Knowledge,attitudes and perceptions of HIV/AIDS among traditional birth attendants and herbal practitioners in Lagos State,Nigeria

Recognising the widespread role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and herbal practitioners (HPs) in health care at community level in Nigeria, we set out to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to HIV infection and prevention. Questionnaires were administered to a convenience sample of 189 participants in 20 local government areas of Lagos State. We found that knowledge of modes of transmission of HIV was less than adequate and included lack of knowledge of the existence of HIV/AIDS amongst some practitioners, claims for the ability to treat HIV/AIDS, failure to name major avenues of transmission and confusion of HIV/AIDS with other conditions. The use of measures to prevent infection of clients and themselves showed that normal standards of infection control are not adhered to. Considering that as many as 60% of children born in Nigeria are delivered by traditional birth attendants and that use of the services of herbal practitioners extends across the entire society in both rural and urban settings, this is seen as reason for concern. It is suggested that better incorporation of TBAs/HPs into the well-developed primary health care system offers not only a way of overcoming the risks of infection posed by traditional health practices but also offers an opportunity to extend the reach of voluntary counselling and testing and prevention of mother-to-child infection programmes. The research has shown the need for appropriate training of TBAs, to enable them to recognise the risk of HIV infection in their own practices and to encourage them to adopt universal precautions against spreading infection. We also recommend that they be more extensively integrated as primary health care workers in VCT and PMTCT programmes in Nigeria. We further suggest that referrals made between the traditional practitioners and professional health care providers can be an effective and successful element of HIV/AIDS prevention and control programmes.     

HIV/AIDS/STI/TB knowledge, beliefs and practices of traditional healers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The aim of this study was investigate the HIV/AIDS/STI and TB knowledge, beliefs and practices of traditional healers in South Africa. In a cross-sectional study 233 traditional healers were interviewed in three selected communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Results indicate that the most common conditions seen were STIs, a variety of chronic conditions, HIV/AIDS (20%) and tuberculosis (29%). Although most healers had a correct knowledge of the major HIV transmission routes, prevention methods and ARV treatment, their knowledge was poorer on other HIV transmission routes, and 21% believed that there is a cure for AIDS. A minority reported unsafe practices in terms of reuse of razor blades on more than one patients and the reuse of enema equipment without sterilization, and two-thirds used gloves when carrying out scarifications. Randomized control trials are called for to test the effectiveness of traditional healing for HIV/AIDS, STI and TB prevention and care.     

Knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ogun State,Nigeria

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) is responsible for more than 90% of the cases of HIV infection in infants and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate data on the knowledge and perceptions of HIV/AIDS among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria are scarce. A cross-sectional survey of 804 women attending antenatal clinics in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria was done using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Approximately 90% of the women respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS, but only about 27% knew HIV could be transmitted from mother to child; of those, almost 94% believed in the reality of HIV disease; in contrast, the majority (64%) believed they were not at risk of HIV infection, and a slightly greater proportion (70%) did not understand the benefits of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT). Nonetheless, almost 90% of respondents were willing to know their status following health education about VCT. Those that were older, attending public hospitals, and with a higher level of education had more knowledge and better perceptions about HIV. The results suggest an urgent need for public health education on HIV/AIDS and the benefits of VCT to control MTCT, particularly targeting young women and those with little or no education.     

Assessment of HIV/AIDS awareness and changes in sexual practices among secondary school students in Nsukka environment

This study is aimed at assessing the awareness of HIV/AIDS and changes in sexual behaviour among the Nigerian teens. Two hundred and fifty secondary school students were interviewed. Only 5% of the respondents were able to state the full meaning of HIV or AIDS. A minority (28%) believed that HIV was real while the majority (72%) believed that HIV infects whites only. Forty-eight percent of them have changed their sexual practices owing to the AIDS menace. A small percentage, 12%, believed that HIV/AIDS could kill. The study revealed low awareness of HIV/AIDS as well as misconception about the infection, especially in non-urbanized cities of Nigeria.     

