A Qualitative Study Exploring Harmful Cultural Practices and HIV Stigma in North Central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Bala Augustine Nalah ◽  
Azlinda Azman ◽  
Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
North Central ◽  
Harmful Cultural Practices

Harmful cultural practices have psychosocial implications on stigmatization and vulnerability to HIV infection among HIV positive living in North Central Nigeria. To understand this, we conducted qualitative interviews with purposively selected 20 diagnosed HIV positive to explore how culture influences stigmatization and HIV transmission. Data was collected using audio-recorder, transcribed, and analyzed through thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti8 software to code and analyze interview transcripts. The coded data were presented using thematic network analysis to visualize the theme, sub-themes, and quotations in a model. The findings reveal that lack of education was a significant determinant for the continual practice of harmful cultural rites, thereby increasing the risk of HIV infection and stigmatization. Hence, six cultural facilitators have been identified to include female genital mutilation, lack of education, tribal marks and scarification, postpartum sexual abstinence during breastfeeding, sexual intercourse during menstruation, and gender inequality, polygamy, and inheritance law. We conclude that educational teachings and advocacy campaigns be organized in rural schools and public places on the implications of harmful cultural practice to health and psychological well-being. We recommend that the social workers and behavioral scientists should collaborate with other agencies to employ a behavioral-based intervention in eliminating cultural practices and HIV stigma.

Harmful cultural practices and HIV stigma as psychosocial issues in North Central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine Bala Nalah ◽  
Azman Azlinda ◽  
Singh Jamir Singh Paramjit
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
North Central ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital ◽  
Harmful Cultural Practices

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of harmful cultural practices and its implications on stigmatization and the spread of HIV infection among people diagnosed with HIV in North Central Nigeria. It will help to identify the cultural values that pose a threat to the social, health and psychological well-being of the members of the society. This study will provide recommendations through educational teachings to community leaders and policymakers for health-care protection through Human Rights Act. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the qualitative phenomenological research design through a face-to-face in-depth interview to collect data using the audio recorder and field notes. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit, from three selected hospitals, 20 participants aged 18 years–56 years who gave their consent by filling the informed consent form between April 2019 and July 2019. The data collected were analyzed through thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 8 software. Also, thematic network analysis was used to visualize the themes, sub-themes and quotations. Findings The study findings indicate that sociocultural factors and HIV stigma in Nigeria are significant psychosocial problems that have adverse implications for health and psychological well-being. These problems contribute to the harmful traditional practices, thereby making people vulnerable to contracting HIV infection. The nontherapeutic practices of female genital mutilation, sexual intercourse during menstruation and tribal marks or scarification cause medical complications such as vesicovaginal fistula, rectovaginal fistula and HIV infection. Also, the practice of 18 months of sexual abstinence during breastfeeding predisposes couples to extramarital affairs and HIV infections. The findings also reveal that lack of education contributes to gender inequality. Originality/value The research uses a scientific method using ATLAS.ti 8 software for the transcription, organization and thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The study findings will benefit specifically the young girls and women who are usually the victims of the harmful cultural practices of female genital mutilation, gender inequality, sexual intercourse during menstruation and lack of female education in North Central Nigeria. Also, this study will serve as a relevant document and guide for policy implementation of Human and Child Rights Acts against all harmful cultural practices and gender inequality.

Emotional deficit: an adaptative and evolutive process in HIV infection

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bungener ◽  
JJ Lefrère ◽  
D Widlöcher ◽  
R Jouvent
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Emotional Disturbances ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Homosexual Men ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Hiv Negative ◽  
Asymptomatic Hiv

