Activity of a psychologist in a Medical Specialties Unit: Ambulatory Center for the Prevention and Attention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

Introduction: The attention provided at Medical Specialties Unit (UNEME), Ambulatory Center for the Prevention and Attention of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (CAPASITS), the psychologist develops activities that strengthen the patients’ treatment, as a part of a multidisciplinary work. In this way, it becomes essential knowing the importance of the psychologist activities and how they get involved in the Public Health problems. Objective: To analyze the professional competencies that psychologists must possess and how they apply them in their activity at the UNEME CAPASITS Material and Methods: A descriptive bibliographic review was carried out. For the inclusion criteria, it was considered that they will report on: the development of professional skills of health psychologists, the activity of psychologists in public health institutions, development of professional skills of the psychologist and the objectives of health psychology. To search for information, the following keywords were used: health psychology, activity and professional skills. The bibliographic search was performed in the databases: EBSCO, ScienceDirect, Dialnet, PubMed, REdalyc, ResearchGate and pages from official sites: WHO and the National Center for the Prevention and Control of HIV and AIDS. Results: From the analyzed information it was found that the professional competencies that the psychologist must possess in the field of health are focused on the management of preventive strategies, use of health technologies, creation of plans and programs to promote a healthy lifestyle, evaluation and treatment as well as collaborative work. Conclusions: The UNEMES CAPSITS require that psychologists possess competencies such as: communication, use of information and communication technologies (ICT), research, evaluation for treatment, monitoring and creation of clinical records, in addition to: research for health and the dissemination of the results, especially in the treatments.

Discrimination Against People With HIV and AIDS in the Workplace

The main thrust of the chapter was to explore the discrimination experienced by people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) in the workplace in Lagos State. A purposive sample of 80 PLHIV was selected from two local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos state: Epe, a rural setting, and Lagos Mainland, an urban one. Secondary data were obtained from internet sources while primary data were collected through structured interviews September 2005–April 2006. Data were analyzed using SPSS versions 11 and 13. Data between and within the rural and urban areas were also analyzed comparatively. The results indicate that PLHIV experienced instant dismissal from offices, mandatory HIV tests, alienation, denial of promotion, and exclusion from insurance schemes. This indicates that PLHIV's rights were violated. The study recommends intensive HIV education and enforcement of national HIV policy and international legal instruments in the workplace to protect PLHIV's rights.

Black Church Rumor

In 1992, Jet published “James Cleveland Infected L.A. Youth with HIV, $9 Mil. Lawsuit Claims,” which detailed how the Chicago-born gospel musician had not only allegedly sexually abused his foster son, Christopher B. Harris, but had also “[given] him the AIDS virus.” This article takes this incident of rumor or accusation as a critical opportunity to think about the archival reality of Black queer sexuality, on one hand, and sexual violence in Black gospel music history on the other. Using the legal documents from Christopher B. Harris v. Irwin Goldring as Special Administrator of the Estate of James Cleveland and commentary from Cleveland's contemporaries, it exhumes Cleveland from dusty church closets for consideration in the history of HIV and AIDS in African American Protestant church and gospel communities and in Black queer studies, ethnomusicology, and gender and sexuality studies. Further, it theorizes “Black church rumor” as a lens for Black queer religious studies and argues that Cleveland's perceived queer sexuality distracted from Harris's allegations of sexual abuse. Thus, it situates Cleveland—the person, the preacher, and the gospel legend—in the literature on “down low” sexuality and explicates the implications of Cleveland's legacy and role in Black gospel music production.

Healthcare Providers in Africa Face HIV and AIDS Challenges in Providing Services to a Key Population: Infant and Young Child Feeding

There is agreement on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and the introduction of appropriate complementary foods at 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding, for all infants. However, infant, and young child feeding (IYCF) guidelines for HIV-positive mothers have changed on a regular basis since 2000. Considering new HIV treatment guidelines, implementation challenges, and knowledge gaps, this article investigates issues and Evidence related to IYCF for the prevention and care of paediatric HIV in resource-limited settings. The effectiveness of antiretroviral medications (ARVs) in decreasing the incidence of HIV transmission from mother to child prompted WHO to urge countries to support either avoidance or treatment. Significant progress has been made in terms of preserving the lives of moms but also decreasing the spread of HIV among children, but long-term political, financial, and scientific commitment is essential for ensuring effective postnatal HIV prevention programs and providing for the nutritional requirements of HIV-exposed and HIV-infected infants.

The Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia among Clients of the AIDS Support Organisation-Entebbe, Uganda

Anaemia, a common hematological disorder in HIV infection, compromises the quality of life and treatment outcomes. At The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Entebbe, the records for the 2016-2018 period show a 10% prevalence of anaemia which is lower than that in literature where it is said to be up to 95%. This study determined the prevalence, type, severity, and determinants of anaemia among people living with HIV and AIDS who receive care from TASO Entebbe in Uganda. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 624 TASO clients. A checklist identified the clients’ Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) combination and viral load. The selected clients’ Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated to assess their nutritional status. A Fully Automated Humacount 60TS Three-Part Hematology Analyzer was used to measure hemoglobin and to do a full blood count. A blood film from each sample was manually examined for the type of anaemia. Data analysis was done with Stata MP 15. The prevalence of anaemia was 44.4%, and the anaemia was mostly mild (54.15%) to moderate (40.80%). Anaemia of inflammation was the commonest type (>58%). Gender, viral suppression, nutritional status, nutritional education, marital and economic status were significantly associated with the anaemia. Duration on ART had a protective effect, but this was not statistically significant. The prevalence of anaemia (44.4%) among the TASO-Entebbe Uganda clients was high, but the anaemia was mostly mild to moderate (>94%) and of inflammation type (>58%). Management of anaemia in HIV requires intentional screening since it compromises treatment outcomes.

Characteristics of the COVID-19 patients treated at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe respiratory disease that results from infection with a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). One of the most critical issues related to the COVID-19 is the high rate of spread, millions of people have been infected around the world, and hundreds of thousands of people have died till now. However, reports from Africa paint a different picture of the SARS-CoV-2 and its effects on the population. Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of the COVID-19 patients treated at the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and determine factors associated with COVID-19 manifestations, socio-demographic characteristics, and treatment outcomes from March 2020 to October 2021. Methods A retrospective data abstraction of all COVID-19 hospital admissions registered in the Gulu Health Management Information System (HMIS) database and other tools were conducted. The period of study was March 2020 to October 2021. Data that met the inclusion criteria were consecutively abstracted from the Gulu Hospital HMIS database. A local IRB approved the study. SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results Data suggests there were three waves of COVID-19 in Uganda. Those with comorbidities, e.g., Diabetes mellitus 38(5.7%), hypertension 83(12.5%), cardiovascular diseases 58(8.7%), HIV and AIDS 61(9.2%), and other comorbidities such as liver cirrhosis and hepatitis B 40(6.0%) were more susceptible and presented with severe forms of the disease. Antibiotics 662(99.7%), steroids 73(11.0%), vitamin C 564(84.9%), Ivermectin 7(1.1%), and Vitamin D 24(3.6%) were the most used medicines for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Most COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated 661(99.5%). However, the recovery rate was 632(95.2%). The commonest complications were pneumonia 60(9.0%), chronic fatigue 49(7.4%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 37(5.6%), depression 20(3.0%), systemic infections 19(2.9%), nightmares 15(2.3%) and septic shock 8(1.2%). The Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) on factors associated with recovery were treated with steroids AOR=138.835 at 95% CI:12.258-1572.50; p<0.000 and Vitamin D AOR=0.016 at 95% CI:1.902-520.98; p=0.016. Conclusion This study showed successful management of COVID-19 patients in low-resource settings with a recovery rate of 95.2%. The admission pattern suggests Uganda had three waves of COVID-19, contrary to the official government position of two. Treatment with steroids and Vitamin D is associated with the recovery of COVID-19 patients. There is a need to conduct more extensive studies on the role played by the two drugs in the successful recovery of COVID-19 patients.

