Respecting the circle of life: one year outcomes from a randomized controlled comparison of an HIV risk reduction intervention for American Indian adolescents

Potential for widespread transmission of HIV/AIDS among American Indian (AI) adolescents exists, yet no evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have been adapted and evaluated with this population. Intensive psychoeducation may improve knowledge and decision-making which could potentially translate to reductions in HIV risk behaviors. A peer group randomized controlled comparison of an adapted EBI vs. control was delivered over an eight-day summer basketball camp in one reservation-based tribal community to adolescents ages 13–19. Outcome data were gathered immediately post-camp and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Self-selected peer groups were randomized to intervention (n = 138) or control (n = 129) conditions for a total sample of 267 participants (56.2% female), mean age 15.1 years (SD = 1.7). Intervention participants had better condom use self-efficacy post-camp (Adjusted Mean Difference [AMD] = ?0.75, p < 0.005) and at 6 (AMD = ?0.44, p < 0.005) and 12 months (AMD = ?0.23, p < 0.05) follow-up. Intervention participants also had higher HIV prevention and transmission knowledge (post-camp: AMD = 0.07, p < 0.01; 6 months: AMD = 0.06, p < 0.01) were more likely to believe condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections (post-camp: RR = 1.41, p < 0.005; 6 months: RR = 1.34, p < 0.05), to talk with an adult about HIV/AIDS (post-camp: RR=1.78, p < 0.005; 6 months: RR = 1.14, p < 0.005), had higher partner negotiation efficacy related to substance use during sex (post-camp: AMD = 0.37, p < 0.01), and were more likely to intend to use a condom (post-camp: RR = 1.39, p < 0.01). The adapted intervention had short- and medium-term impacts on AI adolescent risk for HIV/AIDS, but attenuated at 12 months. Intervention delivery through a community-based camp is feasible and acceptable with strong retention. Additional study is needed to evaluate the adapted intervention's impact on sexual risk behaviors and if booster sessions and parent involvement translate to long-term impacts.     

Status of vaccine research and development of vaccines for HIV-1

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of one of the most lethal pandemics in human history, although in recent years access to highly effective anti-retroviral therapy has provided new hope worldwide. Transmission of HIV by sexual contact, childbirth and injection drug use has been reduced, but 2 million are newly infected each year, and much of the transmission is from people who do not know their status. In addition to known methods, a preventive vaccine is needed to end the pandemic. The extraordinary mutability and genetic diversity of HIV is an enormous challenge, but vaccines are being designed for broad coverage. Computer-aided design of mosaic immunogens, incorporating many epitopes from the entire genome or from conserved regions aim to induce CD8+ T cells to kill virus-infected cells or inhibit virus replication, while trimeric envelope proteins or synthetic mimics aim to induce broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies similar to those cloned from some infected patients. Induction of more potent and durable responses may require new adjuvants or replicating chimeric vectors chimeras that bear HIV genes. Passive or genetic delivery of broadly neutralizing antibodies may provide broad protection and/or lead to insights for vaccine designers. Proof-of-concept trials in non-human primates and in one human efficacy trial have provided scientific clues for a vaccine that could provide broad and durable protection against HIV. The use of vaccines to destroy HIV reservoirs as part of therapy or cure is now also being explored.     

‘When you visit a man you should prepare yourself’: male community care worker approaches to working with men living with HIV in Cape Town,South Africa

Caring is typically constructed as a feminised practice, resulting in women shouldering the burden of care-related work. Health-seeking behaviours are also constructed as feminine and men have poorer health outcomes globally. Employing men as carers may not only improve the health of the men they assist but also be transformative with regards to gendered constructions of caring. Using semi-structured interviews and observational home visits, this study explored the techniques that community care workers employ when working with male clients. The empirical analysis draws on the perspectives of eight care workers and three of their male clients from the Cape Town area. Interviews reveal how care workers and clients perform and negotiate masculinities as they navigate hegemonic masculine norms that require men to act tough, suppress emotions and deny weakness and sickness. Both parties bump up against ideals of what it means to be a man as they strive to provide care and receive support. Community care workers avoid rupturing client performances of hegemonic masculinities which inhibit confession and support. To do this, they use techniques of indirectly broaching sensitive subjects, acting in a friendly way and being clear about the intention of their work.     

社会控制在AIDS预防中的运用

试图从罗斯的社会控制来分析我国AIDS预防的社会控制。认为:社会控制体系已不能有效应对AIDS快速传播的挑战,而适应转型期的AIDS社会控制尚未确立。提出:只有重构适应“和谐社会”的AIDS社会控制体系,才能有效控制AIDS传播。     

EDTA Registry centre survey, 1986. Report from the European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry

This paper summarises the information given on the 1986 EDTA Registry centre questionnaire which was returned by 82% of the 2,065 known dialysis and transplant centres in 33 European countries. Information is given on the number of patients alive on haemodialysis according to the type of dialysis facilities available where the patient was receiving dialysis and the number of patients receiving special types of dialysis. The centre questionnaire also included questions on testing for HIV infection, serological evidence or symptoms of AIDS and the diagnosis of hepatitis B in patients and staff. The data given in response to these questions are presented together with data on the involvement of dietitians and social workers in the treatment of patients with end stage renal failure. Finally, information on transplant activity in Europe and the treatment policies of transplanting centres is provided.     

