers' HIV status, and child age specific effective interventions to improve disclosure of HIV positivity status for children living with HIV for better ART adherence and treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/68/fd/hiv-14-461.PMC9553231.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33509544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acceptance of Index Case HIV Testing and Its Associated Factors Among HIV/AIDS Clients on ART Follow-Up in West Ethiopia: A Multi-Centered Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Misganu Edosa,&nbsp;Emiru Merdassa,&nbsp;Ebisa Turi","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S372795","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S372795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Index case HIV/AIDS testing (ICHT) is a good approach for addressing and improving the efficiency and yield of testing among high-risk populations. Partners and families of people living with HIV/AIDS are among the high-risk populations for contracting HIV/AIDS. However, there is limited study on index case HIV testing among HIV patients attending Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the magnitude and factors associated with ICHT among HIV patients attending ART in Nekemte town public health facilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Nekemte town public health facilities from May 20 to July 21, 2020. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of acceptance of ICHT among HIV patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ICHT acceptance was 85.2% (95% CI=84.9-91.1%). Disclosure of their HIV status (AOR=9.74, 95% CI=4.11-23.06), having good knowledge of ICHT (AOR=4.70, 95% CI=1.92-11.61), believing HIV index case testing has benefits (AOR=3.43, 95% CI=1.27-9.29), and being on ART for more than 1 year (AOR=4.78, 95% CI=2.13-10.76) were significantly associated with index case HIV test acceptance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendation: </strong>This study revealed a significant proportion of index case HIV testing acceptance. HIV status disclosure of index cases, knowledge of ICHT, the perceived benefit of ICHT, and long duration on ART were found to be significantly associated with acceptance of ICHT. Hence, it is essential to give attention to counseling on the importance of ICHT, enhance people living with HIV (PLWHIV) to have positive belief on the advantage of ICHT, strengthen disclosure counseling, and assist HIV status disclosure in health facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/79/fc/hiv-14-451.PMC9528797.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33489296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Influencing the Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Boda-Boda Riders Aged 18-49 Years in Hoima, Western Uganda.","authors":"Joan Tusabe,&nbsp;Herbert Muyinda,&nbsp;Joanita Nangendo,&nbsp;Doris Kwesiga,&nbsp;Sherifah Nabikande,&nbsp;Michael Muhoozi,&nbsp;Winnie Agwang,&nbsp;Tom Okello,&nbsp;Elizeus Rutebemberwa","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S382219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S382219","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>We asseSssed factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among boda-boda riders aged 18-49 years in Hoima, western Uganda. Despite high levels of awareness about availability and benefits of VMMC, uptake was still low.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We employed the convergent parallel mixed methods design among boda-boda riders in Hoima district between August and September 2020. We administered a structured questionnaire to 316 boda-boda riders to determine factors associated with uptake of VMMC. We also conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and six key informant interviews (KIIs) to explore perceptions of VMMC. To determine factors associated with VMMC, we conducted modified Poisson regression analysis at 5% level of significance. We identified sociocultural barriers and facilitators for VMMC using thematic content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Uptake of VMMC was at 33.9% (95% CI 28.6-39.1) and was associated with higher level of education, adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 1.63, (95% CI 1.12-2.40); concern about being away from work, APR 0.66 (95% CI 0.49-0.88); and the belief that VMMC does not diminish sexual performance, APR 1.78 (95% CI 1.08-2.9). Facilitators of uptake of VMMC were health education and awareness creation, improved penile hygiene, and perceived sexual functioning; and reduced chances of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). On the other hand, the barriers to uptake were fear of pain and compulsory HIV testing, healing duration, financial loss during the healing period, fear of sexual misbehavior after circumcision, interruption of God's creation, and fear of loss of male fertility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although VMMC is largely perceived as protective against HIV and other STIs, deliberate measures using multiple strategies should be put in place to address the barriers to its uptake among this key population.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2a/07/hiv-14-437.PMC9516793.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40392099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Strategic Action Plan to Improve an Integrated Family Planning and HIV Service: Using Multiple Nominal Groups to Ensure Stakeholder Involvement.","authors":"Dessie Ayalew Mekonnen,&nbsp;Lizeth Roets","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S369429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S369429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The World Health Organization recommends that family planning be integrated in HIV services, to improve service offering and uptake; stakeholder involvement is crucial. The purpose of this manuscript is to share the utilization of nominal group technique (NGT) and multiple group analysis as a vehicle to ensure stakeholder involvement in the development of a strategic action plan to improve the implementation of integrated services in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative research design, employing a NGT, was applied as data-gathering method to develop a strategic action plan for facilitating the integration of family planning and HIV services. NGT was used to ensure the equal involvement of stakeholders in the development thereof. Twenty-four programme managers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - experts in family planning and HIV/AIDS programmes, working in 10 sub-city health departments - participated in the nominal groups to identify the strategies to be included in an action plan development to facilitate integrated services.