scholarly journals Differences in demographic characteristics, risky behavior and HIV status of men and women who were voluntarily and confidentially counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
Vesna Stijović ◽  
Pavle Piperac ◽  
Biljana Begović ◽  
Sandra Grujičić

Introduction/Aim: Voluntary and confidential counseling and testing (VCCT) means getting information about HIV, ways of transmission, recognizing, reducing or avoiding risks for HIV infection, about safe sexual relations, the place where people can be tested, and what they should do depending on the test results in order to protect themselves and other people. The aim of this study was to examine differences in demographic characteristics, risky behavior and HIV status between men and women who were voluntarily and confidentially counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade. Methods: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study and it included 3,480 persons (43.2% of women and 56.8% of men), who were counseled and tested at the Counseling Center for HIV/AIDS of the Institute of Public Health in Belgrade from 2017 to 2019. ch2 or Fisher's test was used for the statistical analysis of data. Results: The majority of women (42.1%) and men (42.5%) who were counseled and tested were in the age group 21-30 years. Men used DPST services significantly more often than women. HIV positive status was significantly more frequent in men (2.5%) than in women (0.3%). Women came significantly more often to voluntary counseling and testing due to the possible exposure to HIV infection by heterosexual contact (84.9%), accident (11.1%) and raping (1.0%), while men were counseled and tested due to heterosexual contact (59.3%), homosexual and bisexual contact (33.6%) and intravenous drug abuse (1.1%). Men used condoms always or often (40.1%) and had two or more partners (53.2%) more frequently during the last 12 months in comparison to women (24.2% and 20.6%). Conclusion: Voluntary and confidential counseling and testing is necessary in the fight against HIV infection, especially from the perspective of early discovering of people with this infection and education of HIV negative persons about risky sexual behavior and possible prevention measures.

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (50) ◽  
Author(s):  
M J van de Laar ◽  
G Likatavicius ◽  
A R Stengaard ◽  
M C Donoghoe

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains of major public health importance in Europe, with evidence of increasing transmission of HIV in several countries. This article provides an overview of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) surveillance data, and indicates that since 2000 the rate of newly reported cases of HIV per million population has almost doubled in Europe. In 2007, a total of 48,892 cases of HIV infection were reported from 49 of 53 countries in the Region, with the highest rates in Estonia, Ukraine, Portugal and the Republic of Moldova. In the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, the predominant mode of transmission for HIV infection is sex between men followed by heterosexual contact. Injecting drug use is still the main mode of transmission in the eastern part of the WHO European region, while in the central part heterosexual contact is the predominant mode of transmission. In 2007, the reported number of AIDS cases diagnosed decreased in the Region overall, except in the eastern part. HIV/AIDS surveillance data are vital to monitor the trends of the HIV epidemic and evaluate public health responses.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilong Dong ◽  
Liying Ma ◽  
Chang Cai ◽  
George Fu Gao ◽  
Fan Lyu

Abstract Background:Understanding the demographic characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) infected through commercial heterosexual contact (CHC) or nonmarital noncommercial heterosexual contact (NMNCHC) is important for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.Methods:Cases reported through the Chinese HIV/AIDS Case Reporting System (CRS) from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed. A descriptive and preliminary inferential analysis were performed for those demographic characteristics deemed of interest.Results:Overall, 523,121 identified PLWHA between 2015 and 2018 in the CRS were analyzed. The constituent ratio of heterosexual transmission increased from 66.25% in 2015 to 71.48% in 2018. The proportion of CHC heterosexual transmission decreased from 40.18% in 2015 to 37.99% in 2018, while that of NMNCHC increased from 46.33% in 2015 to 49.02% in 2018. PLWHA infected through NMNCHC were significantly younger than those who were infected through CHC (Student’s t test, P<0.0001), with an average age gap ranging from 5.63 (2015) to 7.46 (2018) years, and the average age of both groups increased annually. The frequency of newly identified PLWHA who were infected through CHC had a remarkable increase among the ages of 65 and above. Gender distribution was significantly different between CHC and NMNCHC (χ2 = 8909.00(2015), 9941.90(2016), 11004.00 (2017), 12836.00(2018), all P < 0.0001), and the ratio of men to women in the NMCHC group was 1.50:1 (2015), 1.51:1 (2016), 1.54:1 (2017), and 1.52:1 (2018), while in the commercial heterosexual contact (CHC) group, these ratios were 11.45:1 (2015), 12.08:1 (2016), 12.53:1 (2017), and 13.28:1 (2018). Marital status was significantly different between CHC and NMNCHC (χ2 = 94.67 (2015), 109.88(2016), 58.18(2017), 152.38(2018), all P < 0.0001). As the educational level improved, the proportion of NMNCHC also increased (Cochran - Armitage test, P<0.0001).Conclusions:We found that heterosexual transmission was the primary mode of HIV transmission in China from 2015 to 2018. PLWHA infected through CHC and NMNCHC had different characteristics in age, gender, marital status, and educational level. The frequency of PLWHA infected through CHC increased substantially in the age group of 65 and above. This study provides useful baseline data for future studies on the heterosexual transmission of HIV in China.