Women migrant workers' vulnerability to HIV infection in Hong Kong

Research on population mobility and HIV/AIDS risk among migrant populations is quite limited, and research on migrant women workers' vulnerability is further limited. Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region of China, has currently about 200,000 women migrant workers working as domestic helps. This paper reports migrant women worker's access to AIDS-related health information and health care facilities, perceptions about vulnerability, and risk behaviour profile. Data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire from a random sample of 2,010 women migrant workers. A majority of the migrant women workers (63.6%) have been living and working in Hong Kong for between 4-10 years. Fifty-four per cent of the respondents felt that being a female they were vulnerable to HIV infection. Overall, the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and its route of transmission is inadequate amongst the migrant women workers in Hong Kong. It appears that AIDS-related information education and communication needs of women migrants workers are not met by the current HIV prevention and care activities in Hong Kong. The study indicates that migrant women workers who experienced sexual violence (9%) in Hong Kong perceive themselves to be 'at risk' of HIV infection. Seventy per cent of the respondents reported that they have felt discriminated against in Hong Kong, of which 42% felt discriminated against in Hong Kong hospitals. Addressing discrimination in health care settings is an essential element of AIDS prevention. The discussion urges researchers and policy makers to pay more attention to the vulnerability of migrant women workers.     

Brazilian dental students' knowledge and attitudes towards HIV infection

The purpose of this study was to investigate a group of Brazilian dental students' knowledge about HIV infection, the infection control measures utilized by the dental students, and students' attitudes towards treating HIV/AIDS patients. The study population consisted of 250 dental students from Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil, who were treating patients in clinics of the university and extra-mural rotations at the time of the study. The survey instrument was a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of 32 pre-coded questions and two open-ended questions. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 54%. More than 80% of respondents (N = 135) considered every dental patient a potential HIV carrier. A majority of the students were aware of the association between HIV and Kaposi's sarcoma (92.5%), oral candidiasis (90.3%) and oral hairy leukoplakia (52.7%). A gender difference was observed in students' knowledge of oral manifestations and infection control measures, with females having better knowledge than males (p < 0.05). Because of certain inadequacies in knowledge and infection control practices among respondents, a curriculum focusing on the management of HIV/AIDS, including infection control and legal issues is recommended.     

云南省616例艾滋病病毒感染者死亡报告的临床表现分析

目的 通过分析云南省艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者死亡报告的临床表现和死因,为HIV感染者的关怀提供参考。方法 用EPI软件进行资料的输入和数据处理。结果 ①报告死亡数呈逐年上升趋势。②在616例HIV感染死亡者中.354例具有死亡报告中所列的主要症状,进行性体重下降占95.2％(337/354),持续发热占72.3％(256/354),持续腹泻占51.1％(181/354)。③在290例具有次要临床表现的HIV感染死亡者中,持续性咳嗽占79.3％(230/290),口腔白色念珠菌感染占25.2％(73/290),持续性全身淋巴结肿大占19.3％(56/290),全身多形性皮疹占12.1％(35/290)。④在106例具有特殊临床表现的HIV感染死亡者中,结核病占54.7％(58/106),神经系统病变占44.3％(47/106)。此外,报告的HIV感染死亡者,一般情况较差.具有乏力、纳差、极度消瘦乃至恶病质,占死亡者报告的占87.4％(188/215)。⑤艾滋病(AIDS)和疑似AIDS是HIV感染者的主要死因,占57.8％(356/616);吸毒过量占20.6％(127/616),艾滋病相关综合征(ARC)和非疾病因素(自杀、意外伤害和打架)分别占了6.0％(37/616)和6.3％(39/616)％;1.5％(9/616)死于疟疾、注射假毒品和引产。有63.3％(390/616)的HIV感染者在诊断为HIV感染或AIDS时已经死亡。81.1％(353/435)的HIV感染者死于家中,4.6％(20/435)死于     

第四轮中国全球基金艾滋病项目基线调查分析

目的 为评价第四轮全球基金艾滋病（AIDS）项目执行情况提供本底资料，并为项目计划修订和活动调整提供依据。方法 通过现有资料收集和现场调查获得项目县艾滋病疫情、高危人群规模及其危险行为特征以及防治工作现状。结果 7省76个项目县共累计报告艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者／AIDS病人24316人，经注射吸毒传播的占74．0％，感染率高达85．1％。31个项目县发现暗娼HIV感染者，感染率最高达13．6％。结论 76个项目县HIV流行态势严峻，针对吸毒人群开展降低危害工作，对暗娼的预防干预以及对病人的治疗与目标差距很大，是项目的核心工作，需要加大工作力度。     