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to evaluate emotional disturbances and psychopathological symptoms in early stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Seventy-one homosexual subjects, positive to HIV and two groups of HIV-negative subjects (32 homosexuals and 26 heterosexuals) were evaluated in a semi-structured interview by two trained raters. The results showed the presence of emotional perturbations already in asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals even in the absence of caracterized depression and/or anxiety. This emotional deficit seemed to be more important in more advanced stages of the disease. Depressive and anxious symptoms appeared to be slightly but significantly present in both groups of homosexual men. This emotional deficit could be the reflect of an adaptative process to the threatening consequences of HIV-infection. Emotional perturbations, even mild should not be neglected, because their reduction contributes to the psychological well being of HIV-positive subjects.

scholarly journals Burning Witches: The Moral Dilemmas of Ashaninka Leaders

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Guillermo Enrique Delgado ◽  
Susana Frisancho
Keyword(s):  
Moral Reasoning ◽  
Moral Education ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Moral Dilemmas ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
The Social ◽  
Scant Attention

This paper focuses on the moral reasoning of Ashaninka leaders about the burning of witches, a cultural practice that has received scant attention from intercultural scholars. We first contextualize burning witches as a cultural practice of the Ashaninka people. Then, based on qualitative interviews, we present the experience of six Ashaninka leaders with witchcraft and witchcraft accusations, as well as their moral reasoning about the social mechanisms that the Ashaninka people have traditionally used to control evil sorcery. The participants are three men and three women from the Ucayali and Junín regions in Peru’s Amazon basin. Finally, we discuss intercultural moral education and the need to analyze the reasons behind cultural practices in order to understand the rationality and reasonableness of others.

scholarly journals HIV understanding, experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Amazonian Peru: A qualitative study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Tattsbridge ◽  
Connie Wiskin ◽  
Gilles De Wildt ◽  
Anna Clavé Llavall ◽  
César Ramal-Asayag
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

Abstract Background HIV-related incidence and mortality is increasing across Peru, with highest mortality rates recorded in Amazonian Loreto. This epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men, a population with 14% HIV treatment adherence despite free national provision. This study investigates barriers and facilitators to following healthcare advice through experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men and healthcare professionals in Loreto. Methods Twenty qualitative interviews with HIV-positive men who have sex with men and one focus group with HIV-specialist healthcare professionals were conducted in Loreto, January-February 2019. Thematic content analysis was used. Results A culture of isolation and discrimination was identified, propagated by poor public knowledge surrounding HIV transmission and treatment. Employment potential was hampered and 7/20 patients had suicidal thoughts post-diagnosis. Barriers to care included: shame, depression, travel cost/times, a preference for traditional plant-based medicine and side-effects of ART. Facilitators included: education, family and clinic support, disease acceptance and lifestyle changes. Conclusion More effective, focussed community education and workplace discrimination investigations are recommended.

scholarly journals Adherence to Combination Antiretroviral Therapy among Pregnant Women Enrolled in a HIV Prevention Program in Rural North-central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92
Author(s):  
Cedrina L. Calder ◽  
Heather O ◽  
Mohammad Tabatabai ◽  
Celia J. Maxwell ◽  
Salisha Marryshow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Combination Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
North Central ◽  
Hiv Positive Women ◽  
Mother To Child

Objective: Adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant women is essential to attaining the goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. The objective of this study was to determine which factors affect adherence to ART among HIV-positive women enrolled in a large prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) trial in rural north-central Nigeria. Methods: The parent study included 372 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in a cluster-randomized control trial conducted at 12 health facilities in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015. This secondary analysis included HIV-positive women (and their infants) from the original trial with documented adherence data (n=210, 56.5%). The primary outcome was maternal adherence to ART, determined by self-report and based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of a validated medication adherence tool. Participants with a VAS score of ? 95% were classified as adherent. We employed multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the predictors of maternal ART adherence in the study sample. Results: Approximately 61.0% of study participants (128/210) were adherent to ART. The majority of adherent participants (62.5%, 80/128) were enrolled in the trial intervention arm. The most common cited response for non-adherence was fear of status disclosure. Adherence to ART was associated with study arm (intervention arm vs. control arm, adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) [95% CI]: 16.95 [5.30-54.23]), maternal ethnicity (Gwari vs. Other, aOR = 0.13 [0.05-0.38]), and partner HIV status (HIV-positive vs. unknown, aOR = 3.14 [1.22-8.07]). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Adherence to ART among a cohort of pregnant women enrolled in a PMTCT trial in rural North-Central Nigeria was associated with trial arm, maternal self- reported ethnicity, and partner

