HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care最新文献

{"title":"Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Uptake and Its Effect on Tuberculosis Incidence Among People Living with HIV in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle Zones, South-West Ethiopia, 2022: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Gebremeskel Mulatu, Maycas Gembe, Jiregna Chalchisa, Tigist Teklu, Worke Yismaw, Debela Dereje, Habtamu Wondmagegn","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S436787","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S436787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death among human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients. Based on the 2020 global TB report, Ethiopia was among the 30 high TB and TB/HIV burden countries. This study filled gaps regarding IPT uptake in the study area and representative sample determination for assessing TB incidence and its predictors at public health facilities in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle zones, south-west Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study was conducted among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at public health facilities in Illubabor and Buno Bedelle zones, south-west Ethiopia. Both isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) exposed and unexposed PLHIV were followed from the date of ART initiation until the date of TB diagnosis of the most recent visit prior to the end of follow-up. The Cox proportional hazard model was employed to identify variables that predicted the incidence of TB at a P value of <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were collected on 421 PLHIV, with a response rate of 97.4%. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of the study participants was 32 (28-40) year. The incidence rate of pulmonary TB was 3.1 per 1000 person-months (95% CI: 2.4-3.9). The incidence rate of TB among IPT-exposed PLHIV was 1.45 per 1000 person-months, but it was 6.2 per 1000 person-months in the unexposed group. Patient's residence, IPT exposure, baseline ART adherence, baseline hemoglobin level, baseline CD4+ cell, recent hemoglobin level, recent CD4+ cell, recent BMI, and recent WHO HIV clinical stage were independently associated with the incidence of TB.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Healthcare professionals working in ART clinics should routinely assess HIV-positive individuals for changes in clinical indicators and environmental exposures like living conditions, which will help HIV-positive individuals in reducing their risk for TB. Likewise, patients attending ART clinics should receive counseling on a regular basis.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10637256/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89721592","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":"Clinical Assessment and Management in Improving the Quality of Life of HIV/AIDS Patients with Oral Candidiasis: A Case Series","authors":"Yessy Novianti, Irna Sufiawati","doi":"10.2147/hiv.s434175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/hiv.s434175","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Oral candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), impacting their quality of life. This report aims to emphasize the importance of clinical assessment and management of HIV/AIDS patients with oral candidiasis to improve their quality of life. Case: Five male patients, aged between 32 and 71 years, came to the HIV clinic and complained of white plaques in their mouths and painful swallowing. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) clinical staging of all patients was 4. Three patients had not yet received antiretroviral therapy (ART), and their total lymphocyte counts (TLC) of < 1.170 cells/mm 3 . Two patients had dropped out of ART with CD4 counts were < 40 cells/mm 3 . The body mass index of two patients was underweight, while the others were normal. The oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S) of the patients was fair to poor. The quality of life assessment using the oral health impact profile 14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires before therapy showed values from 6– 20. Clinical examination defined the diagnosis as oral candidiasis, exfoliative cheilitis, oral hairy leukoplakia, and a cytomegalovirus-related ulcer. Case Management: The patients were treated with fluconazole, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, 2% miconazole cream, diphenhydramine, and multivitamins. The oral lesions were improved within 14 days to a month of treatment, and OHIP-14 scores were significantly reduced (0– 3). Conclusion: Clinical assessment is important in managing HIV/AIDS patients with oral candidiasis, which improves the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, routine clinical assessment and management of HIV/AIDS patients are strongly recommended. Keywords: AIDS, HIV, oral candidiasis, quality of life","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135764209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Life of People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Monastir, Tunisia","authors":"Latifa Berrezouga, Ikbel Kooli, Wafa Marrakchi, Ghaya Harzallah, Mohamed Chakroun","doi":"10.2147/hiv.s430376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/hiv.s430376","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Despite the benefits of an efficient antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV/AIDS epidemic still represents the most seriousaffection worldwide that negatively impacts people’s quality of life (QoL). As no studies exist on QoL in Tunisia, the aim of the present work was i: to assess, based on WHOQOL-HIV BREF tool, the perception of QoL of people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving ART and ii: to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic features, disease-related variables and QoL domains’ mean scores. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of infectious diseases of F. Bourguiba Teaching Hospital in Monastir, Tunisia. One hundred and five participants receiving ART were involved. QoL assessment was based on the WHOQOL-HIV Bref including six domains with 29 items with scores ranged from the lowest (4) to the highest (20). Results were reported as frequencies and means (±SD). The Student’s t -test for independent samples and the one-way ANOVA were performed to assess differences in QoL mean scores. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of QoL. The confidence interval was set at 95%. Results: Clients’ mean age was 39.20± 10.18 years old with a male to female sex ratio of 3.12. Low mean scores were seen with the environment (12.34± 2.90), social relations (12.58± 3.94) and psychological domains (12.76± 3.31), and moderate mean scores were noted for the physical (14.11± 3.52), the spiritual (14.05± 3.78) and the level of independence (13.98± 3.57) domains. Regression analysis showed that health status and feeling healthy were related to all QoL domains and that profession, marital status and the presence of a confident person were related to environment and spiritual domains. Conclusion: QoL of PLHIV on ART is affected. Concrete measures and strategies should be undertaken by healthcare stakeholders to improve QoL determinants. Keywords: people living with HIV, WHO quality of life, Tunisia","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135615374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Positive Impact of Foods Support on Loss to Follow Up Among Children and Adolescents on HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in a District Hospital in East Cameroon","authors":"Habakkuk Yumo, Jackson Jr Ndenkeh, Marcus Beissner","doi":"10.2147/hiv.s417852","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/hiv.s417852","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The pediatric HIV treatment coverage in Cameroon remains low at 35%. The high loss to follow up (LTFU) remains a major factor to this dismal performance which is related to the lack of implementation of effective interventions to improve retention in care. This study assessed the impact of foods support (FS) on LTFU among children and adolescents in a rural district hospital in eastern Cameroon. Methods: This was a retro-prospective study conducted in Abong Mbang District Hospital (ADH) in the East Region of Cameroon. We provided foods kits to children and adolescents initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in this facility during the study and followed them up prospectively (prospective phase). On the other hand, using medical records, we collected retrospectively data for children and adolescents who enrolled on ART in the hospital prior to the study (retrospective phase). We then compared the proportions of children and adolescents LTFU before (no FS) and after (with FS) the study, using the Fisher’s exact test, logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional-hazards model at 5% significant level. Results: We found that with FS, the proportion of children and adolescents LTFU was 11 times lower (2.4% vs 26.7%, p =0.014), the mean time of retention in care was 30% higher (17 months vs 12 months, p < 0.001) and children and adolescents who did not receive FS were 10 times more likely to be LTFU [aHR=10.3 (4.0– 26.2), p < 0.001)]. Conclusion: Foods support is an effective intervention in reducing LTFU among children and adolescents on ART. This intervention should be adequately funded to enable a large-scale implementation in the field. This could help to improve the outcome of pediatric ART coverage in resource-limited settings. Keywords: HIV care, foods assistance, foods support, loss to follow up, retention, children, adolescents","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135614474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV in Three Groups of Young People from Medellín: General Population, Organizations for People with Socioeconomic Vulnerability, and Men Who Have Sex with Other Men.","authors":"Jaiberth Antonio Cardona-Arias, Nicole Nahomy Narváez Moreno, Luis Felipe Higuita-Gutiérrez","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S434036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S434036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In Colombia, there are no studies that analyze the effect of socioeconomic vulnerability and belonging to the group of men who have sex with other men (MSM) on the prevalence of HIV in young people.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the prevalence of HIV in three groups of young people from Medellín-Colombia: general population, socioeconomic vulnerability and MSM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional analytical study included 2449 young people from the general population, 1736 from institutions that serve young people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, and 2269 MSM. The prevalence of infection in each group was determined, statistical differences were identified using Pearson's Chi-square and Trend's Chi-square, and crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals. Analyses were performed in SPSS 29.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HIV prevalence was 0.8% in the general population group, 1.3% in young people with socioeconomic vulnerability, and 5.6% in MSM. The groups with the highest HIV were as follows: (i) in MSM it was 4.1 compared to the general population, (ii) between 25-28 years of age it was 2.9 times compared to those under 20 years, (iii) in men it was 10 times that registered in women, (iv) in young people with primary, secondary, technical and university studies it was 7.1; 6.7; 11.0 and 14.5 times that found in those who did not register studies, (v) in affiliates of the subsidized health regime it was 2.2 times and in those without affiliation 2.4 times compared to the infection in affiliates of the contributory health regime.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HIV prevalence was high, and explained by socioeconomic vulnerability, having sex between men, gender, age, education, and health affiliation, demonstrating the intersectionality of determinants of the health system, socioeconomic status, and determinants individuals in the occurrence of HIV in young people in Medellín.