Co-Pathogenesis of Human Herpesvirus with HIV In Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 03-36
Author(s):  
Paul Waliaula ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Virus Reactivation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Hiv Aids

Human Herpesviruses (HHV’s) are ubiquitous in human populations globally, and they cause significant morbidity and mortality. HHV’s establish a latent infection that is accompanied by periodic virus reactivation as a result of HIV infections. Further, HIV/AIDS infection in sub-Saharan Africa is perceived to be a significant health concern as it accounts for up to 70% of infectious diseases in the region. Until now, the role played by HHVs is increasingly being recognized. The co-infection of HIV with HHV’s changes severity or the natural course of HIV infection which defines the AIDS conditions in HIV infected individuals. Presently, treatment of HIV/AIDS by antiviral drugs targets the clinical manifestations of both HIV and HHVs at their productive stage and boost the immunity of HIV infected individuals, but they are ineffective at eliminating these viruses (HHVs and HIV) from the infected persons. This review focuses on outlining the epidemiology, distribution and role played by HHV’s in the pathogenesis of HIV infection in African countries. Additionally, this information is significant in crystallizing and providing an update on recent advancements on HHV’s and HIV infections in Africa and possible future directions in this field of research.

scholarly journals A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence, trends and spatiotemporal distribution of HIV/AIDS infection in Northern African countries.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A Daw ◽  
Nadia E.M. Sifennasr ◽  
Abdallah El-Bouzedi ◽  
Mohamed O Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Human Immune Deficiency Virus ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Subtype B ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection is a major global public health concern. Northern African countries carry a disproportionate burden of HIV, accounting for one of the highest prevalences in Africa. Here in, we sought to analyze the epidemiological characterization and spatial trends of HIV infection in the Northern African region.Methods: A systematic review was carried out on all the published data regarding HIV/AIDS in Northern African countries over a ten year period ( 2008-2017) following the PRISMA guidelines. We performed a comprehensive literature search using Medline PubMed, Embase, regional and international databases, and country-level reports were searched with no language restriction. The quality, quantity, and geographic coverage of the data were assessed at both the country and region levels. We used random-effects methods, spatial variables and stratified results by demographic factors. Only original data for the prevalence of HIV infection were included and independently evaluated by professional epidemiologists.Results: A total of 721 records were identified by our data search , and only 41 that met our criteria were included in the meta-analysis during the study period. There was a considerable variability in the prevalence estimates of HIV within the countries of the region. The overall prevalence of HIV in northern African countries ranged from 0.9% (95% CI (0.8–1.27) to 3.8% (95% CI (1.17-6 .53)). The highest prevalence was associated with vulnerable groups, particularly drug abusers and sexual promiscuity. Dense HIV clustering was also reported during the study period, varying from one country to another. At least 13 HIV subtypes and recombinant forms were prevalent in the region. Subtype B was the most common variant , followed by CRF02_AG.Conclusion: This comprehensive review indicated that HIV infection in Northern African countries is an emerging threat. Effective strategies are needed both at national and regional levels to improve monitoring and controlling the transmission of HIV with a particular emphasis on geographic variability and HIV clustering.

scholarly journals Individual, community and societal correlates of insecticide treated net use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-level analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Malaria in pregnancy is a crucial public health concern due to the enormous risk it poses to maternal and newborn health. The World Health Organisation therefore recommends insecticide-treated net (ITN) for pregnant women. The world over, sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest prevalence of malaria and its associated complications. This study investigated the individual, community and society level factors associated with ITN use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The study was conducted with Demographic and Health Survey data of 21 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 17,731 pregnant women who possessed ITN participated in the study. Descriptive computation of ITN use by survey country and socio-demographic characteristics was conducted. Further, five multi-level binary logistic regression models were fitted with MLwiN 3.05 package in STATA. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation procedure was used in estimating the parameters whilst the Bayesian Deviance Information Criterion was used for the model fitness test. Results On average, 74.2% pregnant women in SSA used ITN. The highest prevalence of ITN use occurred in Mali (83.7%) whilst the least usage occurred in Namibia (7%). Women aged 30–34 were more likely to use ITN compared with those aged 45–49 [aOR = 1.14; Crl = 1.07–1.50]. Poorest women were less probable to use ITN relative to richest women [aOR = 0.79; Crl = 0.70–0.89]. Compared to women who did not want their pregnancies at all, women who wanted their pregnancies [aOR = 1.06; Crl = 1.04–1.19] were more probable to use ITN. Women in male-headed households had higher likelihood of ITN use compared to those from female-headed households [aOR = 1.28; Crl = 1.19–1.39]. On the whole, 38.1% variation in ITN use was attributable to societal level factors whilst 20.9% variation was attributable to community level factors. Conclusion The study has revealed that in addition to individual level factors, community and society level factors affect ITN use in SSA. In as much as the study points towards the need to incorporate community and societal variations in ITN interventions, active involvement of men can yield better outcome for ITN utilisation interventions in SSA.

scholarly journals Mapping evidence on adolescents’ HIV-positive status disclosure in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Adzordor ◽  
Clement Avoka ◽  
Vitalis Bawontuo ◽  
Silas Agbesi ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Status Disclosure ◽  
Hiv Aids