深圳市福田区暗娼艾滋病KAP调查分析

目的：探讨暗娼艾滋病KAP的现状，为艾滋病预防控制中的咨询、外展及其它健康教育活动提供依据。方法：在“城中村”中随机抽取55位暗娼，由经过专门培训的调查员调查并采血检验。结果：暗娼艾滋病平均知晓率为73．88％；与艾滋病相关的高危行为，呈现低龄化、职业化的倾向；为了预防艾滋病，绝大部分暗娼愿意坚持使用安全套，但实际情况并不如人意；暗娼获得艾滋病知识及相关服务并不方便；梅毒检出率为9．09％。结论：打工者的性权利长期被忽视，使卖淫拥有很大的市场，这是暗娼们乃以存在并长久不衰的重要原因之一；暗娼艾滋病知晓率有了较大提高，可能与深圳市开展艾滋病防制工作较早、力度较大有关；安全套使用率还有待提高：艾滋病外展服务亟待开展与加强。     

Quality of life assessment and HIV infection: A review

In the last few years, survival of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been improved because of a decreased incidence of some opportunistic complications attributable to prophylactic treatments and antiretroviral drugs. The impact of these agents should also be reflected in the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We have reviewed this topic with an emphasis on different types of measurements such as Q-TWIST, MOS and the Spitzer score which seem to be most appropriate for this patient population. We do not think that a special type of assessment should be designed for HIV-infected persons. It would be less time-consuming to improve already existing validated scores focusing on HIV infection. QoL in intravenous drug users with HIV should be evaluated more often.     

HIV/AIDS合并深部真菌感染的调查与耐药研究

目的：了解艾滋病病毒／艾滋病(HIV／AIDS)合并深部真菌感染的临床状况、病原菌分类及耐药现状。方法：总结近年来收治的131例HIV/AIDS患者的临床资料，分析深部真菌感染的发生情况及药敏试验结果。结果：HIV／AIDS患者合并深部真菌感染48例，感染率为36．6％，其中以念珠菌为主，占61％，感染部位以消化道为主，占62．7％。随着CD4^ T淋巴细胞的减少，合并深部真菌感染的感染率逐渐增加。念珠菌对益康唑(ECO)、酮康唑(KET)、咪康唑(MIC)、制霉菌素(NYS)、氟康唑(FLU)、伊曲康唑(ITR)、5-氟胞嘧啶(5-FC)、两性霉素B(AMB)耐药率分别为69．4％、66．7％、58．3％、44．4％、43．8％、36．4％、14．3％、13．9％。结论：HIV／AIDS患者合并深部真菌感染率高，且多有药耐药性，特别是对咪唑类抗真菌药物已呈明显耐药，应引起临床医生的高度警惕。     

Antisocial personality disorder, HIV risk behavior and retention in methadone maintenance therapy

In a sample of 55 consecutive methadone maintenance admissions to our clinic, 42% were diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) using the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule NIMH DIS. Individuals with ASPD exhibited greater risk for HIV infection as defined by more sexual contacts, needle use and equipment sharing. Data at 1 year follow-up were obtained on this group of patients. The objective was to compare the ASPD and non-ASPD groups with regards to demographics, drug abuse history, outcome and retention in treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups on any demographic or treatment outcome variables. Survival analysis indicated that there were no group differences in treatment retention. In conclusion, although there were no differences in treatment outcome between ASPD and non-ASPD groups it is possible that ASPD patients who drop out of treatment will be at higher risk for contracting and spreading HIV within the IV drug using population. These data also suggest that in this population the diagnosis of ASPD using primarily behavioral traits as measured in the NIMH-DIS-III, has little utility in predicting treatment outcome.     

The progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome

The progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN) syndrome is a recently described clinical variant of necrotizing herpetic retinopathy in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is caused by varicellazoster virus infection of the retina. Its course and clinical features distinguish it from the acute retinal necrosis syndrome and CMV retinopathy. Early disease is characterized by multifocal deep retinal opacification. Lesions rapidly coalesce and progress to total retinal necrosis over a short period of time. Despite aggressive therapy with intravenous antivirial drugs, prognosis is poor; disease progression and/or recurrence is common, and the majority of patients develop no light perception vision. Total retinal detachments are common. Prophylaxis against retinal detachment using laser retinopexy has not been useful in most cases. PORN syndrome is an uncommon, but devastating complication of AIDS.