scholarly journals Breast Milk of HIV-Positive Mothers Has Potent and Species-SpecificIn VivoHIV-Inhibitory Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (21) ◽  
pp. 10868-10878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Wahl ◽  
Caroline Baker ◽  
Rae Ann Spagnuolo ◽  
Lisa W. Stamper ◽  
Genevieve G. Fouda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Hiv Positive Women ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Hiv Positive Mothers

ABSTRACTDespite the nutritional and health benefits of breast milk, breast milk can serve as a vector for mother-to-child HIV transmission. Most HIV-infected infants acquire HIV through breastfeeding. Paradoxically, most infants breastfed by HIV-positive women do not become infected. This is potentially attributed to anti-HIV factors in breast milk. Breast milk of HIV-negative women can inhibit HIV infection. However, the HIV-inhibitory activity of breast milk from HIV-positive mothers has not been evaluated. In addition, while significant differences in breast milk composition between transmitting and nontransmitting HIV-positive mothers have been correlated with transmission risk, the HIV-inhibitory activity of their breast milk has not been compared. This knowledge may significantly impact the design of prevention approaches in resource-limited settings that do not deny infants of HIV-positive women the health benefits of breast milk. Here, we utilized bone marrow/liver/thymus humanized mice to evaluate thein vivoHIV-inhibitory activity of breast milk obtained from HIV-positive transmitting and nontransmitting mothers. We also assessed the species specificity and biochemical characteristics of milk'sin vivoHIV-inhibitory activity and its ability to inhibit other modes of HIV infection. Our results demonstrate that breast milk of HIV-positive mothers has potent HIV-inhibitory activity and indicate that breast milk can prevent multiple routes of infection. Most importantly, this activity is unique to human milk. Our results also suggest multiple factors in breast milk may contribute to its HIV-inhibitory activity. Collectively, our results support current recommendations that HIV-positive mothers in resource-limited settings exclusively breastfeed in combination with antiretroviral therapy.IMPORTANCEApproximately 240,000 children become infected with HIV annually, the majority via breastfeeding. Despite daily exposure to virus in breast milk, most infants breastfed by HIV-positive women do not acquire HIV. The low risk of breastfeeding-associated HIV transmission is likely due to antiviral factors in breast milk. It is well documented that breast milk of HIV-negative women can inhibit HIV infection. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that breast milk of HIV-positive mothers (nontransmitters and transmitters) inhibits HIV transmission. We also demonstrate that breast milk can prevent multiple routes of HIV acquisition and that this activity is unique to human milk. Collectively, our results support current guidelines which recommend that HIV-positive women in resource-limited settings exclusively breastfeed in combination with infant or maternal antiretroviral therapy.

Comparing those diagnosed early versus late in their HIV infection: implications for public health

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 693-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara Spatz Friedman ◽  
Patrick O’Byrne ◽  
Marie Roy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Hiv Surveillance ◽  
Hiv Epidemiology ◽  
Simple Protocol ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Public Health Setting