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10625778/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71487268","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":"Barriers and Facilitators to Utilization of Community Drug Distribution Points Among People Living with HIV in Bushenyi District, South-Western Uganda: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"David Oyet, Vallence Niyonzima, Gideon Akol, Emmanuel Onyait, Daphine Twinomugisha, Doreen Kawala Wambera, Edith K Wakida, Celestino Obua","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S422040","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S422040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>People living with HIV (PLHIV) still have challenges in accessing HIV services in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In Uganda, community drug distribution points (CDDPs) are part of interventions to improve access to anti-retroviral medications. However, there is still low enrollment in CDDPs among PLHIV in south-western Uganda, particularly in Bushenyi district. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to the utilization of CDDPs among PLHIV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive qualitative study utilizing a qualitative approach. We purposively recruited 24 PLHIV and 6 Primary healthcare providers as key informants. We conducted in-depth interviews with PLHIV and key informant interviews with Primary healthcare providers using an interview guide. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim to Rukiga-Runyankore and then translated into English. Data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven themes were developed describing drivers for the utilization of CDDPs. These were broadly categorized into facilitators and barriers. The main facilitators of the utilization of CDDPs were peer support, positive Primary healthcare providers' attitudes, satisfaction with HIV services, and accessibility of ART services. The main barriers were stigma, lack of physical infrastructure, and lack of comprehensive services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendation: </strong>Utilization of CDDPs is facilitated by accessibility and Primary healthcare providers' attitude. Stigma is still a limitation to the utilization of HIV services. We recommend that Ministry of Health and other development partners should improve physical infrastructural facilities at the CDDP sites so that the privacy and confidentiality of the PLHIV are protected. Focus on interventions to eliminate stigma by Primary healthcare providers and other stakeholders at CDDP sites is urgently needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/44/42/hiv-15-633.PMC10588743.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49692966","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":"Anemia in HIV Patients Attending Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital: Prevalence, Morphological Classification, and Associated Factors.","authors":"Rose Kaudha,&nbsp;Richard Amanya,&nbsp;Demiano Kakuru,&nbsp;Roggers Muhumuza Atwooki,&nbsp;Ronald Mutebi Muyoozi,&nbsp;Robert Wagubi,&nbsp;Enoch Muwanguzi,&nbsp;Benson Okongo","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S425807","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S425807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To determine the prevalence of anemia, the morphological classification and to assess the factors associated with anemia among HIV patients attending Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) clinic at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study among 340 participants attending the HAART clinic at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. Participants were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. A complete blood count (CBC) was performed using the Sysmex XN-550 hematology analyzer. Thick films were made and examined for malaria parasites, while thin films were examined for the morphological classification of anemia. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 23).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 340 study participants, 255 (75%) were females, and the median age was 39 years (range: 6-76 years). The overall prevalence of anemia among the study participants was 16.8% (95% CI 13.1-21.1). Normocytic normochromic anemia was the most prevalent form of anemia (47.4%). The logistic regression at multivariate analysis showed that age groups (18-27 years, p = 0.017; 28-37 years, p = 0.005; and ≥38 years, p = 0.009), divorced marital status (p = 0.024), the presence of chronic disease (p = 0.010), a family history of anemia (p = 0.007), and the presence of malaria in the past one month (p = 0.001), presence of opportunistic infection (OR = 58, p = 0.000), use of antihelminthic drug in the past 3 months (OR = 0.10, p = 0.003) and unsuppressed viral load (OR = 10.74, p = 0.000) had a significant association with anemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anemia is prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients who receive treatment at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. Age, marital status, the presence of chronic illnesses, a family history of anemia, experiencing malaria in the past 3 months, the presence of opportunistic infections, the use of antihelminthic drugs in the past 3 months, and an unsuppressed viral load were significantly associated with anemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/e5/d0/hiv-15-621.PMC10578157.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41239794","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 Virological Failure Among Patients >15 Years on Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Rural Lesotho Between 2015 and 2019 - A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Thabo Ishmael Lejone, Ozayr Mahomed","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S424277","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S424277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lesotho has the second-highest HIV prevalence globally at an estimated 23%, with approximately 87% of the population between 15 and 59 years of age reported to be receiving antiretroviral treatment. There is an urgent need to increase access to effective ART due to increasing rates of first- and second-line treatment failure. Sustaining successful treatment and limiting the development of virological failure is essential, hence the need for early detection of increased viral load indicating drug resistance or rapid progression of viral replication.