HIV/AIDS pandemic and surgical practice in a Nigerian teaching hospital

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on surgical practice in a Nigerian teaching hospital. It involved a questionnaire survey of all the doctors practising in the surgical specialties at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in order to obtain their attitudes and practices toward HIV-positive surgical patients. Sixty-five doctors were interviewed, their ages ranged from 26 years to 62 years with a mean age of 35.1 years. The majority (35.4%) were in general surgery or obstetrics and gynaecology (24.6%). Almost half (47.7%) had operated on known HIV-positive patients and the majority were in support of preoperative HIV screening. Almost all (95.4%) were worried about occupational HIV infection--a significant number of consultants would refuse to be screened if their patient were allowed to know the results (P = 0.014). The cross infection control commonly employed included adequate instrument sterilization, presurgical hand washing and the use of gloves and facemasks. The wearing of eye goggles, double gloving, indirect instrument passing and wearing of water impervious gowns were used less frequently. As HIV/AIDS infected individuals are presenting for surgical procedures in the hospital, there is a need to improve the use of universal infection control measures and to educate all categories of healthcare personnel in order to allay the fears and to prevent discrimination that could militate against effective management of HIV/AIDS patients.     

新疆4个市暗娼的AIDS/STD知识行为及危险因素调查分析

目的探讨新疆维吾尔自治区暗娼感染艾滋病/性病(AIDS/STD)的危险因素。方法2004年4~5月,对新疆乌鲁木齐市新市区、喀什市、伊宁市和吐鲁番市的661名暗娼展开艾滋病知识、行为问卷调查及妇科体检。结果4个市的暗娼对艾滋病已构成的威协认知率不高,3种传播途径掌握率高于75%,其它知识较为缺乏。商业性行为发生频率较高,安全套使用率及定期体检率低,而性传播疾病感染率较高,淋病为0~7.77%,沙眼衣原体为21.24%~23.30%,梅毒为1.1%~5.53%,尖锐湿疣为0.71%~2.91%。结论导致暗娼性传播疾病比例高、艾滋病流行初见势头的主要危险行为是安全套使用率不高,不能坚持定期体检,自我保护意识淡薄,获取的预防知识不够全面。提示今后干预工作中应转变观念,提供全方位的干预措施,从而阻止艾滋病经性途径传播。     

Awareness of HIV/AIDS and its oral manifestations among people living with HIV in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and general issues about HIV and AIDS among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 187 participants chosen by convenience sampling from NGOs supporting PLHIV. A total of 13.4% of the participants were completely unaware of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS whereas all participants were fully aware of general symptoms of AIDS. There were no significant associations between awareness of oral manifestations and general awareness of HIV/AIDS, or level of education. Participants were relatively well aware of the different types of oral manifestations (e.g. oral ulcers 87%, oral candidiasis 84%) while their knowledge of the management of specific oral manifestations and the problems associated with oral manifestations was more limited. It is recommended that health authorities in Tanzania establish population-oriented health education for improving knowledge about oral disease in HIV/AIDS and that oral health professionals provide sound information to PLHIV in community-outreach oral healthcare programmes.     

我国艾滋病相关歧视现状研究及策略建议

艾滋病相关歧视的流行是对全球艾滋病防治工作的挑战。文章通过文献回顾,研究中国以医疗卫生、就业、教育等社会生活的关键领域中,艾滋病相关羞辱和歧视的现状及表现形式,分析其产生的原因和目前政策的发展情况,提出进一步工作的建议。     

