scholarly journals Pattern of Ocular Manifestations among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy

Author(s):  
Catherine U. Ukponmwan ◽  
Evaristus Oseiwe Oboh ◽  
Odarosa M. Uhumwangho ◽  
Benson U. Okwara

Aim: To determine the pattern of ocular manifestations in people living with HIV/AIDS on highly active retroviral therapy (HAART). Study Design: A descriptive hospital based cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) clinics of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Between 1st July 2018 and 31st October 2019. Methodology: Four hundred and fifty one (451) patients living with HIV/AIDS on HAART were the subjects of this study. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used. They all had a comprehensive eye examination done. General examination including their height, weight and blood pressure were done. Results: There were 451 patients (104 males and 347 females with a male to female ratio of 0.3:1), the age range was 14 to 75 years with a mean age of 46.55 ± 10.77 years. Most of them, 305 (67.6%) were married. A Majority 210 (46.6%) of them had a CD4 count of 500 cells /microliter and more. Ocular morbidity was present in 385 (85.1%) respondents. The most common ocular morbidity was an uncorrected refractive error in 262 patients with presbyopia being the most common type. Other morbidities seen were cataract followed by allergic conjunctivitis and glaucoma. Ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS occurred in 32 patients (7.1%). The most common was dry eyes in 15 (46.9%) of these patients followed by posterior uveitis secondary to presumed Toxoplasmosis in 9 (28.1%) patients. Other types of HIV associated ocular morbidities seen were conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, retinal detachment, optic neuritis and Herpes Zoster ophthalmicus. Conclusion: There is a reduction in the prevalence and a change in the type of ocular manifestations in people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART. They are more prone to developing other ocular morbidities due to their increased lifespan. Eye health care programs should be established for people living with HIV/AIDS.

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Owen

In 1996, highly active antiretrovirals (ARVs) were released to the public, radically altering the health prospects of people living with HIV and AIDS. In the two decades since, ARVs have become the subject of intense political debate and social justice mobilization. In particular, ARV intellectual property patent protections have become a high-profile trade and diplomacy issue, while major philanthropic organizations have entered the fray to support large-scale treatment programs. This article maps 21 years of HIV/AIDS medicines coverage in mainstream newspapers to illustrate these developments and contestations. It demonstrates two main processes: first, where civil society mobilization successfully promoted ARVs onto the media and policy agenda, and second, where issue fragmentation and a changing political and media context saw ARVs dramatically exit the news coverage, despite the continuing catastrophic scale of the global HIV/AIDS medicines crisis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
David Ufuoma Adje ◽  
Felicia Esemekiphorar Williams ◽  
Chukwuka Nicholas Bezugbe ◽  
Dauda Audi Dangiwa

Background:       Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is critical in achieving treatment goals, avoiding antimicrobial resistance, preventing treatment failure and improving the patient’s quality of life. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and adherence to antiretroviral (ARVs) medicines amongst People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) accessing care in two Nigerian Military HIV/AIDS Treatment sites. Methods: Four hundred patients on HAART who visited the study sites during the study period were recruited for the study using systematic random sampling method. A semi-structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic details. Patients’ knowledge of HIV was assessed using an 8-item questionnaire while adherence was measured using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). Results: The predominant age group was 31-40 years (46.4%). There were more females (69%) than males (31%). Only 45.5% answered knowledge questions correctly. The adherence level in this study was 64.0%. The major reasons cited for non-adherence included being away from home (23.6%), forgetfulness (17.1%), busy schedule (14%), need to conceal medication (12.7%) and feeling better (11.6%). Conclusion: Patients’ knowledge of ART and adherence to ARVs medicines were sub-optimal. Appropriate strategies to improve patients’ knowledge of ART and adherence to ARVs are recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Najam Khalique ◽  
Yasir Alvi ◽  
Anees Ahmad ◽  
MohammadSalman Shah ◽  
Nafis Faizi

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-240
Author(s):  
Marilou Gagnon ◽  
Dave Holmes

The purpose of this article is to move beyond the biomedical standpoint in the field of HIV/AIDS in order to contribute to the recognition of lipodystrophy as a phenomenon that reaches far beyond its current definition as an unfortunate side effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This article hopes to demonstrate how theory, while remote to the clinical setting, can allow nurses to understand the experience of lipodystrophy as a social phenomenon and address it likewise in their practice. The specific aim of this article is to apply the concept of stigma to the experience of lipodystrophy in people living with HIV/AIDS. The objective of this theoretical piece is to fill the gaps in the way nurses address lipodystrophy in the clinical setting and to demonstrate the richness of Goffman’s concept of stigma (1963) in understanding the experience of lipodystrophy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document