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) homes most of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Adolescents/young people are a vulnerable population and at high risk of HIV infection. Identifying and bridging the research gaps on the disclosure of HIV-positive status among adolescents, particularly to their sexual partners, is essential to inform appropriate policy planning and implementation towards preventing HIV transmission. This study will aim to explore literature and describe the evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA. Methods The framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and improved by Levac and colleagues will be used to conduct a scoping review. A keyword search for relevant literature presenting evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA will be conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Date limitations will be removed, but Boolean terms “AND” and “OR” as well as Medical Subject Headings terms will be included where possible and syntax modified to suit the database during the search. Additional relevant articles will be sought from the reference lists of all included studies using a snowballing method. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles at the abstract and full-text screening phases in order to reduce bias and improve the reliability of this study’s findings. A tabular form will be developed using Microsoft Word and piloted for data extraction. Thematic content analysis will be conducted, and a narrative summary of all relevant outcomes reported. Quality appraisal of the included studies for this proposed study will be performed utilizing the recent mixed methods appraisal tool. Discussion The evidence produced by this review may help inform policy and strategies to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among adolescents and improve social support for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in SSA. It may also reveal literature gaps to guide future researches to further inform HIV policies for adolescents in SSA. Platforms such as peer review journals, policy briefs, and conferences will be used to disseminate this study’s findings.

scholarly journals Willingness to Pay for Condoms among Men in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Evans ◽  
Kuyosh Kadirov ◽  
Ibou Thior ◽  
Ramakrishnan Ganesan ◽  
Alec Ulasevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Donor Funding ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Tool Building ◽  
Hiv Aids

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be among the greatest public health threats worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Condom use remains an essential intervention to eradicate AIDS, and condom use is now higher than ever. However, free and subsidized condom funding is declining. Research on how to create healthy markets based on willingness to pay for condoms is critically important. This research has three primary aims: (1) willingness of free condom users in five African countries to pay for socially marketed condoms; (2) the relationship between specific population variables and condom brand marketing efforts and willingness to pay; and (3) potential opportunities to improve condom uptake. Nationally representative samples of at least 1200 respondents were collected in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We collected data on a range of demographic factors, including condom use, sexual behavior, awareness of condom brands, and willingness to pay. We estimated multivariate linear regression models and found that free condom users are overwhelmingly willing to pay for condoms overall (over 90% in Nigeria) with variability by country. Free users were consistently less willing to pay for condoms if they had a positive identification with their free brand in Kenya and Zimbabwe, suggesting that condom branding is a critical strategy. Ability to pay was negatively correlated with willingness, but users who could not obtain free condoms were willing to pay for them in Kenya and Zimbabwe. In a landscape of declining donor funding, this research suggests opportunities to use scarce funds for important efforts such as campaigns to increase demand, branding of condoms, and coordination with commercial condom manufacturers to build a healthy total market approach for the product. Free condoms remain an important HIV/AIDS prevention tool. Building a robust market for paid condoms in SSA is a public health priority.

scholarly journals Effect of HIV infection on pregnancy-related mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: secondary analyses of pooled community-based data from the network for Analysing Longitudinal Population-based HIV/AIDS data on Africa (ALPHA)

The Lancet ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 381 (9879) ◽  
pp. 1763-1771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basia Zaba ◽  
Clara Calvert ◽  
Milly Marston ◽  
Raphael Isingo ◽  
Jessica Nakiyingi-Miiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Secondary Analyses ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Related Mortality ◽  
Hiv Aids

scholarly journals Social, Behavioral, and Cultural factors of HIV in Malawi: Semi-Automated Systematic Review

10.2196/18747 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. e18747
Author(s):  
Amaury Thiabaud ◽  
Isotta Triulzi ◽  
Erol Orel ◽  
Kali Tal ◽  
Olivia Keiser
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Topic Modelling ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background Demographic and sociobehavioral factors are strong drivers of HIV infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors are often studied in qualitative research but ignored in quantitative analyses. However, they provide in-depth insight into the local behavior and may help to improve HIV prevention. Objective To obtain a comprehensive overview of the sociobehavioral factors influencing HIV prevalence and incidence in Malawi, we systematically reviewed the literature using a newly programmed tool for automatizing part of the systematic review process. Methods Due to the choice of broad search terms (“HIV AND Malawi”), our preliminary search revealed many thousands of articles. We, therefore, developed a Python tool to automatically extract, process, and categorize open-access articles published from January 1, 1987 to October 1, 2019 in the PubMed, PubMed Central, JSTOR, Paperity, and arXiV databases. We then used a topic modelling algorithm to classify and identify publications of interest. Results Our tool extracted 22,709 unique articles; 16,942 could be further processed. After topic modelling, 519 of these were clustered into relevant topics, of which 20 were kept after manual screening. We retrieved 7 more publications after examining the references so that 27 publications were finally included in the review. Reducing the 16,942 articles to 519 potentially relevant articles using the software took 5 days. Several factors contributing to the risk of HIV infection were identified, including religion, gender and relationship dynamics, beliefs, and sociobehavioral attitudes. Conclusions Our software does not replace traditional systematic reviews, but it returns useful results to broad queries of open-access literature in under a week, without a priori knowledge. This produces a “seed dataset” of relevance that could be further developed. It identified known factors and factors that may be specific to Malawi. In the future, we aim to expand the tool by adding more social science databases and applying it to other sub-Saharan African countries.

