A study of awareness on HIV/AIDS among adolescents: A Longitudinal Study on UDAYA data

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) poses a severe challenge to healthcare and is a significant public health issue worldwide. This study intends to examine the change in the awareness level of HIV among adolescents. Furthermore, this study examined the factors associated with the change in awareness level on HIV-related information among adolescents over the period. Data used for this study were drawn from Understanding the lives of adolescents and young adults, a longitudinal survey on adolescents aged 10–19 in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The present study utilized a sample of 4421 and 7587 unmarried adolescent boys and girls, respectively aged 10–19 years in wave-1 and wave-2. Descriptive analysis and t-test and proportion test were done to observe changes in certain selected variables from wave-1 (2015–2016) to wave-2 (2018–2019). Moreover, random effect regression analysis was used to estimate the association of change in HIV awareness among unmarried adolescents with household and individual factors. The percentage of adolescent boys who had awareness regarding HIV increased from 38.6% in wave-1 to 59.9% in wave-2. Among adolescent girls, the percentage increased from 30.2 to 39.1% between wave-1 & wave-2. With the increase in age and years of schooling, the HIV awareness increased among adolescent boys ([Coef: 0.05; p < 0.01] and [Coef: 0.04; p < 0.01]) and girls ([Coef: 0.03; p < 0.01] and [Coef: 0.04; p < 0.01]), respectively. The adolescent boys [Coef: 0.06; p < 0.05] and girls [Coef: 0.03; p < 0.05] who had any mass media exposure were more likely to have an awareness of HIV. Adolescent boys' paid work status was inversely associated with HIV awareness [Coef: − 0.01; p < 0.10]. Use of internet among adolescent boys [Coef: 0.18; p < 0.01] and girls [Coef: 0.14; p < 0.01] was positively associated with HIV awareness with reference to their counterparts. There is a need to intensify efforts in ensuring that information regarding HIV should reach vulnerable sub-groups, as outlined in this study. It is important to mobilize the available resources to target the less educated and poor adolescents, focusing on rural adolescents.

Knowledge, attitude and behavior study on HIV awareness among continuous rotatory residential interns and postgraduates

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that leads to Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is transmitted mainly by sexual contact and exposure to infected blood. Healthcare workers (HCWs) such as Continuous rotatory residential interns (CRRIs) and postgraduates are at risk of acquiring HIV infection, primarily due to exposure to infected blood. The chances of infection depend on occupation, procedures performed, and use of preventive measures. The aim of the study was to access and compare knowledge, attitude and behavior about HIV awareness among CRRIs and Postgraduates.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross sectional survey of 80 CRRIs and 80 postgraduates from Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital was taken. A self-administered questionnaire was made and information regarding age, gender, knowledge about HIV, attitude and behavior towards HIV positive individual was gathered and compared between CRRIs and postgraduates. The data was compared and analyzed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The results of the study revealed that postgraduates had better knowledge about routes of transmission of HIV compared to CRRIs. However, knowledge about preventive guidelines, vaccines and prophylaxis have to be improved by both postgraduates and CRRIs. Attitude towards HIV affected individual was positive. Behavior and practices followed to prevent HIV transmission have to be improved.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> HIV is an occupational hazard among HCWs. Appropriate knowledge about HIV is important. Attitude towards HIV infected individual plays an important role as it determines the care of the patient. Practicing standard guidelines while phlebotomy prevents the infection.</p>

MESSY FREE-FOR-ALL OR AN “AHA!” MOMENT?: REFLECTIONS ON AN HIV AWARENESS PROGRAM WITH AFRICAN NEWCOMER YOUTH

This paper traces a collaboration between a White settler anthropologist and Black community liaison and researcher in the design and implementation of HIV awareness strategies. Based on ethnographic research with young people from African newcomer communities who settled in Winnipeg, Canada, their sense that HIV did not exist in Canada was the impetus for our movement of knowledge-to-action. Rather than deliver the facts to them as a passive audience, we created space and time for a series of youth-led conversations that were effective, emotional, corporeal, and socially dynamic. From our respective positionalities, we reflect on the impact of the awareness activity. What at times felt like “a free-for-all” fostered an awareness by the young people, as active agents, of the complexities of HIV as “more than a virus,” especially its racialized underpinnings.

