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1.
Family communication about HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour among senior secondary school students in Accra,Ghana
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Adu-Mireku S 《African health sciences》2003,3(1):7-14
Background
Sexually active adolescents in Ghana are increasingly at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. As a primary agent of socialization, the family can exert a strong influence on adolescent sexual behaviour. Therefore, to aid in the design and implementation of effective prevention programmes, it is important to understand the role of the family in influencing sexual behaviour among school-going adolescents.Objectives
To evaluate the relationship between family communications about HIV/AIDS and sexual activity and condom use among school-going adolescents in Accra, Ghana.Method
A sample of 894 students (56.9% girls, 43.1% boys; mean age = 17.4 years, SD = 1.40) at two senior secondary schools in Accra completed a modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) questionnaire, a self-administered instrument developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analytical techniques utilized included logistic regression and chisquare.Results
Twenty-five percent of the participants reported being sexually experienced, and 73.6% had talked about HIV/AIDS with parents or other family members. Of the sexually experienced students, 64.7% initiated first sexual intercourse by age 16; and 55.7% did not use a condom at last sexual intercourse. Bivariate analysis showed significant gender differences in sexual activity, condom use, and family communication about HIV/AIDS. Logistic regression analysis showed that student-family communication about HIV/AIDS was not associated with sexual activity. However, communication about HIV/AIDS between students and parents or other family members increased the odds of using a condom at last sexual intercourse.Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest that prevention programmes that seek to educate Ghanaian school-going adolescents about sexual risk behaviour must strongly encourage communication about HIV/AIDS between students and family members. 相似文献2.
3.
Correlates of misperceptions in HIV knowledge and attitude towards People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) among in-school and out-of-school adolescents in Ghana 总被引:1,自引:1,他引:0
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Anthony M Sallar 《African health sciences》2009,9(2):82-91
Background
A quarter century into the HIV pandemic, knowledge about sexual transmission and sharing of needles remain high just as misperceptions relating to casual contact.Objectives
To assess HIV knowledge, misperceptions, and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) among adolescents.Methods
A cross sectional quantitative and qualitative study was conducted among adolescents aged 10–19 (n = 483; mean age, 16.6) in the Ashanti region of Ghana.Results
Knowledge score ranged 0 to 38 (mean = 26.64; sd ± 6.74). To prevent AIDS, 78.1% mentioned sexual abstinence, condom use (72.7%), fidelity to partner (72.5%), not sharing needles (76.4%), and reducing sexual partners (56.7%). Statistically significant associations were found in high misperception scores and having negative attitude towards PLWHAs (0.001 < p < 0.009). Out-of-school adolescents were less likely to be willing to take care of HIV/AIDS relatives (p = 0.004); allow PLWHAs conceal their status (p < 0.001); allow PLWHAs to work with others (p = 0.007); more likely to let PLWHAs have less healthcare (p = 0.026); and indicate that PLWHAs should be isolated (p < 0.001).Conclusion
Out-of-school adolescents constitute hard-to-reach population and mechanisms should be developed to reach them to reduce misperceptions which may fuel stigma and discrimination. 相似文献4.
Background
The impact and management of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho in the context of disaster management was investigated.Objectives
Lesotho health care workers'' perception on HIV/AIDS progression, whether HIV/AIDS was managed as a disaster, and the impact on the demographic profile was investigated.Methods
The empirical investigation included a literature study, and primary and secondary data analyses. Questionnaires (n=116) determined health care workers'' perception of HIV/AIDS. Interviews with officers of Lesotho Disaster Management determined how HIV/AIDS was managed as a disaster. National population censuses and data from surveys were summarised to describe the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population structure.Results
Respondents'' modal age group was 25 to 39 years, 28.4% viewed HIV/AIDS related deaths as very high and perceived that HIV/AIDS changed the age composition, sex and dependency ratio of the population. Although HIV/AIDS was declared a disaster, the Lesotho Disaster Management Authority only aided the National AIDS Commission. There was evidence that HIV/AIDS caused the population pyramid base to shrink, and an indentation in the active population.Conclusion
Health care workers attributed HIV/AIDS to changing the demographic profile of Lesotho, also reflected in the population pyramid. Lesotho Disaster Management Authority played a supporting role in HIV/AIDS disaster management. 相似文献5.
