Safer sexual behaviours after 1 year of antiretroviral treatment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a prospective cohort study

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Shandir Ramlagan
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Over Time

Background: As antiretroviral treatment (ART) becomes more widely available in low and middle income countries, the relationship between treatment and sexual risk behaviour in these countries has also become more important. Methods: This is a prospective study of all treatment-naϊve patients (n = 735) recruited from all three public hospitals in Uthukela health district in KwaZulu-Natal and followed up at 6 and 12 months of being on ART. Results: No evidence of increased risky sexual behaviours over time was found, from before commencing on ART, to 6 and 12 months on ART. Specifically, a significant reduction in risk taking was reported regarding sex without a condom in the past 3 months (P = 0.001) and unprotected sex with HIV-negative or unknown HIV status persons (P = 0.003). The number of sexual partners did, however, not significantly reduce over time. Some socio-demographic factors were associated with unprotected sex (being a man: odds ratio 1.7 (1.1–2.7), lower education: 0.4 (0.2–0.8)), one health factor (higher CD4 cell counts: 2.6 (1.1–6.1)) and social-behavioural factors (higher stigma: 1.2 (1.1–1.3), alcohol use at last sex: 6.9 (1.8–26.1)) and lower ART adherence: 0.5 (0.2–0.08)), while HIV knowledge (ART optimism, duration since known HIV-positive, HIV disease and treatment related knowledge), HIV symptoms and depression were not associated with unprotected sex. Conclusions: This prospective study with a large sample of persons on ART showed evidence of inhibition of risky sexual behaviours over time. Although unsafe sexual behaviours had decreased, some proportion did not practice safe sex.

scholarly journals Sexting and risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students in Botswana: An exploratory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Obakeng L. Makgale ◽  
Ilse Elisabeth Plattner
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours

Little is known about sexting behaviours among young people living in African countries. This exploratory study investigated sexting behaviours among undergraduate students in Botswana (N = 309, 64.5% female; mean age = 20.3 years). Most participants (84.8%) had received sexts and many (61.8%) had sent sexts at least once in their lifetime. Reasons for sending sexts were to flirt (42.9%), to have fun (24.6%), and/or to initiate sexual activity (17.8%). Only 36.7% of the participants were worried about their sexts being forwarded to others, and 30.2% had forwarded sexts to others. Being sexually active (OR = 4.52), drinking alcohol (OR = 2.52), and having a mother with tertiary level education (OR = 0.40) emerged as significant predictors of sending sexts. Among participants who had sexual intercourse at least once in their lifetime (N = 164), an increase in the frequency of sexting was associated with an increase in the number of sexual partners and with sex under the influence of alcohol and drugs. However, sexting behaviours were not associated with unprotected sex. The results are compared with findings from Western countries and discussed with regard to public health care and safe sex education in Botswana.

scholarly journals Use of dating sites and applications by women and their risk of sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e038738
Author(s):  
Janice França Queiroz ◽  
Kleyton Santos Medeiros ◽  
Ayane Cristine Alves Sarmento ◽  
Michelly Nóbrega Monteiro ◽  
Ricardo Ney Cobucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours

IntroductionThe use of social networks has been increasing worldwide. Mobile websites and applications (apps) allow people to network more quickly and have more partners for sex. This can facilitate risky sexual behaviours, such as having multiple partners and unprotected sex, which can lead to a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections. This systematic review/meta-analysis will assess the effects of the use of dating sites and apps by women on their level of engagement in risky sexual behaviours and their incidence of sexually transmitted infections.Methods and analysisThe Cochrane Central Controlled Trials Registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature will be searched for cross-sectional studies, clinical trials and observational studies published between January 1990 and July 2020. This systematic review and meta-analysis will include studies investigating the use of mobile apps by women, risky sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infections. The outcome will be an increase in new cases of sexually transmitted infections and HIV among women using dating sites and apps. Three independent reviewers will select the studies and extract data from the original articles. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Risk Of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions. Data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager software (RevMan V.5.2.3). To assess heterogeneity, we will compute the I2 statistic. In addition, a quantitative synthesis will be carried out if the included studies are sufficiently homogeneous.Ethics and disseminationThis study will be a review of the published data, and thus ethical approval is not required. The findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019120494.

scholarly journals Risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbuzeleni Hlongwa ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Khumbulani Hlongwana
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours

Abstract Background: Despite several intervention programmes in South Africa, risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age remain a public health concern, thereby making them prone to unintended pregnancies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study investigated the predictors of risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 471 women of reproductive age (18-49 years, mean: 25.83) in 10 public health clinics in Umlazi township, using a structured questionnaire. Data were coded, entered into Epi Data Manager and exported to Stata for analysis. A Pearson Chi-square test and logistic regression models (bivariate and multivariate) were employed to assess the level of the association between the predictor and outcome variables and the p-value 0.05 or lower was considered statistically significant.Results: More than half (51.80%) of women were aged 18-24 years and only a handful (18.26%) had tertiary qualification. The majority were single (88.96%) and the unemployed accounted for 53.50%. This study found that women who talked about condoms with their partners in the past 12 months were more likely (p=<0.0001) to have used condoms during their last sexual experience. Older women (p=0.035) were more likely to use a condom at last sex, compared to younger women. However, women who were exposed to physical partner violence (hitting and/or slapping), those who had ever been diagnosed with HIV and those whose sexual partners were diagnosed with HIV, did not show a significant association with condom use during last sexual experience.Conclusion: Exposure to physical partner violence and poor partner discussions about condoms are key deterrents to condom usage. Holistic interventions are required in order to address the risky behaviours, and consequently reduce sexually transmitted infections and/or unintended pregnancies.

scholarly journals Gender norms and sexual behaviours among men in western Jamaica

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melonie M. Walcott ◽  
Ellen Funkhouser ◽  
Maung Aung ◽  
Mirjam C. Kempf ◽  
John Ehiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Gender Norms ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Sex Partners ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours

Objectives Gender norms, especially among men, can reduce the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. We sought to assess the association between attitudes towards gender norms and risky sexual behaviours, and identify sociodemographic factors that predict gender-inequitable and masculinity norms among men in western Jamaica. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey of 549 men aged 19–54 years was conducted. Attitudes towards gender norms were measured using the Gender Equitable Men and Macho scales. Logistic regression and general linear models were used to assess associations between gender norms and multiple sexual partners, and to identify the associated sociodemographic factors. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented. Results: Fifty-four percent of the participants (mean age = 32.4 years) reported multiple sex partners and 22% reported unprotected sex with non-regular partner in the past 12 months. Men with moderate (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.4–3.3) and high (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.0–8.5) support for inequitable gender norms, and moderate (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.7) and high (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5–4.3) support for masculinity norms were more likely to report multiple sex partners. Similarly, men with moderate (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3–4.3) and high (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.2–5.2) support for inequitable gender norms were more likely to report unprotected sex with a nonregular partner. Conclusion: A high proportion of Jamaican men engage in risky sexual behaviours. These results highlight the need for behaviour change interventions addressing gender norms targeting Jamaican men.

scholarly journals Risky Sexual Practices and Associated Factors for HIV/AIDS Infection among Private College Students in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zelalem Alamrew ◽  
Melkamu Bedimo ◽  
Muluken Azage
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Practices

Background. Adolescents and young adults engage in risky sexual behaviours that may expose them to risk of contracting sexual transmitted diseases. The aim of this study was to assess risky sexual practices and associated factors for HIV/AIDS infection. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2012 among 790 college students. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses with SPSS version 16 software package. Results. About 40.6% of sexually active respondents had risky sexual behaviours. Multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex were reported by 45.3% and 38.4% of sexually active respondents. Having multiple sexual partners was associated with alcohol use (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 2.02–5.08) and having a close friend who started sex (AOR = 5.99; 95% CI: 3.66–9.81). Unprotected sex was associated with marital status (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.55–4.64), alcohol intake (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.36–3.54), and frequency of visiting night clubs (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12–0.52) for those who visit occasionally and (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: (0.21–0.97) for those who visited at least once a week. Conclusion. Large proportions of students engaged in risky sexual behaviours and various risk factors were associated with risky sexual behaviours. Therefore, interventions targeting on alcohol intake, peer pressure, and attending night clubs are recommended.

scholarly journals Risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbuzeleni Hlongwa ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Khumbulani Hlongwana
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours

Abstract Background: Despite several intervention programmes in South Africa, risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age remain a public health concern, thereby making them prone to unintended pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study investigated the predictors of risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV-burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 471 women of reproductive age (18-49 years, mean: 25.83) in 10 public health clinics in Umlazi Township, using a structured questionnaire. Data were coded, entered into Epi Data Manager and exported to Stata for analysis. A Pearson Chi-square test and logistic regression models (bivariate and multivariate) were employed to assess the level of the association between the predictor and outcome variables and the p-value 0.05 or lower was considered statistically significant.Results: More than half (51.80%) of women were aged 18-24 years and only a handful (18.26%) had tertiary qualification. The majority were single (88.96%) and the unemployed accounted for 53.50%. This study found that women who talked about condoms with partner during the preceding 12 months were more likely (p=<0.0001) to have used condoms during their last sexual experience. Older women (p=0.035) were more likely to have used a condom at last sex, compared to younger women. However, women who were exposed to physical partner violence (hitting and/or slapping), those who had been diagnosed with HIV and those whose sexual partners were diagnosed with HIV, did not show a significant association with condom use at last sexual encounter.Conclusion: Exposure to physical partner violence and poor partner discussions about condoms are key deterrents to condom usage. Holistic interventions are required in order to address the risky behaviours, and consequently reduce sexually transmitted infections and/or unintended pregnancies.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With Risky Sexual Behaviour Amongst Students at a Training College in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nthuseni Sharon Murudi-Manganye ◽  
Ntsieni Mashau ◽  
Dorah Ramathuba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Unwanted Pregnancy ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Risky Sexual Practices