Conjugal Visits in Prisons Discourse: The Prisoners’ Voice in Malawi

The issue of possible provision of prisoners’ conjugal rights in jurisdictions not yet allowing them, such as Malawi, is still an intricate debate amongst the stakeholders. However, the most important stakeholder in the issue, the prisoner, is usually left out of the discourse. This study analyzed the perceptions of randomly sampled 305 prisoners on conjugal visits at one of the central prisons in Malawi. Both qualitative and quantitative data from prisoners’ perceptions were collected and used concurrently. The key finding was that prisoners (male and female) in Malawi generally had positive perceptions regarding conjugal visits since more than 80% of the respondents (n=305) reported that conjugal visits were good and recommended their possible introduction in Malawi. These incarcerated persons opined that conjugal visits reduced problems of homosexuality, sexual assaults, physical violence in prisons, supporting prisoners’ rehabilitation and reintegration efforts as well as helping prisoners in preserving and establishing family ties. Prisoners also viewed conjugal visits as another way of dealing with the HIV and AIDS problem in Malawi prisons. Though the potential challenge was reported to be its costs, it was opined that the programme was still worthy of introducing. It was therefore concluded that the prisoners’ voice is also valuable in not only conjugal visits discourse but also in all issues related to law and policy that concern them.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding HIV and AIDS among High School Learners in South Africa

Background: Globally, millions are infected with HIV/AIDS, and more than half of them are adolescents aged between 12-25 years. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and risky practices are major barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention. This study seeks to establish the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among high school learners in South Africa. Methods: Data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 422 learners from two high schools using pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: Participants had good HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and practice levels, however, misconceptions about transmission, negative attitudes, and risky behaviour or practices were also found. Knowledge was associated with age, social status, and sources of information. Attitudes were associated with gender, age, race, social status and sources of information. Practices were associated with age, race, social class, and sources of information (p = < 0.05). Conclusion: Sex education (life orientation) in school and HIV/AIDS awareness programs in communities need to be intensified in order to rectify misconceptions, negative and discriminatory attitudes, unsafe and risky practices, as schools and healthcare workers were found to be the main source of HIV/AIDS information.

Experiences and ways PLWHA deal with their lives

The issue of HIV and AIDS and people living with HIV and AIDS is very sensitive which needs great attention. The population of infected individuals seems not to seek help and health services due to their illness. The barriers which prevent this population experience the meaning of social construction of their illness. The main objective of this study is to understand the day-to-day lives and the ways PLWHA deals with their lives. Qualitative method and participatory action research were used to gather information. The study found out that PLWHA have much to fight for in the complex and frightening areas of HIV research and treatment. Though there have been lacking scientific skills, all PLWHA can bring unique experiences and perspectives to an open discussion. The study concluded that facing the challenges of working with HIV and AIDS–individuals; consider the participatory research approach because it can reach out to individuals, groups and organizations.It was recommended that the ultimate goals of AIDS treatment and research activism are to accelerate scientific research knowledge that contributes towards cure, and to win an early widespread access to treatment for everyone infected with HIV. Developing a well-designed research can help PLWHA learn how to ask themselves different questions and ask if the medical and research establishments will address their concerns. Keywords: Health Services;, seeking behavior; persons living with HIV.

The Third Epidemic: Finding our Voice in the Culture of Silence that Surrounds HIV and AIDS

<p>The third epidemic: that of the social reprecussions and the fear of AIDS, continues to generate the myths, prejudice and stigma, so inaccurately associated with HIV and AIDS, often silencing those trying to live so positively with the virus and syndrome. This paper looks to the development of HIV/ AIDS education praxis, from London, New York and Aotearoa/New Zealand perspectives; emphasising the need for all of us to question the culture of silence that surrounds the epidemic[s], while acknowledging the fact that we are all affected by the present pandemic, whether we are living with the virus, educating as to the realities of the virus, or simply choosing to believe that it does not exist. It is in developing our own critical-reflection praxis, (whether we be parents, students or teachers), that we will begin to develop more appropriate and culturally sensitive HIV health education praxis within our schools; along with the voice and infused ability to lobby for policy development that will determine its long-term effectiveness.</p>