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The first nominal group's participants identified 12 themes, derived from the 21 categories generated from 34 individual ideas. The second group identified nine themes, from 16 categories, generated from 30 individually ideas. A multiple group analysis utilizing the findings from both groups revealed the top five most important themes (leadership and management, capacity building, implementing policies and guidelines, advocacy/awareness and infrastructure) that were selected to be included in a strategic action plan to integrated family planning and HIV services in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The strategic action plan developed by the researcher who took into account the findings from the multiple group analysis was validated in a face-to-face validation meeting by all the relevant stakeholder's participation. Stakeholder involvement, utilizing different nominal groups and conducting multiple nominal group analysis ensured ownership of the strategic action plan as those involved in the development, will be the individuals to implement in Ethiopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cb/df/hiv-14-423.PMC9484494.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33468523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Spiritual and Religious Coping Among PLHIV in a Malaysian Muslim Community: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Aiza Nur Izdihar Zainal-Abidin,&nbsp;Farnaza Ariffin,&nbsp;Siti Fatimah Badlishah-Sham,&nbsp;Salmi Razali","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S371554","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S371554","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Increase in life expectancy of PLHIV has brought new challenges especially for young Malay Muslim men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia. This country has strong religious and cultural roots that may pose as additional stigma and discrimination in the lives of PLHIV. Therefore, coping skills among PLHIV is important. Theories on coping strategies has shown that spiritual and religion are one aspect of emotional focused coping. The aim of this study is to explore the views on spiritual and religious (S/R) coping among Malay Muslim MSMs.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>This was a qualitative study using in-depth interview. Eligible participants were recruited using purposive and snowballing sampling techniques via NGOs and online flyers. The narrative inquiry approach was used to understand the lived experiences of PLHIV and their coping strategies, particularly using S/R coping. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Miner. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Interviews with seven participants yielded four themes. Ambivalence towards religion was experienced by participants at some point following their diagnosis. Using S/R as a form of self-reflection was identified. Having positive religious support from family or NGOs helped some participants to embrace religious coping rather than to avoid it, and relationship with God was an important aspect of religious coping.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Spirituality and religiosity can be a form of positive coping for PLHIV. This study suggests the need for S/R guidance as well as positive support from healthcare professionals and religious-based organizations for PLHIV. This can have positive effects towards handling of the condition, adherence to treatment and health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cd/48/hiv-14-409.PMC9441580.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33447865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Mass Media Campaigns in Improving Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Southwestern Uganda.","authors":"Sandra Akankunda,&nbsp;Josephine Nambi Najjuma,&nbsp;Sandra Tayebwa,&nbsp;Benjamen Byamugisha,&nbsp;Sabastian Ariho,&nbsp;Ronald Bahati","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S375789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S375789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Globally, about 1.8 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were living with HIV by close of 2021, of these, about 1.5 million were living in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the influence of mass media campaigns in promoting adherence to antiretroviral therapies among adolescents living with HIV in southwestern Uganda.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study design that was adopted to explore the role of mass media campaigns on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents at the adolescents' HIV clinic Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The FGDs were conducted in Runyankole-Rukiga, and they were transcribed verbatim and later translated to English. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We conducted 7 Focus Group Discussions with adolescents living with HIV aged 10-19 years and 5 key informants' interviews with the health care providers. Results from the analysis were grouped into three broad themes: awareness of mass media HIV campaigns promoting adherence to ART, influence of mass media campaigns on adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and preferred mass media mode of delivery by adolescents' living with HIV. Participants preferred broadcast media channels and messages that featured success stories of people living with HIV.