scholarly journals Trajectories of Posttraumatic Growth Following HIV Infection: Does One PTG Pattern Exist?

Author(s):  
Marcin Rzeszutek ◽  
Ewa Gruszczyńska

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the heterogeneity of change of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in a 1-year prospective study. The goal was also to identify sociodemographic and clinical covariates and differences in baseline coping strategies. Particularly, time since diagnosis and positive reframing coping were of special interest. The sample consisted of 115 people with medically confirmed diagnosis of HIV infection. The participants filled out paper-and-pencil questionnaires three times with an interval of 6 months, including also sociodemographic and clinical data. Four trajectories of PTG were identified: curvilinear, low stable, high stable, and rapid change. Participants’ gender, education level, CD4 count and time since HIV diagnosis occurred to be significant covariates of class membership. Positive reframing and self-distraction differentiated only between the high stable and the rapid change trajectory, with lower values in the latter. The study results call for attention to the complexity of PTG patterns in a face of struggling with HIV infection. Specifically, interventions in clinical practice should take into account the fact that there is no single pattern of PTG that fits all PLWH and that these differences may be related to the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as to coping strategies representing meaning-making mechanism.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 494-530
Author(s):  
Layze Braz de Oliveira ◽  
Christefany Régia Braz Costa ◽  
Priscila Silva Pontes ◽  
Rosilane de Lima Brito Magalhães ◽  
Elucir Gir ◽  
...  

Objetivo: Analizar si existen diferencias entre las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y afectivas sexuales en las diferentes asociaciones sexuales entre personas viviendo con VIH / sida. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado en un servicio de asistencia especializada en el tratamiento de personas con el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana, con 173 participantes. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de entrevistas con cuestionarios construidos para el estudio. Resultados: Se verificaron evidencias estadísticas entre la serología del compañero y el sexo, estado civil, hijo, número de hijos. La serología del compañero sexual también presentó evidencias científicas entre las variables tipo de asociación, uso del preservativo masculino, práctica sexual vaginal insertiva, divulgación del diagnóstico del VIH para la asociación sexual y considera importante la divulgación del VIH para el socio. Conclusión: La serología del compañero fue influenciada por las variables sociodemográficas y afectivo-sexuales. Objective: To analyze whether there are differences between socio-demographic, clinical and affective-sexual characteristics in the different sexual partnerships between people living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a care service specialized in the treatment of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, with 173 participants. Data were collected through interviews with a questionnaire built for the study. Results: Statistical evidences were verified between the serology of the partner and the sex, marital status, child, number of children. The serology of the sexual partner also presented scientific evidence among the type variables of partnership, use of the male condom, insertive vaginal sex, dissemination of the HIV diagnosis to the sexual partnership and the importance of spreading HIV to the partner. Conclusion: The serology of the partner was influenced by sociodemographic and affective-sexual variables.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadiel Rafael Alvarado ◽  
Courtney Usry ◽  
Rosco Gore ◽  
James Watts ◽  
Jason Okulicz

Abstract Objective People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and development of subclinical echocardiographic abnormalities. The pathogenicity of HIV induced cardiotoxicity has been described however the time to development of echocardiographic abnormalities after HIV acquisition remains unclear. In this study we describe the echocardiographic evaluations of asymptomatic US Air Force members who were diagnosed with HIV infection. Results Patients (n=50) were predominantly male (96%), mostly black (60%), with a mean age of 28 years. At HIV diagnosis, the mean viral load was 112,585 copies/mL and CD4 count was 551 cells/uL; 2 patients were diagnosed with AIDS. All were found to have normal systolic ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) however evidence of right ventricular dilatation and cardiac remodeling was observed in 7 (14%) and 13 (26%) patients, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in echocardiographic findings by HIV disease severity or CVD risk factors (p >0.05 for all). This study suggests that untreated HIV may have a low impact on the development of echocardiographic abnormalities shortly after seroconversion. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the optimal CVD risk assessment strategies for PLHIV.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Georgia Kostaki ◽  
Stefanos Limnaios ◽  
Sotirios Roussos ◽  
Mina Psichogiou ◽  
Georgios K. Nikolopoulos ◽  
...  