Routine HIV surveillance cannot distinguish between recent and older infections: HIV-positive individuals reported soon or long after infection are both considered new diagnoses from a surveillance perspective, notwithstanding the time since infection. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to understand the jurisdiction-specific trends in HIV epidemiology needed for prevention planning. Previous efforts have been made to discern such timing of infection, but these methodologies are not easily applied in a public health setting. We wished to develop a simple protocol, using routinely collected information, to classify newly diagnosed infections as recent or older, and to enumerate and characterize recent versus older infections. Applying our methodology to a review of HIV cases reported between January 2011 and December 2014, we classified 62% of cases; one-third of these were recent infections. Although men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons from HIV-endemic countries (HEC) disproportionally accounted for new HIV diagnoses, the dynamics of HIV transmission within these groups differed dramatically: MSM accounted for the majority of recent infections, whereas persons from HEC accounted for the majority of older infections. Among older infections, one-quarter were previously unaware of their infection. Categorizing cases in this manner yielded greater, jurisdiction-specific understanding of HIV, and guides subpopulation-specific interventions.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Well-Being and HIV-Related Immune Health Outcomes among HIV-Positive Older Adults: Support for a Biopsychosocial Model of HIV Stigma and Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 232595821988846 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Jonathon Rendina ◽  
Laurel Weaver ◽  
Brett M. Millar ◽  
Jonathan López-Matos ◽  
Jeffrey T. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Antiretroviral Adherence ◽  
Substance Use Problems ◽  
Immune Health

Evidence suggests that psychosocial stress negatively impacts immunological health in HIV-positive individuals. However, few studies have explored this association in substance-using older adults living with HIV (OALWH). We evaluated the effect of depression, loneliness, substance use problems, and HIV stigma on primary markers of immune function in a sample of 120 OALWH with substance-related issues. HIV stigma correlated with the greatest number of factors, including depression, loneliness, and substance use problems. Older age and antiretroviral adherence were associated with viral suppression, which was in turn associated with higher percentage of CD4 count. Multivariate path analyses demonstrated that lower HIV stigma and viral suppression were the only factors independently associated with higher percentage of CD4 count, with a significant indirect effect of adherence on CD4 through viral suppression. HIV stigma emerged as the most salient factor associated with both psychosocial well-being and immune health in the current study, suggesting that it is a critical factor to consider in future interventions for the rapidly growing population of OALWH.

scholarly journals Disclosure and HIV Transmission

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 395-410
Author(s):  
Samantha Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
General Duty ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
The Law ◽  
Consultation Paper ◽  
Law Commission ◽  
Level Of Risk

This paper examines the various approaches to disclosure of HIV infected status identified by the Law Commission in its Scoping Consultation Paper on Reform of Offences against the Person. It argues against the imposition of a general duty to disclose in all circumstances, and further suggests that a requirement for disclosure cannot be justified when there is a low risk of transmission. It suggests that the better approach to disclosure is to be found by combining the remaining two Law Commission proposals. This would mean that whether a person was justified in exposing another to the risk of HIV infection without disclosing their HIV positive status would be a matter for the jury and a key factor relevant to the jury’s consideration in this regard would be the level of risk of transmission involved.

scholarly journals HIV understanding, experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Amazonian Peru: A qualitative study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Tattsbridge ◽  
Connie Wiskin ◽  
Gilles De Wildt ◽  
Anna Clavé Llavall ◽  
César Ramal-Asayag
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

Abstract Background HIV-related incidence and mortality is increasing across Peru, with highest mortality rates recorded in Amazonian region of Loreto. This epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men, a population with 14% HIV treatment adherence despite free national provision. This study investigates barriers and facilitators to following healthcare advice through experiences and perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men and healthcare professionals in Loreto. Methods Twenty qualitative interviews with HIV-positive men who have sex with men and one focus group with HIV-specialist healthcare professionals were conducted in Loreto, January-February 2019. Interviews were transcribed per verbatim. Thematic content analysis and deviant case analysis were used. Results A culture of isolation and discrimination was identified, propagated by poor public knowledge surrounding HIV transmission and treatment. Employment potential was hampered and 7/20 patients had suicidal thoughts post-diagnosis. Barriers to care included: shame, depression, travel cost/times, a preference for traditional plant-based medicine and side-effects of antiretroviral therapy. Facilitators included: education, family and clinic support, disease acceptance and lifestyle changes. Conclusion More effective, focussed community education and workplace discrimination investigations are recommended to reduce stigma and increase adherence to treatment in this population.

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