Self-reported HIV-positive status but subsequent HIV-negative test result using rapid diagnostic testing algorithms among seven sub-Saharan African military populations

Background The aim of this study was to assess perceptions of health professionals involved in HIV testing policy and practice in national settings across the WHO European Region regarding the delivery of HIV test results, post-test discussion and referral to specialist HIV services as recommended in authoritative guidelines. Methods: An online self-report survey was completed by a convenience sample of 338 respondents (response rate 34.1%) from 55 countries. Respondents worked with non-government organisations (49.4%), health services (32.8%), non-health service government agencies (6.2%) or other organisations (11.5%; e.g. prisons, education and research, international development). Results: Experts’ perceptions indicate that delivery of HIV-positive test results and related post-test discussion in their country generally corresponded to recommendations. However, results pointed to a significant gap perceived by experts between recommendations and the practice of delivering HIV-negative test results. Fewer respondents thought that suitable time is taken to deliver a negative HIV-test result (54.1%) than a positive result (73.1%). Also, fewer respondents thought there was a procedure for referral to specialist treatment, care and support services for people receiving a HIV-negative test result (34.9%) than for people receiving an HIV-positive test result (86.2%). Experts also reported low perceived use of communication technologies (i.e. telephone, email, text messaging, a secure website) for delivering HIV test results. Conclusions: This expert survey offers new insight into perceived HIV post-test practices in almost all national settings across the WHO European Region. The findings provide valuable guidance for future HIV testing guidelines for the WHO European Region.

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Sexually transmitted disease rates before and after HIV testing

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/0956462981922223 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 291-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nigel George ◽

John Green ◽

Siobhan Murphy

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Negative Test ◽

Negative Test Result ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Before And After ◽

Test Result

Summary: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of having an HIV-positive or negative test result on sexual risk behaviour before and after the test. Longitudinal retrospective case-note survey identifying new episodes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections in 114 subjects testing HIV positive and 114 matched negatives were examined at the Genitourinary Medicine Department, St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London. Across the whole sample in the year after HIV testing the number of cases of new STD infections was 40% of the number of cases in the year prior to HIV testing. There was no association between serostatus and incidence of STD infections before and after HIV testing. Of those testing negative, 5.3% were identified as having a new infection in the year after the HIV test, while amongst those testing positive there was a rate of new STDs of 2.6%. In conclusion, there was no evidence that having a negative test result increased the risk of acquisition of new STDs. Rates of new STD infections amongst seropositives in the year after HIV testing were low.

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Does improving appropriate use of malaria medicines change population beliefs in testing and treatment? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

Health Policy and Planning ◽

10.1093/heapol/czaa010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 556-566

Author(s):

Elisa M Maffioli ◽

Manoj Mohanan ◽

Indrani Saran ◽

Wendy Prudhomme O’Meara

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Diagnostic Testing ◽

Appropriate Use ◽

Negative Test ◽

Negative Test Result ◽

Experimental Intervention ◽

Public Resources ◽

The Relationship ◽

Test Result

Abstract A major puzzle in malaria treatment remains the dual problem of underuse and overuse of malaria medications, which deplete scarce public resources used for subsidies and lead to drug resistance. One explanation is that health behaviour, especially in the context of incomplete information, could be driven by beliefs, pivotal to the success of health interventions. The objective of this study is to investigate how population beliefs change in response to an experimental intervention which was shown to improve access to rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) through community health workers (CHWs) and to increase appropriate use of anti-malaria medications. By collecting data on individuals’ beliefs on malaria testing and treatment 12 and 18 months after the experimental intervention started, we find that the intervention increases the belief that a negative test result is correct, and the belief that the first-line anti-malaria drugs (artemisinin-based combination therapies or ACTs) are effective. Using mediation analysis, we also explore some possible mechanisms through which the changes happen. We find that the experience and knowledge about RDT and experience with CHWs explain 62.4% of the relationship between the intervention and the belief that a negative test result is correct. Similarly, the targeted use of ACTs and taking the correct dose—in addition to experience with RDT—explain 96.8% of the relationship between the intervention and the belief that the ACT taken is effective. As beliefs are important determinants of economic behaviour and might guide individuals’ future decisions, understanding how they change after a health intervention has important implications for long-term changes in population behaviour.

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Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Patients with Suspected COVID-19 and Their Relationship with a Negative RT-PCR Result

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9113552 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 3552 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yolanda Cuñarro-López ◽

Óscar Cano-Valderrama ◽

Pilar Pintado-Recarte ◽

Ignacio Cueto-Hernández ◽

Blanca González-Garzón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Oxygen Therapy ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Monocyte Count ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Negative Test ◽

