How Do People Living With HIV Acquire HIV Related Information: A Qualitative Evaluation of Jakarta Setting

Abstract Background There is increasing prevalence of diseases associated with ageing such as hypertension, among people living with HIV (PLWHV). This study sought to assess: (1) knowledge related to HIV infection and hypertension, (2) adherence to prescribed medications and (3) clinical outcomes among HIV-positive persons with hypertension at a Nigerian hospital. Methods The Patient’s HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (PHKQ), Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) and Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS) were administered to 220 eligible patients through the HIV clinic. Demographic and clinical data were also obtained. Results Participants were predominantly females (57.3%), with a median (IQR) age of 46 (38–58) years; majority were married (67.8%) and employed (60.8%). Participants reported a higher hypertension-related knowledge compared with HIV-related knowledge (63.6% versus 33.3%, Z = −10.263, P < 0.001), but better adherence to antiretroviral medications compared to antihypertensives (100.0% versus 89.3%, Z = −9.118, P < 0.001). Of the 98 participants with documented viral load, 55 (56.1%) had undetectable (<40 copies/ml) values; however, only four (2.0%) of the entire sample had controlled (<140/90 mmHg) blood pressure. Conclusions Despite having a higher hypertension-related knowledge, adherence to antihypertensive medications and blood pressure control were poor. There is a need for increased attention to HIV education and comorbidities in PLWHV.

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“Is it making any difference?” A qualitative study examining the treatment‐taking experiences of asymptomatic people living with HIV in the context of Treat‐all in Eswatini

Journal of the International AIDS Society ◽

10.1002/jia2.25220 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. e25220 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shona Horter ◽

Alison Wringe ◽

Zanele Thabede ◽

Velibanti Dlamini ◽

Bernhard Kerschberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Treat All ◽

Living With Hiv

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First Nations health policy and funding: consequences for those living With HIV/AIDS

10.32920/14665707 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sean A. Hillier

Keyword(s):

Access To Care ◽

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Education ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Aids

In 2014-2015 Indigenous Peoples represented 17.5% of all HIV infections in Canada, yet accounted for only 4.3% of the population. In 2008, Indigenous Peoples accounted for an estimated 3.2% of people living with HIV in Ontario, while comprising 2.4% of the population. From 2009 to 2011, 2.7% of new HIV diagnoses in Ontario were Indigenous Peoples, of whom 7.2% were women. This research study sought to assess the efficacy of funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, services, programming, and care within Ontario First Nations communities. This research will improve understanding of services available to people and communities affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Indigenous based method of storytelling and freedom of information requests were used to capture data. Ontario First Nations people who were at least 16 years of age and living with HIV/AIDS (n=29) participated. Participants were asked five open-ended questions related to their use of and access to healthcare services. Stories were transcribed and analysed using NVivo. Transcriptions also form the bases of re-written first-person stories, detailing the life and experiences of the participants and their experiences of living with HIV/AIDS and accessing treatment, services, programming, and care. It was found that the federal government drastically underfunds HIV/AIDS treatment and services. This is given context by powerful stories of the impact limited funding has on Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants experienced issues with access to care and supports with many forced to leave their northern communities, either permanently or temporarily, due to limited access to care. HIV-related stigma played a role in access to prevention, testing, and care. Participants indicated difficulties with HIV education either in understanding their own HIV status or in the lack of education within the broader community. Historical traumas (residential schooling and the 60s scoop) and discrimination were central themes to many stories, seriously affecting the lives of participants and their overall health outcomes. The dissertation/project culminates in a list of recommendations aimed at informing a process to improve access and quality of health care for Indigenous Peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Greater access to community-based, holistic care in northern First Nations communities is urgently required.

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Stigma and Discrimination towards People Living with HIV in the Context of Families, Communities, and Healthcare Settings: A Qualitative Study in Indonesia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105424 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5424

Author(s):

Nelsensius Klau Fauk ◽

Karen Hawke ◽

Lillian Mwanri ◽

Paul Russell Ward

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Education ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Community Members ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Living With Hiv

HIV stigma and discrimination are a major challenge facing people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally. As part of a larger qualitative study with PLHIV in Yogyakarta and Belu, Indonesia, this paper describes the participants’ perceptions about drivers of HIV stigma and discrimination towards them within families, communities and healthcare settings, and highlights issues of HIV stigma as a social process. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling technique. Data analysis was guided by the framework analysis for qualitative data, and conceptualization and discussion of the study findings were guided by the HIV stigma framework. The findings showed that participants experienced stigma and discrimination across settings, including in families and communities by family and community members, and in healthcare settings by healthcare professionals. The lack of knowledge about HIV, fear of contracting HIV, social and moral perceptions about HIV and PLHIV were perceived facilitators or drivers of stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV. HIV stigma and discrimination were also identified as a process linked to the whole groups of people within families or communities, which occurred within social context in Yogyakarta and Belu. The findings indicate the need for HIV education for family and community members, and healthcare providers to enhance their knowledge of HIV and improve acceptance of PLHIV within families, communities and healthcare settings.