Abstract Background: Globally students who attend colleges indulge in risky sexual practices which in turn expose them to sexually transmitted infections. Risky sexual practices such as multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, and transactional sex continue to pose risks of sexual transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. Engaging in risky sexual behaviour is associated with various factors. Therefore, the reported study was aimed at describing the factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college in South Africa. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour amongst students. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire among 307 students who were random sampled. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to analyse data. Results: Among the respondents, 70,7% were females and 29.3% were males. Majority of the respondents 51.2% were staying at a rental place and about 49% were depending on the National Financial Aids Scheme (NSFAS). Staying at alone at a rental place and depending on the NSFAS is associated to engaging in risky sexual behaviours. Conclusions: Environmental factors and socio-economic factors contribute to risky sexual behaviours among students at a training college in Limpopo. Intervention to address the contributing factors should be implemented to curb the burden of engaging in risky sexual behaviours.

scholarly journals Three Manual Noncommercial Methods to Prepare Equine Platelet-Rich Plasma

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1478
Author(s):  
Lorenzo G. T. M. Segabinazzi ◽  
Giorgia Podico ◽  
Michael F. Rosser ◽  
Som G. Nanjappa ◽  
Marco A. Alvarenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Upright Position ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Blood Cell Counts ◽  
Platelet Concentration ◽  
Manual Methods ◽  
White Blood Cell Counts ◽  
Over Time

In light of PRP’s increasing popularity in veterinary practice, this study aimed to compare three manual methods to prepare and cool equine PRP. The blood of 18 clinically healthy mares was collected via venipuncture in a blood transfusion bag (method 1), blood tubes (method 2), and a syringe (method 3). In method 1, samples were double centrifuged; method 2 involved one centrifugation, and in method 3 the syringe was kept in an upright position to sediment for 4 h. After processing with three methods, PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were extracted and assessed for red (RBC) and white blood cell counts (WBC), platelet counts, and viability. In a subset of mares (n = 6), samples were processed with the three methods, and PRP was evaluated at 6 and 24 h postcooling at 5 °C. Method 1 resulted in the highest and method 3 in the lowest platelet concentration (p < 0.05), and the latter also had greater contamination with WBC than the others (p < 0.001). Platelet viability was similar across treatments (p > 0.05). Cooling for 24 h did not affect platelet counts in all methods (p > 0.05); however, platelet viability was reduced after cooling PRP produced by method 3 (p = 0.04), and agglutination increased over time in all methods (p < 0.001). The three methods increased (1.8–5.6-fold) platelet concentration in PRP compared to whole blood without compromising platelet viability. In conclusion, all three methods concentrated platelets and while cooling affected their viability. It remains unknown whether the different methods and cooling would affect PRP’s clinical efficacy.

scholarly journals Partnership among hospitals to reduce healthcare associated infections: a quasi-experimental study in Brazilian ICUs

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladjane Santos Wolmer de Melo ◽  
Maria Verônica Monteiro de Abreu ◽  
Bernuarda Roberta de Oliveira Santos ◽  
Maria das Graças Washington Casimiro Carr ◽  
Maria Fernanda Aparecida Moura de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Incidence Density ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are relevant in developing countries where frequencies can be at least 3 times higher than in developed countries. The purpose of this research was to describe the intervention implemented in intensive care units (ICUs) to reduce HAIs through collaborative project and analyze the variation over 18 months in the incidence density (ID) of the three main HAIs: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and also the length of stay and mortality in these ICUs. Methods A quasi-experimental study in five public adult clinical-surgical ICUs, to reduce HAIs, through interventions using the BTS-IHI “Improvement Model”, during 18 months. In the project, promoted by the Ministry of Health, Brazilian philanthropic hospitals certified for excellence (HE), those mostly private, certified as excellence and exempt from security contributions, regularly trained and monitored public hospitals in diagnostics, data collection and in developing cycles to improve quality and to prevent HAIs (bundles). In the analysis regarding the length of stay, mortality, the IDs of VAP, CLABSIs and CAUTIs over time, a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was applied for continuous variables, using the constant correlation (exchangeable) between assessments over time. The model estimated the average difference (β coefficient of the model) of the measures analyzed during two periods: a period in the year 2017 (prior to implementing the project) and in the years 2018 and 2019 (during the project). Result A mean monthly reduction of 0.427 in VAP ID (p = 0.002) with 33.8% decrease at the end of the period and 0.351 in CAUTI ID (p = 0.009) with 45% final decrease. The mean monthly reduction of 0.252 for CLABSIs was not significant (p = 0.068). Length of stay and mortality rates had no significant variation. Conclusions Given the success in reducing VAP and CAUTIs in a few months of interventions, the achievement of the collaborative project is evident. This partnership among public hospitals/HE may be applied to other ICUs including countries with fewer resources.

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