上海市虹口区小型娱乐场所暗娼人群艾滋病综合干预效果评价

目的评价在小型娱乐场所暗娼人群中开展预防艾滋病综合干预措施的效果。方法在上海市虹口区选择G和X街道小型娱乐场所,对G街道娱乐场所的暗娼实施面对面宣传、安全套推广使用、医疗转介等综合性干预措施,对X街道的暗娼采用常规宣传干预措施。通过问卷调查和血清学检测,对干预前后两条街道暗娼的艾滋病防治知识、态度及行为进行评估。结果干预前共有244人接受基线调查,其中G街道131人,X街道113人。干预后共有360人接受评估,其中G街道197人,X街道163人。干预后G街道艾滋病防治知晓率78.17%(154/197),最近一次性行为安全套使用率42.13%(83/197),综合性医院或妇女保健所就医选择率91.37%(180/197),均明显高于X街道(P<0.05);近一月与客人性行为时安全套从不使用率(43.15%)显著低于X街道66.87%(P<0.05);两街道HIV及梅毒感染率无显著差异。结论综合干预效果在艾滋病防治的知信行方面明显优于常规宣传,但对降低艾滋病性病发病效果方面的作用需要做进一步的研究。     

The oral clinical features of HIV infection

Patients with HIV infection and AIDS frequently experience one or more oral lesions at some time during the course of their disease. Recognition and management of these oral manifestations is an important component of AIDS care.     

Islamic perspectives on HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral treatment: the case of Nigeria

Some religious reactions to the HIV epidemic in Africa unwittingly contributed to the expansion of the epidemic in its early years. This was because many religious people regarded the emergence of HIV and AIDS as divine punishment for man's sins as a result of people's sexual promiscuity. Some also opposed public promotion of the use of condoms for HIV prevention. However, religious bodies have made positive contributions to HIV/AIDS responses in many African countries in recent times. Though Christian bodies are taking the lead in faith-based responses to HIV and AIDS in Africa, Islamic bodies have also been major partners in HIV/AIDS interventions in several countries. Against this background, this article examines some Islamic perceptions of HIV and AIDS, and especially the impact of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV in Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigeria. In spite of the emergence of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Africa, Islam still emphasises the prevention of new infections and care for people living with HIV or AIDS. The article discusses basic issues associated with ARVs, such as health, sickness, life-prolongation and death, from an Islamic viewpoint, as well as some Islamic measures to prevent HIV-risk-taking behaviours in an era of ARVs. It also looks at the nature and extent of Islamic involvement in the national HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria. The paper concludes that while Islam sees HIV and AIDS and other diseases as ‘tests’ from Allah, the religion is not opposed to ART. Thus, efforts need to be intensified by Islamic bodies and Muslim leaders in Nigeria for an improved response to HIV and AIDS in the country.     

A review of the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Nigeria.

In order to amalgamate research findings on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as well as the trend of the infection in a concise manner, we reviewed published articles on the HIV/AIDS situation in Nigeria. We categorized this review into several subheadings. The HIV prevalence rate has continued to rise steadily from less than 0.1% in 1987, to 5.8% in 2001, with a slight decrease in 2003 to 5.0%. Although the knowledge about HIV and its mode of transmission is widespread, it is however disheartening to note that this did not result into appreciable attitudinal change and behavior modification among Nigerians. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 have been identified in Nigeria, with HIV-1 being the predominant type. Furthermore, several subtypes like subtypes A, B, C, G and J have been identified in Nigeria, with several recombinant forms like the CRF02_AG; the major ones being A, G and CRF02_AG. HIV-infected patients in Nigeria are also co-infected with other viral and bacterial infections, the commonly reported ones being co infections with hepatitis B and C. Although treatment of infected patients has increased recently, more effort is needed, especially in the area of patients monitoring, to maximize the benefits of ART in Nigeria. Finally, Nigeria has made appreciable efforts in vaccine development and candidate HIV DNA vaccines have been developed utilizing the sequences from predominant subtypes, and these candidates have been shown to be immunogenic in animal models. It is therefore clear that only the integration of prevention and antiretroviral research programmes into a coherent programme that is needed to address the public health needs that HIV/AIDS crisis represents for Nigeria.     