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of the study was to determine the proportion of patients with HIV with virological failure and to identify factors associated with virological failure in two districts of Lesotho.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted in two districts (Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong) in Lesotho. Data for all patients (age ≥15 years) in the viral load (VL) monitoring database with at least two consecutive viral load results between December 2015 and December 2019 from 22 health facilities were extracted. Descriptive data were presented using tables and figures. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A p-value < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant association.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only 4% (n = 913) of the study participants had virological failure. Longer time on treatment >65 months (AOR: 1.85 CI: 1.59-2.15) and being on second-line ART regimen (AOR: 75.23 95% CI: 75.00-99.15) were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with virological failure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Virological failure among the study participants is lower compared to other settings. The study identified duration on treatment, treatment regimen as high risk for virological failure. Targeted interventions should be developed for these high-risk group individuals, with continuous monitoring of virological response and appropriate drug switching to clients to achieve improved outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/13/a9/hiv-15-611.PMC10577259.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41239795","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":"Development and Validation of a Three-Parameter Scoring System for Monitoring HIV/AIDS Patients in Low-Resource Settings Using Hematological Parameters.","authors":"Jamil A Al-Mughales","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S431139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S431139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to test the validity of a composite score using complete blood count (CBC) for monitoring HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the absence of viral load and CD4 count.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study analyzed the laboratory data of 82 HIV patients who had pre- and post-treatment viral load, CD4 count, and CBC data. Pre- and post-treatment data were pooled to analyze the correlation of CBC parameters with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) ranks and their performance in indicating a CD4 count<200 cells/mm3 using the Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC), with the determination of cutoffs. A score combining the significant parameters was tested to predict a CD4 count of <200.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Total lymphocyte count (TLC), percentage (TLP), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were the most significant parameters, showing negative correlations with PCR (Spearman's Rho = -0.357 to -0.242). The risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was independently associated with TLC<1345 cells/mm3 (OR=2.92), TLP<29.07% (OR=3.53), and Hb<10.55 mg/dL (OR=3.60). A combined score of 2-3 indicated a CD4 count<200 with an odds ratio of 8.3-86.7.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The proposed 3-parameter score combining the use of TLC, TLP, and Hb, is an affordable and practical approach that may have clinical utility in monitoring HIV patients receiving ART in low-resource settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f5/75/hiv-15-599.PMC10561757.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41215804","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 Psychosocial Profile of Women Who Defaulted Option B+ HIV Treatment: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Study.","authors":"Patricia Mae Dhlakama,&nbsp;Constance Matshidiso Lelaka,&nbsp;Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S401336","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S401336","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The study explored the psychosocial profile of women who defaulted Option B+ HIV treatment at Chitungwiza Municipality clinics in Zimbabwe. Option B+ is a strategy to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV to reduce MTCT rate to less than or equal to 5%.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) design was used. Data were collected from 04 September to 12 October 2020 on twelve purposively selected HIV-positive breastfeeding women aged 18 to 40 years, who defaulted Option B+ HIV treatment. Unstructured individual face-to-face interviews were utilised. Data were analysed thematically using the interpretive phenomenological analysis framework for data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study findings revealed that participants experienced the following: psychosocial and emotional challenges due to HIV positive results, shown emotional distress and suicidal tendencies which affected their mental health. Their relationship was derailed due to abuse, infidelity, partner's high-risk behaviour and to lack of support stemming from their partners and family members.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Strengthening adherence support interventions and effective counselling on HIV-positive status disclosure and male partner involvement is important for retaining women in care and for improving their quality of life. Comprehensive, integrated, and tailor-made interventions should be adopted. Couple HIV counselling and testing should be encouraged. Psychosocial and mental health should be encouraged. Furthermore, community sensitization, risk reduction behaviour, education on purpose and side effects of ART as well as the benefits of Option B+ to new enrolments should be intensified and strengthened to minimize defaulting of treatment and LTFUP. Vigorous patient tracing and visit reminders help retain women in care.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c2/f5/hiv-15-583.PMC10545953.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41167555","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}