Author(s):  
Christopher Dye

This chapter examines the dual epidemic of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. There have been some major successes in the control of both HIV/AIDS and TB. The discovery and widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is among the greatest advances in public health during the past thirty years. The rise of TB cases in Africa and elsewhere and on the discovery and implementation of control measures raise a series of questions about the population biology of TB linked to HIV/AIDS. The chapter first provides an overview of HIV infection as a risk factor for TB before discussing the global epidemiology of TB linked to HIV/AIDS. It then describes the anatomy of a TB-HIV epidemic, along with TB control in the presence of HIV. In particular, it considers ART and isoniazid preventive therapy. The chapter concludes with the argument that the DOTS strategy is necessary but not sufficient for TB–HIV control.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantrel Canidate ◽  
Mark Hart

BACKGROUND The number of adults using the Internet to obtain health information is on the rise. An estimated 66% of the adults reportedly use the Internet to obtain health information related to a specific disease (ie, human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV/AIDS). Previous research has demonstrated that health information seekers use the Internet to seek answers to stigma-laden questions from health avatars. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify patterns in the choice of avatar among health information seekers (patients or public health workers) using the Internet to obtain HIV/AIDS information and to describe the demographic characteristics (age, gender, and ethnicity) of health information seekers to determine whether they preferred an avatar that was similar to their own gender and ethnicity. METHODS The Rural South Public Health Training Center (RSPHTC) partnered with the New York State Department of Health to create the HIV/AIDS Avatar project. The avatar project was created to serve as an educational resource for public health workers by providing relevant and accurate information about HIV/AIDS. First, the user was instructed to choose one of the 8 avatars that voiced responses to 100 common questions and answers about HIV/AIDS. Next, the website gave users the option to complete a brief 3-question demographic survey. Finally, the demographic characteristics of each user were compared with the chosen avatar to determine whether they preferred an avatar that was similar to their own gender and ethnicity. RESULTS The avatar project website was loaded with 800 videos that included the answers to the top 100 questions about HIV/AIDS voiced by 8 avatars. A total of 1119 Web-based health information seekers completed the demographic survey upon accessing the website. Of these, 55.14% (617/1119) users were female. A total of 49.96% (559/1119) users were aged between 30 and 49 years. The ethnicity of the user and the avatar was found to have the strongest connection. All the users choose the female avatar matching their own ethnicity, followed by the male avatar. Additionally, the white female avatar was chosen the most by all users regardless of the age group or gender. CONCLUSIONS Web-based health information seekers using the Internet to access medical research information may feel more comfortable receiving the answers to HIV stigma-laden questions from avatars, rather than receiving information directly from a health care provider. Additionally, providers seeking to utilize avatars to deliver interventions in health care settings may benefit from offering individuals choices in how they receive health information. Having the ability to choose whom you seek information from may lead to an increase in knowledge and awareness and could motivate HIV-positive individuals to seek care.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nunuk Nugrohowati

Background: Depok Health Office, West Java, in 2017 reported that therewere 278 HIV infection cases in 2016. In Indonesia there are 785,821 HIV infection cases, including 90,915 new HIV infection cases. This study aimed to determine thefactors associated with risky behavior for HIV/AIDS transmission among youth organization in Depok city,West Java.Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Depok,West Java. Total 50 respondents were selected for this study at random. The dependent variable was HIV/AIDS risky behavior. The independent variables were knowledge, attitude, information source, parenting style, traumatic experience, and peer-group influence. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple logistic regression.Results: HIV/AIDS risky behavior increased by lack of knowledge (OR= 12.14; 95% CI=1.16 to 19.42; p=0.004), poor parenting style (OR= 8.61; 95% CI=1.64 to 91.04; p=0.008), traumatic experience (OR=17.09; 95% CI=1.41 to 36.05; p=0.013), and poor peer-influence (OR=24.68; 95% CI=1.71 to 24.68;p=0.004).Conclusion: HIV/AIDS risky behavior increases by lack of knowledge, poor parenting style, traumatic experience, and poor peer-groupinfluence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilong Dong ◽  
Liying Ma ◽  
Chang Cai ◽  
George Fu Gao ◽  
Fan Lyu