Improving HIV diagnosis, access to care and effective antiretroviral treatment provides our global strategy to reduce HIV incidence. To reach this goal we need to increase our knowledge about local epidemics. HIV infection dates would be an important information towards this goal, but they are largely unknown. To date, methods to estimate the dates of HIV infection are based mainly on laboratory or molecular methods. Our aim was to validate molecular clock inferred infection dates that were estimated by analysing sequences from 145 people living with HIV (PLHIV) with known transmission dates (clinically estimated infection dates). All HIV sequences were obtained by Sanger sequencing and were previously found to belong to well-established molecular transmission clusters (MTCs). Our analysis showed that the molecular clock inferred infection dates were correlated with the clinically estimated ones (Spearmans Correlation coefficient = 0.93, p<0.001) and that there was an agreement between them (Lins concordance correlation coefficient = 0.92, p<0.001). For most cases (61.4%), the molecular clock inferred preceded the clinically estimated infection dates. The median difference between clinically and molecularly estimated dates of infection was of 0.18 (IQR: -0.21, 0.89) years. The lowest differences were identified in people who inject drugs of our study population. Our study shows that the estimated time to more recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of nodes within clusters provides a reliable approximation of HIV infections for PLHIV infected within MTCs. Next-generation sequencing data and molecular clock estimates based on heterochronous sequences provide, probably, more reliable methods for inferring infection dates. However, since these data are not available in most of the HIV clinical laboratories, our approach, under specific conditions, can provide a reliable estimation of HIV infection dates and can be used for HIV public health interventions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1215-1225
Author(s):  
Roshna Thapa ◽  
Youngran Yang

Although it has been well documented that the HIV infection experience can be problematic for those affected, the experiences and perceptions of living with HIV among married males in Cambodia have not yet been examined until now. This study’s purpose was to describe the revelations, emotions, reactions, and adjustments to HIV diagnosis among infected Cambodian males in seroconcordant heterosexual relationship. Fifteen qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 HIV-positive males using unstructured, open-ended questions and in the local Khmer language. Conventional content analysis method was employed for analyzing data. After analysis, four main categories were developed: knowledge of HIV-positive status; realization of self-deeds; discouraging news for both partners; and comparative improvement of life. Participants reported the appearance of physical symptoms as the only reason for pursuing HIV testing. Feelings ranged from sadness and guilt to acceptance of HIV infection in their lives. The participants’ wives expressed anger and worry about being infected by their husbands. However, sufficient inspiration from medical personnel and peer groups, as well as a shared concern for their children, helped couples adjust to their dyadic relationship. The study results highlight the link between individual and couple experiences and emotions post-infection, with implications for designing and implementing coping interventions for this population. The findings of this study have public health implications in the design of couple-based intervention and counseling programs for HIV prevention and treatment with the input of the HIV-positive individuals’ voices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
D. V. Antonova ◽  
V. V. Bocharov ◽  
N. S. Chrustaleva

The aim of the study was to explore the common misconceptions about HIV as a determinant of the HIV epidemic growth and as a factor affecting disease outcomes.Materials and methods. The study involved 136 persons (50 persons with blood-borne infection route, 50 persons with heterosexual transmission, 36 persons without HIV). As research methods a special clinical map was used, as well as an author’s questionnaire, which allows to register the characteristics of risky behavior in relation to infection and the characteristics of the life situation of the disease. Statistical data processing included the definition of primary statistics, the Fisher criterion, ANOVA.Study results. A frequent occurrence of distorted representations about HIV was noted in all groups. It has been established that people living with HIV and healthy respondents do not differ in the frequency of HIV testing. The features of the life situation of the disease related to the method of the disease transmission were revealed in the study. It has been established that people living with HIV with different infection route differ in the frequency of late HIV diagnosis, the presence of AIDS, refusal of treatment. The results determine the need to increase public awareness of the disease and correct distorted representations about it.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenza Regine ◽  
Maria Dorrucci ◽  
Patrizio Pezzotti ◽  
Alessia Mammone ◽  
Chantal Quinten ◽  
...  