某地区农村基层医务人员艾滋病知识、态度及相关行为研究

目的 了解基层医务人员艾滋病基本知识、态度和个人性行为。方法 对某地五个县(市)的县、乡两级医疗卫生单位医务人员进行分层随机抽样,用匿名调查表收集有关个人背景、艾滋病知识、态度和个人性行为资料。计算县、乡两级医务人员各项艾滋病知识正确率和不同态度的分布情况及危险性行为。结果 共调查296名医务人员。三条传播途径知识为44.44％～97.24％,非传播途径知识为62.28％～86.85％,两条预防方法知识为59.3％～63.76％,非预防方法知识为68.51％～85.07％。24.41％的人知道“普遍性防护原则”。65.52％的人认为开展艾滋病抗体检查有助于预防艾滋病传播。认为应该公开感染者身份和允许感染者继续工作的人分别占33.79％和42.76％。多数知识和态度问题县、乡两级间无明显差别。未婚者与至少2个人发生过性行为者占14.29％,已婚者过去6个月发生婚外性行为者为3.88％。结论 基层医务人员艾滋病基本知识比较低,要加强艾滋病预防专项培训工作,特别是“普遍性防护原则”的培训及具体实施,以减少艾滋病医源性传播。     

云南省HIV/AIDS高发区医务人员职业暴露防护现状调查

目的调查艾滋病病毒/艾滋病(HIV/AIDS)高发区医务人员职业暴露防护现状,探讨潜在的危险因素及干预措施,提高职业暴露防护能力。方法对402名医务人员进行问卷调查。内容包括一般资料、医疗护理过程中的防护措施、锐器伤等。结果医务人员对HIV感染者/AIDS病人的诊治和防病知识知晓率达94%,传播途径的知晓率为98%,但自我防护意识淡漠,防护措施、防护设备不到位。结论在医务人员职业暴露防护方面还存在着潜在的危险因素,应进一步加强职业安全教育及培训,完善相关防护措施及防护设备。     

海南省不同人群与艾滋病有关的行为调查

目的 了解海南省青年人、吸毒者、暗娼、服务小姐、性病患者与艾滋病有关的知识、态度、信念、行为(KABP)及其行为模式,为开展艾滋病防治提供科学依据。方法 制订KABP问卷,采用无关联匿名方法进行问卷调查。结果 80.8%-93.8％的人知道共用不消毒的注射器可以感染上艾滋病;76.6％～97.9％的人知道与艾滋病病人发生性关系会感染上艾滋病;61.6％～88.5％的人知道感染上艾滋病病毒(HIV)的孕妇可能将HIV传给胎儿。但是仅有14.7％～29.9％的人知道正确使用安全套能预防艾滋病经性接触传播。研究还发现,吸毒者的吸毒方式正在以最初的口吸为主(占97.2％～98.3％)发展到现在的以注射为主(占45.7％～56.8％)。结论 (1)海南省高危人群中安全套的使用率呈下降趋势;(2)吸毒者注射的比例迅速上升。艾滋病防治任重道远。     

广西1996～2003年艾滋病哨点监测结果分析

目的充分利用广西壮族自治区艾滋病哨点监测资料,进一步掌握广西艾滋病流行现状,使其切实服务于政策开发、预防控制策略和措施的制定,以及干预活动的设计和效果评价。方法按照哨点监测方案在13个点对吸毒者、暗娼、性病门诊就诊者和孕产妇等人群进行监测,监测数据用EPI和SPSS统计软件进行统计分析。结果(1)吸毒人群共用注射器吸毒的比例高达50%以上,艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染在此人群中呈现持续上升的趋势:1996年的监测中未发现HIV感染者,1997年HIV感染率为2.5%,2003年上升为17.0%;(2)暗娼中从不使用安全套的比例较高,约为60.0%,这部分人群中已出现HIV感染;由于部分暗娼为吸毒者,以致某些地方感染率高达10.3%;(3)性病门诊就诊者中性传播疾病的罹患率很高,HIV感染者在各哨点中均有发现,感染率约为0.2%;(4)孕产妇的哨点中也发现了HIV感染者,感染率约为0.1%。结论广西艾滋病的流行已开始从高危人群向一般人群扩散,形势非常严峻。必须尽快采取有效的预防控制措施,减缓艾滋病在广西的流行速度。