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Cultural and religious determinants of HIV transmission: A qualitative study with people living with HIV in Belu and Yogyakarta, Indonesia

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0257906 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. e0257906

Author(s):

Nelsensius Klau Fauk ◽

Paul Russell Ward ◽

Karen Hawke ◽

Lillian Mwanri

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Condom Use ◽

Religious Beliefs ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Education ◽

Education Programs ◽

Living With Hiv

As a part of a larger qualitative study to understand HIV-risk factors and impacts on people living with HIV (PLHIV) (52 women and 40 men) in Belu and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this paper reports the influences of cultural practices and religious beliefs on sexual relationships and behaviours of participants as contributors for HIV transmission. This study was conducted from June to December 2020. Data collection was conducted using one-one-one in-depth interviews. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling technique. Data analysis was guided by a qualitative data analysis framework. The findings showed that cultural practices in Belu related to the use of bride wealth, managing spousal disputes, marriage, and condom use, influenced spousal relationships and sexual behaviours or practices which contributed to HIV transmission. Javanese cultural practices and expectation of an ‘ideal wife’, Islamic religious beliefs about expected husband-wife relationships, forbidden premarital sex, and the participants’ individual interpretation of their religious beliefs about condom use spousal sexual relations, also influenced spousal sexual relations and behaviours, which supported HIV transmission among the participants. The findings indicate the need for HIV education programs that address cultural practices and religious beliefs for community members and population groups to enhance their understanding about HIV, condom use, and how cultural practices and religious beliefs play a role in HIV transmission. The findings also indicate the need for involvement of religious leaders in HIV education programs to bring insights to people and help them interpret their religious beliefs in health promoting ways. Future studies that explore different aspects of culture and religion which may contribute to HIV transmission are recommended.

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First Nations health policy and funding: consequences for those living With HIV/AIDS

10.32920/14665707.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sean A. Hillier

Keyword(s):

Access To Care ◽

First Nations ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Education ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Aids

In 2014-2015 Indigenous Peoples represented 17.5% of all HIV infections in Canada, yet accounted for only 4.3% of the population. In 2008, Indigenous Peoples accounted for an estimated 3.2% of people living with HIV in Ontario, while comprising 2.4% of the population. From 2009 to 2011, 2.7% of new HIV diagnoses in Ontario were Indigenous Peoples, of whom 7.2% were women. This research study sought to assess the efficacy of funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, services, programming, and care within Ontario First Nations communities. This research will improve understanding of services available to people and communities affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Indigenous based method of storytelling and freedom of information requests were used to capture data. Ontario First Nations people who were at least 16 years of age and living with HIV/AIDS (n=29) participated. Participants were asked five open-ended questions related to their use of and access to healthcare services. Stories were transcribed and analysed using NVivo. Transcriptions also form the bases of re-written first-person stories, detailing the life and experiences of the participants and their experiences of living with HIV/AIDS and accessing treatment, services, programming, and care. It was found that the federal government drastically underfunds HIV/AIDS treatment and services. This is given context by powerful stories of the impact limited funding has on Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants experienced issues with access to care and supports with many forced to leave their northern communities, either permanently or temporarily, due to limited access to care. HIV-related stigma played a role in access to prevention, testing, and care. Participants indicated difficulties with HIV education either in understanding their own HIV status or in the lack of education within the broader community. Historical traumas (residential schooling and the 60s scoop) and discrimination were central themes to many stories, seriously affecting the lives of participants and their overall health outcomes. The dissertation/project culminates in a list of recommendations aimed at informing a process to improve access and quality of health care for Indigenous Peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Greater access to community-based, holistic care in northern First Nations communities is urgently required.

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Incidence of Herpes Zoster in HIV-Infected Patients Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112300 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2300

Author(s):

Han-Chang Ku ◽

Yi-Tseng Tsai ◽

Sriyani-Padmalatha Konara-Mudiyanselage ◽

Yi-Lin Wu ◽

Tsung Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Random Effects ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Funnel Plots ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Treat All ◽

Living With Hiv

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients infected with HIV is higher than that of the general population. However, the incidence of HZ in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled incidence rate and risk factors for HZ in the post-ART era. We identified studies assessing the incidence of HZ in the post-ART era between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2021, from four databases. Pooled risk ratios were calculated from 11 articles using a random-effects model. The heterogeneity of the included trials was evaluated by visually inspecting funnel plots, performing random-effects meta-regression and using I2 statistics. Of the 2111 studies screened, we identified 11 studies that were eligible for final inclusion in the systematic review and 8 studies that were eligible for a meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of HZ in the post-ART era (after the introduction of ART in 1997) was 2.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–3.05) per 100 person years (PYs). The risks of incidence of HZ among people living with HIV included male sex (AOR: 4.35 (95% CI: 054–2.41)), men who have sex with men (AOR: 1.21 (95% CI: −0.76–1.13)), CD4 count < 200 cells/μL (AOR: 11.59 (95% CI: 0.53–4.38)) and not receiving ART (AOR: 2.89 (95% CI: −0.44–2.56)). The incidence of HZ is substantially lower among HIV infected patients receiving ART than those not receiving ART. Initiating ART immediately after diagnosis to treat all HIV-positive individuals is crucial to minimize the disease burden of HZ.

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