scholarly journals Multicountry Distribution and Characterization of Extended-spectrum β-Lactamase–associated Gram-negative Bacteria From Bloodstream Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. S449-S458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Toy ◽  
Gi Deok Pak ◽  
Trung Pham Duc ◽  
James I Campbell ◽  
Muna Ahmed El Tayeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Esbl Production ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern, yet, there are noticeable gaps in AMR surveillance data in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to measure the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections from 12 sentinel sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Data were generated during the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP), in which standardized blood cultures were performed on febrile patients attending 12 health facilities in 9 sub-Saharan African countries between 2010 and 2014. Pathogenic bloodstream isolates were identified at the sites and then subsequently confirmed at a central reference laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, detection of ESBL production, and conventional multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for genes encoding for β-lactamase were performed on all pathogens. Results Five hundred and five pathogenic Gram-negative bloodstream isolates were isolated during the study period and available for further characterization. This included 423 Enterobacteriaceae. Phenotypically, 61 (12.1%) isolates exhibited ESBL activity, and genotypically, 47 (9.3%) yielded a PCR amplicon for at least one of the screened ESBL genes. Among specific Gram-negative isolates, 40 (45.5%) of 88 Klebsiella spp., 7 (5.7%) of 122 Escherichia coli, 6 (16.2%) of 37 Acinetobacter spp., and 2 (1.3%) of 159 of nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) showed phenotypic ESBL activity. Conclusions Our findings confirm the presence of ESBL production among pathogens causing bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa. With few alternatives for managing ESBL-producing pathogens in the African setting, measures to control the development and proliferation of AMR organisms are urgently needed.

scholarly journals Spectrum of heart diseases in children presenting to a paediatric cardiac echocardiography clinic in the Lake Zone of Tanzania: a 7 years overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antke Zuechner ◽  
Tumaini Mhada ◽  
Naizihijwa G. Majani ◽  
Godwin G. Sharau ◽  
William Mahalu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Interventional Therapy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Interventional Treatment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Lake Zone ◽  
Infancy And Childhood ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are among the most common congenital malformations. It is estimated that the incidence of CHD is constant worldwide, but data are rare for most African countries including Tanzania. Even less data are available on the prevalence of acquired heart diseases (AHD) in African children. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of AHD and is remaining a public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting especially the younger population. Both, CHD and AHD contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Methods This hospital-based, retrospective review of the registry at the paediatric cardiac clinic of Bugando Medical Centre in the Lake Zone of Tanzania analysed the spectrum of heart diseases of paediatric patients during their first presentation by using simple descriptive statistics. Results Between September 2009 and August 2016, a total of 3982 patients received cardiac evaluation including echocardiography studies. 1830 (46.0%) pathologic findings were described, out of these 1371 (74.9%) patients had CHD, whereas 459 (25.1%) presented with AHD. 53.9% of the patients with CHD were female and the most common associated syndrome was Down syndrome in 12.8% of patients. In 807 patients (58.9%) diagnosis of CHD was established within the first year of life. The majority of patients (60.1%) were in need of surgical or interventional therapy at time of diagnosis and 6.3% of patients were judged inoperable at the time of first presentation. Nearly 50% of cases with AHD were RHDs followed by dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension without underlying CHD. Conclusions The spectrum of CHD and AHD from one centre in Tanzania is comparable to findings reported in other countries from the African continent. Echocardiography is a valuable diagnostic tool and the widespread use of it should be enhanced to diagnose heart diseases in a large number and reasonable time. Most patients present late and majority is in need of surgical or interventional treatment, which is still not readily available. Untreated heart diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. Adequate cardiac services should be established and strengthened.

scholarly journals Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngozi C. Mbonu ◽  
Bart van den Borne ◽  
Nanne K. De Vries
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Aids Stigma ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sexuality And Religion ◽  
Starting Date ◽  
Hiv Aids

The aim of this literature review is to elucidate what is known about HIV/AIDS and stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa. Literature about HIV/AIDS and stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa was systematically searched in Pubmed, Medscape, and Psycinfo up to March 31, 2009. No starting date limit was specified. The material was analyzed using Gilmore and Somerville's (1994) four processes of stigmatizing responses: the definition of the problem HIV/AIDS, identification of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), linking HIV/AIDS to immorality and other negative characteristics, and finally behavioural consequences of stigma (distancing, isolation, discrimination in care). It was found that the cultural construction of HIV/AIDS, based on beliefs about contamination, sexuality, and religion, plays a crucial role and contributes to the strength of distancing reactions and discrimination in society. Stigma prevents the delivery of effective social and medical care (including taking antiretroviral therapy) and also enhances the number of HIV infections. More qualitative studies on HIV/AIDS stigma including stigma in health care institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa are recommended.

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