Socio-Demographic, Behavioural and Biomedical Factors Contributing to HIV Spread among Adults in Ghana - A Case-Control Study

HIV/AIDS prevalence remains a major global public health and development challenge despite key interventions to curb its spread. Ghana, in particular, for a decade now, has experienced a persistent increase in the number of HIV new infections among adults, with the new infection rates varying across the administrative regions. The study examines socio-demographic, health, social, behavioural, and biomedical factors contributing to the spread of HIV among adults in Ghana and how these factors vary across administrative regions. A case-control study was carried on involving 362 respondents made of 181 HIV cases and controls, each from the Ahafo and Northern regions of Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, their health status, social behavioural, and biomedical factors that have potential influence on the spread of HIV was collected. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the degree to which each of the risk factors collected were associated with the spread of HIV in Ghana and across regions. Out of 21 risk factors identified, 13 accounted for the spread of HIV in the Ahafo region compared to only 6 in the Northern region. The study concludes that factors for HIV spread in Ghana are many but vary across administrative regions in the country. It, therefore, suggests the need to create job opportunities, have HIV awareness campaign programmes, regulate the sale of alcoholic and other related drugs, discourage sex trade, promote condom use throughout the country for those who cannot abstain, and tailored to regions. Keywords: Adults, Biomedical Factors, HIV Spread, Socio-Behavioural.

Plasmablastic lymphoma of nose and para-nasal sinuses in an immunocompetent patient

<p class="abstract">Plasmablastic lymphoma (PbL) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm with heterogeneous clinical, histological and genetic features. It has been reported in both immuno-compromised and immuno-competent patients and commonly presents in the extra-nodal regions, but it is more heterogeneous in immuno-competent patients. Its clinical course is aggressive with early dissemination and poor response to therapy. A 61 year old male presented with left sided nasal bleeding and nasal obstruction for last 6 months, snoring and disturbed sleep for last 2 months. On examination, there was fullness over left side of nose and obliteration of left naso-facial groove. A mass lesion was seen in the left nasal cavity on endoscopy. There was bulge in the soft palate and the mass extended into the oropharynx. CECT showed a locally aggressive sino-nasal mass. Histopathology and immuno-histo-chemistry (IHC) of the biopsy were suggestive of plasmablastic lymphoma. A debulking surgery was done to relieve his obstructive symptoms. The patient received 3 cycles of EPOCH chemotherapy and radiotherapy to local site. At 9 months of follow up he presented with recurrence of the mass. Plasmablastic lymphoma presents in patients other than those with HIV. Awareness about its unique characteristics is crucial for establishing a correct diagnosis. Currently available treatments are ineffective in achieving long term remission and prognosis remains unfavourable with high incidence of recurrence</p>

Developing HIV assisted partner notification services tailored to Mexican key populations: a qualitative approach

Background Assisted partner notification services (APNS) may increase HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, but they are not formally implemented in Mexico, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW). This study aimed to explore the awareness of and need for HIV partner notification, as well as to outline potential strategies for APNS based on identified barriers and facilitators. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore partner notification with MSM, TW, and counselors. Afterwards, brainstorm sessions were carried out to produce strategies for implementing APNS. Results Most participants reported experiences with informal partner notification and serostatus disclosure, but not with APNS. Only one counselor indicated assisting notification systematically. The main barriers for notifying or disclosing mentioned by both MSM and TW included fear of (violent) reactions, discrimination and lacking contact information of casual partners. Participants thought it was easier to inform a formal partner, conditional of being well informed about HIV. Given current stigma and lack of awareness, it was suggested that APNS should be preceded by HIV awareness efforts, and be provided by counselors or peers to mitigate potential rejection or violent reactions. Conclusions While APNS are not formally implemented in Mexico, all participants supported the service, indicating that APNS could potentially enhance early HIV diagnosis in Mexico. Strategies to implement such services need to be flexible addressing the individual needs of participants, guaranteeing the safety of more vulnerable participants.