Background
Despite its importance in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing (HCT) is low in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease continues to be a serious public health problem. This has in part been attributed to HIV/AIDS related stigma.Objective
To assess the level of HIV/AIDS related stigma and its impact on uptake of HCT in a high HIV prevalence population in Uganda.Methods
The paper used cross-sectional data on 135 men and 185 women in reproductive ages. Data were analyzed using the Pearson''s chi-square statistic and the random intercept binary logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of uptake of HCT.Results
The result shows that only 18.4% of the respondents, most of them men expressed highly stigmatizing attitudes against PLHA and 59%, men and women alike, received HCT. Uptake of HCT was higher among men (OR=1.89, p<0.01) and women (OR=4.48, p <0.001) who expressed least stigmatizing attitudes. Secondary/higher education, work in the informal sector and being ever married were significant predictors of uptake of HCT. Compared to men, women aged 25–34, 35+ and with one sexual partner were more likely to have received HCT.Conclusions
The low level of stigma, older age, higher level of education, being ever married and monogamous sexual relationships are significant predictors of increased uptake of HCT. 相似文献6.
Objectives
To determine potential partners for pregnant women in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and to determine pregnant women''s perceptions towards selected potential HIV prevention effortsDesign
Cross sectional, questionnaire-administered studySetting
Ante-natal clinics of eleven public health centers and the major referral and university teaching hospital of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, MalawiSubjects
A total of 321 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinicsResults
Antenatal women in Blantyre, Malawi obtain health information on HIV/AIDS from the radio (96.3%), health workers (82.2%), religious gatherings (66.7%), friends (54.8%) and newspapers (39.3%). The majority intend to be accompanied by own mother and sister for delivery (52.4% and 15.4% respectively). Almost all (99%) planned to breast feed with 91.8% reporting an intended breastfeeding period of at least 6 months. About 97% of married women reported desire to tell spouse in case of HIV sero-positive results while only 65.1% had ever discussed about HIV with spouse, and only 5.2% had ever attended antenatal clinic with spouse. Whether woman had ever discussed about HIV/AIDS with spouse or not did not influence desire to disclose HIV status to spouse.Conclusion
Close relatives, spouse and the media are important stakeholders in the health of pregnant women. Programs aimed at prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV should give serious consideration to these partners. 相似文献7.
Background
Health Sciences students are exposed early to hospitals and to activities which increase their risk of acquiring infections. Infection control practices are geared towards reduction of occurrence and transmission of infectious diseases.Objective
To evaluate knowledge and attitudes of infection prevention and control among Health Science students at University of Namibia.Methods
To assess students'' knowledge and attitudes regarding infection prevention and control and their sources of information, a self-administered questionnaire was used to look at standard precautions especially hands hygiene.Results
One hundred sixty two students participated in this study of which 31 were medical, 17 were radiography and 114 were nursing students. Medical students had better overall scores (73%) compared to nursing students (66%) and radiology students (61%). There was no significant difference in scores between sexes or location of the high school being either in rural or urban setting.Conclusion
Serious efforts are needed to improve or review curriculum so that health sciences students'' knowledge on infection prevention and control is imparted early before they are introduced to the wards. 相似文献8.
Background
Although recent estimates of the HIV/AIDS burden in South Africa show the particular vulnerability of youth to HIV, HIV testing and its determinants are largely understudied in this age group.Objective
To investigate the prevalence and determinants of HIV testing among young people aged 18 to 24 years, as part of an evaluation of the impact of loveLife.Methods
South Africa''s national HIV prevention campaign for young people, on HIV and related risk behaviours. A cross-sectional population-based household survey was conducted using a multistage stratified cluster sampling approach. The total sample included 3123 participants, aged 18–24, 54.6% men and 45.4% women, from four provinces (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga).Results
The results indicated that over half (52.2%) of the youth reported testing for HIV, with more young females (60.1%) testing for HIV compared to their male counterparts (39.9%). In the multivariate analysis, older age, being female, HIV knowledge, having ever talked to the mother or female guardian about HIV and having ever been pregnant or made someone pregnant were found to be associated with testing for HIV.Conclusion
There is still room for improving the low proportion of young people who test for HIV. Specific attention needs to be paid to younger males, with lack of HIV knowledge, having never talked to the mother or female guardian about HIV and having never been pregnant or made someone pregnant were less likely to be tested. Outreach at individual and community levels and public health messages targeting these youth should be implemented. 相似文献9.
Background
HIV/AIDS has been described as the fourth largest cause of death globally and leading cause of death in Africa. HIV/AIDS has been a devastating inferno for nearly 30 years, and has particularly impacted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In most African countries, it has been reported that the HIV infection amongst the military has been shown to be about 2 to 5 times higher than their civilian counterparts.Objective
To address the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and risk-related behaviours in military personnel, a well-described high risk groups for HIV/AIDS.Methods
A cross-sectional study among army personnel in 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu, which has a population of about 1777. A random sampling in all the departments of 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters was done using the ballot method to select the respondents. Approval for the study was obtained from the General Officer in Command (GOC) of the 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu.Results
There were no significant differences between the risk related behavior variables when comparisons were made between those under 30 years, and those 30 years and above. Furthermore, more respondents under 30 years (48.0%) did not seek medical treatment when infected with another STI before having sex again as against 45% of those above 30 years. Most of the respondents (9.1%) under the age of 30 years believed that HIV/AIDS could be contracted through mosquito bites as against 2.8% of those above 30 years.Conclusion
The knowledge level of HIV/AIDS among the army personnel was high, though misconceptions about transmission modes like getting HIV through the bites of mosquitoes and casual body contacts were noted, especially among those under 30 years of age. 相似文献10.