Abstract Background Understanding the demographic characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) infected through commercial heterosexual contact (CHC) or nonmarital noncommercial heterosexual contact (NMNCHC) is important for HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Methods Cases reported through the Chinese HIV/AIDS Case Reporting System (CRS) from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed. A descriptive and preliminary inferential analysis were performed for those demographic characteristics deemed of interest. Results Overall, 523,121 identified PLWHA between 2015 and 2018 in the CRS were analyzed. The constituent ratio of heterosexual transmission increased from 66.25% in 2015 to 71.48% in 2018. The proportion of CHC heterosexual transmission decreased from 40.18% in 2015 to 37.99% in 2018, while that of NMNCHC increased from 46.33% in 2015 to 49.02% in 2018. PLWHA infected through NMNCHC were significantly younger than those who were infected through CHC (Student’s t test, P < 0.0001), with an average age gap ranging from 5.63 (2015) to 7.46 (2018) years, and the average age of both groups increased annually. The frequency of newly identified PLWHA who were infected through CHC had a remarkable increase among the ages of 65 and above. Gender distribution was significantly different between CHC and NMNCHC (χ2 = 8909.00(2015), 9941.90(2016), 11,004.00 (2017), 12,836.00(2018), all P < 0.0001), and the ratio of men to women in the NMCHC group was 1.50:1 (2015), 1.51:1 (2016), 1.54:1 (2017), and 1.52:1 (2018), while in the commercial heterosexual contact (CHC) group, these ratios were 11.45:1 (2015), 12.08:1 (2016), 12.53:1 (2017), and 13.28:1 (2018). Marital status was significantly different between CHC and NMNCHC (χ2 = 94.67 (2015), 109.88(2016), 58.18(2017), 152.38(2018), all P < 0.0001). As the educational level improved, the proportion of NMNCHC also increased (Cochran - Armitage test, P < 0.0001). Conclusions We found that heterosexual transmission was the primary mode of HIV transmission in China from 2015 to 2018. PLWHA infected through CHC and NMNCHC had different characteristics in age, gender, marital status, and educational level. The frequency of PLWHA infected through CHC increased substantially in the age group of 65 and above. This study provides useful baseline data for future studies on the heterosexual transmission of HIV in China.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
E Thiruvalluvan ◽  
R Shenbagavalli ◽  
M Mohana

Background : An estimated 2.47 million (2.0-3.1 million) people were living with HIV/AIDS in India by the end of 2006. Among those HIV infected individuals, TB was the commonest opportunistic infection and leading cause of mortality. HIV infection makes a person susceptible to both pulmonary and extra pulmonary forms of TB. Various studies have documented the occurrence of TB from 46 to 65 percent. However, provision of HIV screening services for Tuberculosis out patient attendees is limited at present. Aims : To study feasibility of counseling for HIV screening and document the prevalence of HIV among TB out patient attendees. Methods : This prospective explorative study included persons who sought TB screening at TB unit, Madurai from Jan 2003- Feb 2004. An interview schedule was developed to obtain information on socio-demographic profi le, risk behavior profi le and test results. Information collected includes socio-demographic profile, risk behavior profi le and reaction to test results. Univariata and bivariate analyses were performed using Epi-info 6.04 (CDC, Atlanta, GA, July 1996). Chi-square test, student "t" test and one way ANOVA tests were performed to establish statistical signifi cance between dependent and independent variables Results : This study has found 57.66% chest symptomatic attending TB out patient ward were HIV positive. An analysis of risk profile versus positive results showed that 47(n=75) and 48(n=90) who admitted and denied high-risk behavior respectively, found to be positive to HIV screening test. Conclusion : The researchers suggest that HIV counseling and testing services can be offered to all chest symptomatic attending TB out patient ward. This structural change will make HIV screening more effective and benefi cial to patient community by ensuring early detection HIV infection. DOI: 10.3126/saarctb.v6i1.3060 SAARC J. Tuber. Lung Dis. HIV/AIDS 2009 VI (1) 16-24


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayant D Deshpande ◽  
Purushottam A Giri ◽  
Deepak B Phalke

HIV infection represents a major public health problem for both developing and developed countries as it has grown to pandemic proportions worldwide. Spectrum of clinical presentation of HIV can vary with geographical distribu-tion, socioeconomic and cultural environment. The aim of this study was to examine the socio-demographic charac-teristics, clinical presentations of HIV/AIDS patients, opportunistic infections and the possible risk factors for ac-quiring HIV infection. A cross sectional study was conducted from March to September, 2011 at an antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre of a rural tertiary care hospital, situated in Maharashtra state of India. History and physical examination was done and recorded on a pre-designed schedule which included the socio-demographic and clinical profile of the patients. More than half of the subjects were in economically productive age group and male patients 166 (53.4%) outnumbered the female patients 145 (46.6%). There was a predominance of patients from rural loca-tions nearby the present ART centre. The patients were having low level of literacy and were from the lower middle and lower socio-economic classes. Among the spouses of male patients, 65 (44.8%) were HIV positive and among the spouses of female patients, 52 (35.7%) were HIV positive. Commonest mode of acquiring the infection was through heterosexual contact. Tuberculosis (62%) was the most common opportunistic infection. As per the WHO staging, 132 (42.5%) patients were in stage 3. Combination of behavioral risk factors and unawareness is responsi-ble for rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. People with high-risk behavior and spouses of affected patients need to be edu-cated for primary and secondary prevention. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i2.15938 South East Asia J Public Health | Jul-Dec 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 2 | 16-21


2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Godlonton ◽  
Rebecca L Thornton

An individual who takes an HIV test can be informed about their own status and risk. Similarly, when friends, family or neighbors learn of a person's HIV status, they may update their beliefs about HIV infection among people they know. Using an experiment conducted in rural Malawi which randomly assigned incentives to learn HIV results, we find that as people in the community learn their HIV results, individuals revise their beliefs downward about deaths attributable to HIV/AIDS. We find corresponding behavioral responses with a significant decrease in condom use and no significant increase in multiple partnerships among those who are HIV-negative.


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