Background and aims Late HIV diagnosis is associated with onward HIV transmission, higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. In Italy, more than half of people living with HIV were diagnosed late during the last decade, with a CD4 count < 350 cells/mm3 at diagnosis. We aimed to determine the number and characteristics of people living with undiagnosed HIV infection and low CD4 counts in Italy. Methods: Data on newly reported HIV diagnoses from 2012 –2014 were obtained from the national HIV surveillance system. We used the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control HIV modelling tool to calculate the undiagnosed prevalence and yearly diagnosed fraction (YDF) in people with low CD4 count. Results: The estimated annual number undiagnosed HIV infections with low CD4 count was on average 6,028 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4,954–8,043) from 2012–2014. In 2014, most of the undiagnosed people with low CD4 count were men (82.8%), a third acquired HIV through sex between men (MSM) (35.0%), and heterosexual transmission (33.4%), respectively. The prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection was 11.3 (95% CI: 9.3–14.9) per 100,000 residents ranging from 0.7 to 20.8 between Italian regions. Nationally the prevalence rate was 280.4 (95% CI: 173.3–450.2) per 100,000 MSM, 8.3 (95% CI: 4.9–13.6) per 100,000 heterosexual men, and 3.0 (95% CI: 1.4–5.6) per 100,000 women. The YDF was highest among heterosexual women (27.1%; 95% CI: 16.9–45.2%). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of improving efforts to identify undiagnosed HIV infections primarily among men, both MSM and heterosexual men.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocío Rodríguez-Rey ◽  
Alba Palacios ◽  
Jesús Alonso-Tapia ◽  
Elena Pérez ◽  
Elena Álvarez ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Xuan Chuong Tran ◽  
Thi Thanh Hoa Le ◽  
Ngoc Van Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Nguyen

Background: HIV/AIDS is still a dangerous infection in Vietnam and in the world. Studying of HIV infection and related factors in high risk groups, including female massage therapists is therefore very important. Aims: 1. To study the HIV infection in female massage therapists in Quang Ngai province. 2. To fine some related factors to HIV infection. Patients and methods: Female massage therapists working in Quang Ngai province. Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Results: The rate of HIV infection was 0.99%. Group older than 22 years old had higher rate of infection than group under 22 years old (1.80% vs 0.69%). The girls from urban areas or not using condom had higher rate of infection than group from rural or not using condom (1.57% vs 0.47% and 7.32% vs. 0.57%). Most of HIV infected belong to single or divorce groups. Conclusions: The rate of HIV infection in female massage therapists in Quang Ngai province was 0.99%. The HIV infection related factor was not using condom in sexual contact. Keywords: HIV, female massage therapists, Quang Ngai


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Mardia Mardia ◽  
Riris Andono Ahmad ◽  
Bambang Sigit Riyanto

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS based on the criteria for diagnosis and other factors.Methods: This study was conducted in the VCT clinic hospital of Dr. Moewardi. The population was HIV-positive patients with antiretroviral therapy. Data collection conducted through medical records and interview to patients. Results: Out of a total of 89 respondents, 66.29% were males and 71.91% were aged between 26-45 years. We found significant correlations for diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infections, time since HIV diagnosis, duration of ARV therapy, social support, modes of transport, sex, age, and marital status with the quality of life. Multivariate analysis obtained by each variable showed the strongest association with the quality of life was time since diagnosis, social support and duration of ARV therapy. Conclusion: The quality of life was better for those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS ≥ 32 months, with social support, and who have been undergoing antiretroviral therapy ≥ 29 months. Improved counseling in the early days of ARV therapy is necessary to always maintain the treatment and provide support for their social life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Melissa Zeligman ◽  
◽  
Lindsey Grossman ◽  
Ashley Tanzosh ◽  
◽  
...  

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