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HIV mass media campaigns influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV. It is recommended that HIV-related media campaign designers consider the unique needs of adolescents while designing and airing out various media campaigns. This will influence their positive living and thus lead to their increased health life expectancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/39/f1/hiv-14-397.PMC9419725.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33446425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Frequency and Predictors of Unsuppressed HIV Viral Load Among People with HIV in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda.","authors":"François Hakizayezu,&nbsp;Emmanuel Biracyaza,&nbsp;Hosee Niyompano,&nbsp;Aline Umubyeyi","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S376053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S376053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>By the end of 2015, epidemiological studies approximated 37 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) and 46.3% of them were initiated to antiretroviral therapies. From the 90-90-90 strategy, by 2020 at global level, 90% of all people living with HIV were expected to suppress viral load (VL). Although VL suppression is an important indicator of treatment success in PLHIV, studies on this indicator remain scarce in Rwanda where the prevalence of HIV is 3% with 9% for non-suppression. This work, thus, determined the prevalence of VL non-suppression and its associated predictors among PLHIV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 637 PLHIV enrolled in healthcare services between 2016 and 2017 in Nyaruguru district. Socio-demographic, treatment, clinical, immunological and VL data were extracted from medical records. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associated factors with VL suppression considering 95% confidence intervals and statistical significance of p<0.005.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>More than half of participants were female (57.77%). The prevalence of unsuppressed HIV VL was 8.9% and 88.7% of respondents were satisfied with the service provided. Males were more likely to be unsuppressed HIV VL [aOR = 3.02; 95% CI (1.19-7.64), p = 0.02] than females. Higher likelihoods of VL non-suppression were among those with history of clinical failure [aOR = 3.14; 95% CI (1.70-14.03), p = 0.034] or history of treatment interruption [aOR = 8.29; 95% CI (2.60-26.42) p = 0.002]. Those with a bad perception toward the whole life treatment were more likely to be unsuppressed [aOR = 4.32; 95% CI (1.98-18.99), p = 0.049] than their counterparts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sex, treatment interruption, bad perception toward the whole life treatment, clinical failure and lack of confidentiality were the major predictors of being unsuppressed. More efforts on counseling HIV patients to improve their knowledge would drop levels of VL non-suppression, so improving the quality of service should be prioritized to increase suppression.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/d7/b5/hiv-14-381.PMC9380829.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40707663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flow-Cytometry Intracellular Detection and Quantification of HIV1 p24 Antigen and Immunocheckpoint Molecules in T Cells among HIV/AIDS Patients.","authors":"Belay Tessema,&nbsp;Andreas Boldt,&nbsp;Brigitte König,&nbsp;Melanie Maier,&nbsp;Ulrich Sack","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S374369","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S374369","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>HIV p24 antigen-positive T cells measured by flow cytometry (FCM) correlate directly with HIV viral load, inversely with CD₄ ⁺ T cells, and decrease with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the sensitivity of FCM assays depends on the protocol of intracellular staining. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of our FCM protocol for detection of HIV p24-positive T cells and measure the level of immunocheckpoint molecules (PD1 and TIM3) in T cells.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted at the University of Leipzig hospital between January 2020 and November 2020. Viremic and ART-suppressed HIV-positive patients and negative controls were included in this study. HIV1 p24 KC57-, p24 28B7-, PD1-, and TIM3-positive CD₄ and CD₃ T cells were analyzed from whole blood using a BD FACS Canto II flow cytometer equipped with FACSDiva software. HIV1 p24 antigen FCM results were compared with HIV1 RNA viral load results measured by Alinity M assays on the fully automated random-access platform. We analyzed the data using SPSS 20.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The absolute CD₄ ⁺ and CD₄ ⁺:CD₈ ⁺ T-cells ratio showed a significant inverse correlation with HIV1 viral load. Moreover, the absolute CD4⁺ T-cells count showed a significant inverse correlation with p24 KC57-positive CD₄ T cells. The percentage of p24 KC57, p24 28B7, and double-positive CD₄ T cells showed significant correlation with HIV1 viral load. PD1 expressing CD₄ T cells were higher in ART-viremic cases than controls, while TIM3-expressing CD₄ T cells were lower in ART-viremic cases than controls. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of p24 KC57-positive CD₄ T cells were 64%, 82%, 78%, and 69%, respectively, for the diagnosis of HIV infection and 55%, 73%, 40%, and 83%, respectively, for treatment monitoring.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our protocol showed moderate performance for the diagnosis of HIV infection and treatment monitoring. Therefore, the p24 KC57 but not the p24 28B7 clone could be considered as a simple alternative method for rapid diagnosis of HIV infections and treatment monitoring, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2022-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/26/13/hiv-14-365.PMC9359413.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40623142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}