Negative Test Result ◽

Test Result ◽

Pcr Test

This study was designed to examine maternal-perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to the result of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and to investigate possible variables that could be useful for predicting a negative RT-PCR result. Participants of this retrospective cohort study were obstetrics patients with suspected COVID-19 who underwent an RT-PCR test in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain. Maternal-perinatal features were analysed according to the results of this test. Clinical, radiological and analytical characteristics that could be associated with a negative result were also explored. In a final subgroup analysis, patients were included if they had pneumonia and a negative test result for the virus. Out of the 111 obstetric patients with suspected COVID-19 that were enrolled, 38.7% returned a negative result. In this RT-PCR-negative group, we recorded lower rates of pneumonia (21.4% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.009), severe or critical clinical features (4.7% vs. 11.8% and 0.0% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.02, respectively), lower lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (168 UI/L vs. 224.5 UI/L, p = 0.003), a greater need for maternal treatment (60.3% vs 24.4%, p < 0.001), a reduced need for oxygen therapy (2.4% vs 28.8%, p < 0.001) and a lower rate of intensive care unit admission (0.0% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.046) than the RT-PCR-positive group. While no differences were found in other variables, the monocyte count was higher (946.2/μL vs. 518.8/μL, p = 0.022) in this group. The predictive model for a negative test result included the monocyte count, LDH level and no need for oxygen therapy. This model was able to identify 73.5% of patients with a negative RT-PCR result. Only 11% of the patients with pneumonia testing negative for the virus had IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The proportion of pregnant women with suspected COVID-19 and a negative RT-PCR result was nearly 39%. In these patients, the symptoms were mild and the systemic severity of the disease was lower. The monocyte count, LDH level and no need for oxygen therapy were the factors that were more related to a negative test result in this group. These variables could be used to guide the management of patients with suspected COVID-19, mainly while waiting for RT-PCR results or in settings where this test is not available.

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The experiences of HIV-positive and HIV-negative children after receiving disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1328 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Grace Gachanja

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Negative

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that sought to understand the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children after they received disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that describes the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children in one study. Prior studies in SSA have mostly centered on the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive children after receiving disclosure of their own illnesses, or HIV-positive mothers’ descriptions of the effect of maternal disclosure on their HIV-negative children.

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Unexpected low frequency of respiratory symptoms in an HIV-positive urban sub-Saharan population compared to an HIV-negative control group

Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine ◽

10.4102/sajhivmed.v20i1.1010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maren Kummerow ◽

Erica J. Shaddock ◽

Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch ◽

Roos B. Barth ◽

Diederick E. Grobbee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Negative Control Group ◽

Negative Control ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Control Group ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Negative

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DNA and the displacement of certainties in brazilian family law

Sexualidad Salud y Sociedad (Rio de Janeiro) ◽

10.1590/1984-6487.sess.2019.32.02.a ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 4-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Claudia Fonseca

Keyword(s):

Family Law ◽

Recent Period ◽

Negative Test ◽

Negative Test Result ◽

The Real ◽

The Past ◽

Dna Technology ◽

The Impact ◽

Paternity Tests ◽

Test Result

Abstract Inquiring into the impact of DNA technology on Brazilian family law,, through the consultation of legislation, jurisprudence and specific legal briefs concerning paternity disputes, we map out trends over the past thirty years. We show how, after a moment of original skepticism, genetic evidence appears to dominate the legal scene, rendering personal testimony irrelevant. However, with growing concern about men who use a negative test result to disclaim their paternal status, this testimony is once again needed to clarify whether or not the man originally believed the child was his blood-related offspring. Finally, we look at a recent period, showing how reactions against the “real biological truth” have spawned a new juridical category-socio-affective paternity-that, spreading well beyond paternity tests, is altering some basic tenets of family law.

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The experiences of HIV-positive and HIV-negative children after receiving disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1328v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Grace Gachanja

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Negative

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that sought to understand the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children after they received disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that describes the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children in one study. Prior studies in SSA have mostly centered on the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive children after receiving disclosure of their own illnesses, or HIV-positive mothers’ descriptions of the effect of maternal disclosure on their HIV-negative children.

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Association Between Time to First RNA-Negative Test Result Among People With Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Homelessness or Testing at a Correctional or Substance Use Treatment Facility, New York City

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/00333549211049263 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003335492110492

Author(s):

Miranda S. Moore ◽

Angelica Bocour

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New York City ◽

Substance Use ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Substance Use Treatment ◽

Treatment Facility ◽

Negative Test ◽

Negative Test Result ◽

Test Result

Objective Curative treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are available, but access and barriers to treatment can delay initiation. We investigated the time to first negative RNA test result among people with HCV infection and examined differences by homeless status and whether people were tested at a correctional facility or substance use treatment facility. Methods We used surveillance data to identify New York City residents first reported with HCV infection during January 1, 2015–December 31, 2018, with ≥1 positive RNA test result during January 1, 2015–November 1, 2019. We used Kaplan–Meier survival analysis to determine the time from the first positive RNA test result to the first negative RNA test result, with right-censoring at date of death or November 1, 2019. We determined substance use treatment, incarceration, or homelessness by ordering facility name and address or from patient residential address. Results Of 13 952 people with an HCV RNA–positive test result first reported during 2015-2018, 6947 (49.8%) subsequently received an RNA-negative test result. Overall, 25% received an RNA-negative test result within 208 (95% CI, 200-216) days and 50% within 902 (95% CI, 841-966) days. Homelessness, incarceration, or substance use treatment was indicated for 4304 (30.9%) people, among whom 25% received an RNA-negative test result within 469 (95% CI, 427-520) days and <50% received an RNA-negative test result during the study period. Conclusions Efforts to connect people to treatment should occur soon after diagnosis, especially for people who could benefit from hepatitis C care coordination.

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