The Mentor Mothers Program in the Department of Defense in Nigeria: An Evaluation of Healthcare Workers, Mentor Mothers, and Patients’ Experiences

Nigeria contributes the highest to the global burden of HIV/AIDS and also accounts for the largest proportion of new vertically transmitted HIV infections among children. The Mentor Mothers program in the Nigerian Department of Defense was introduced in accordance with the World Health Organization and its implementing partner guidelines to curb the high incidence of vertically acquired HIV infections. Understanding the experiences of participants could serve as a gateway to evaluating the effectiveness of the program to better provide quality services within targeted health facilities. This qualitative study employed key informant interviews with six healthcare workers as well as two focus group discussions with six mentor mothers and six prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) patients in four selected hospitals in the Nigerian Department of Defense to explore their experiences of the Mentor Mothers program. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the collated data. As a result, four main themes emerged, with the program perceived by most participants as providing psychosocial support to the patients, a valuable educational resource for raising HIV awareness, a valuable resource for promoting exclusive breastfeeding and mitigating vertical transmission of the virus, and functioning as a link between patients and the healthcare system. The participants reported that the program had effectively decreased HIV infections in children, reduced child and maternal mortality, and supported the livelihood and development of women, families, and communities in and around the Nigerian Department of Defense health facilities.

Developing HIV Assisted Partner Notification Services Tailored to Mexican Key Populations: A Qualitative Approach

Background. Assisted partner notification services (APNS) may increase HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, but they are not formally implemented in Mexico, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW).Methods. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore partner notification with MSM, TW and health care providers to identify the essential elements to include in the design and implementation of APNS directed to MSM and TW in Mexico City. Afterwards, brainstorm sessions were carried out to produce strategies for implementing APNS.Results. Most participants reported experiences with informal partner notification, but not with APNS. Only one health care provider indicated assisting notification systematically. The main barriers for notifying mentioned by both MSM and TW included fear of (violent) reactions, discrimination and lacking contact information of casual partners. Participants thought it was easier notifying a formal partner, conditional of being well informed about HIV. Given current stigma and lack of awareness, it was suggested that APNS should be preceded by HIV awareness efforts, and be provided by counsellors or peers to mitigate potential rejection or violent reactions. Conclusions. While APNS are not formally implemented in Mexico, all participants supported the service, indicating that APNS can enhance early HIV diagnosis in Mexico. Strategies to implement such services need to be flexible addressing the individual needs of participants, guaranteeing the safety of more vulnerable participants.

Back to Basics: Correlates of HIV Risk in a Community Sample of Haiti

Haiti has a 2.2 % HIV prevalence (highest in the Caribbean); this has diminished from over 12% in the past three decades (depending on sex and gender, province, and neighborhood). Preliminary studies indicate that in the Cite Soleil neighborhood of Haiti (HIV prevalence >3%) as in socioeconomically equivalent adjacent neighborhoods, over 50% of girls and women experience non-partner sexual violence (NPSV), typically perpetrated by groups of men. Rates of NPSV against men in those neighborhoods were not available. Coercive sex heightens HIV risk. Accurate HIV knowledge empowers individuals (including survivors of NPSV) to assess personal HIV risk and increases likelihood of getting tested and of determining personal HIV status; thus, accurate HIV knowledge is foundational to behavioral risk reduction for victims in future consensual relationships and to engagement in either the HIV prevention or care continuum.Between March and July 2017, we surveyed individuals 18 years or older (210 women, 257 men), assessing experience of NPSV, HIV knowledge, history of HIV testing, knowledge of HIV status, assessment of self-risk, and sexual risk behaviors. Nearly 30% of men and 24% of women endorsed having experienced NPSV. Knowledge of HIV transmission was low: 90% endorsed HIV myths, e.g. transmission occurs via public toilets, via sharing a glass with or by being exposed to a cough or sneeze from a person living with HIV. High endorsement of these myths contrasted with low endorsement of protective behavior: Only 14.3 % used a condom during consensual sex in the past year. Only 47.9% of the respondents had ever attended an HIV awareness program; 16% of knew their HIV status, although 79% assessed their HIV risk as moderate to high. Results regressing knowledge of HIV testing on participant characteristics indicated that women (OR=2.8), individuals with a partner (OR=2.2), individuals who attended an HIV awareness class (OR=2.1), individuals who knew someone with HIV (OR=3.9), and individuals who had an HIV test (OR=33.5) were more likely to know what an HIV test is. Participants who endorsed experiencing NPSV (OR=0.33) and those who had been diagnosed with an STI (OR=0.44) were less likely to know about HIV testing.Experience of NPSV combined with low HIV knowledge, awareness and testing heighten the HIV prevention needs of Cite Soleil residents and underscore the need to return to basics on the road to HIV eradication in that context.