George Asumeng Koffuor Rita Dickson Stephen Yao Gbedema Edmund Ekuadzi Gabriel Dapaah Lydia Francisca Otoo 《African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines》2014,11(3):166-172
Background
HIV/AIDS is a pandemic retarding economic growth and destroying human capital globally. This study therefore investigated the perceived efficacy of Betula alba (BA) and Sutherlandia frutescens (SF) decoctions used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.Materials and Methods
A study on the records of HIV/AIDS patients attending Habibi Herbal Clinic, Kumasi, Ghana, was conducted to obtain information on the initial viral load presented during their maiden visit and results after treatment with the herbal decoctions. The decoctions were assessed for immunostimulatory property in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed ICR mice. Total white blood cell count, as well as lymphocyte and neutrophil counts were determined and their effects compared with Levamisole. The decoctions were also screened for antimicrobial activity by the micro dilution method.Results
The two herbal decoctions used significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.001) the patients'' viral loads (47.42 ± 17.28 % to 13.69 ± 12.42 %; n=16). BA (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) and SF (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg) caused significant increment (P ≤ 0.001) in total WBC and lymphocyte count in mice comparable to that produced by 2.5 mg/kg Levamisole. The decoctions also exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria as well as Candida albicans (MIC 0.607 to 3.062 mg/ml). Phytochemicals present in both plants include saponins, terpenoids and coumarins.Conclusion
The Betula alba and Sutherlandia frutescens decoctions have interesting immunostimulatory and antimicrobial properties and hence could be useful in the management of HIV/AIDS and associated opportunistic infections. 相似文献11.
Background
In Uganda the prevalence of HIV averages 12% as was reported to the STD/AIDS control surveillance unit. In Uganda there are approximately 30,000 HIV infected infants per year. The burden of HIV disease is high in Uganda and patients present with ocular complications. However, there is paucity of information and knowledge concerning ocular manifestations in the paediatric HIV/AIDS population and how they may differ from those of adults.Objectives
To describe the ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS infection in an African paediatric population. Generally the study will record the external ocular manifestations seen but specifically to document the intra-ocular lesions, in particular the retinal changes associated with paediatric HIV/AIDS.Design
A cross-sectional hospital based study.Setting
The study was conducted at the Paediatric Infectious Disease Clinic at Upper Mulago Hospital, in Kampala, Uganda.Patients
Patients are those with positive HIV sero status, with or without symptoms and signs of AIDS.Parents/caretakers of the children were interviewed to obtain the socio-demographic data of the patients and a general physical as well as an ophthalmic examination were conducted to document any ocular problems.Results
A total of 158 HIV -infected children were examined. The overall rate of ophthalmic involvement was 35%. The most common finding was a non-purulent conjuctivitis, observed in 12% of the patients, followed by perivasculitis of the peripheral retinal vessels, in 12 % of patients and molluscum contagiosum. 相似文献12.
13.
Objective
We investigated the sexual practices of medical students as they are positioned to serve as peer educators in the fight against HIV/AIDS.Methods
This was a cross sectional study, where self- administered questionnaires were distributed to consenting 4th to 6th year medical students in Jos, Nigeria with a view of elucidating information regarding sexual practices and condom utilization. Safe sex practice was defined as the use of condoms and being in a monogamous relationship.Results
Of a total of 400 questionnaires distributed, 365 respondents (249 males and 116 females) had adequate data for analysis. A large proportion (62%) of our students have never had sex before and less than 30% of them are sexually active. Only 6.1% had multiple sexual partners and homosexuality was uncommon (1.9%). Condom utilization amongst the sexually active was high (65%) and similar among male and female students (71.3% vs. 51.9% respectively, p = 0.08).Conclusion
There exists safe sexual practice among medical students in our setting. This group could be recruited as peer educators in the war against HIV/AIDS. 相似文献14.
Zero prevalence of parasites associated with oral lesions of HIV infected and AIDS patients in South Western Uganda
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Background
Despite paucity of information regarding oral lesions with parasitic etiology, parasitic diseases continue to be problematic among impoverished and immunocompromised individuals in developing countries.Objective
To determine the prevalence of parasites in the oral lesions of Ugandan HIV infected and AIDS patients, in South Western Uganda.Methods
Adult HIV/AIDS positive patients attending The AIDS Support Organization Clinics in South Western Uganda with oral lesions were recruited for this study. Standard parasitological methods (direct microscopy, saline and iodine wet preparations, Giemsa-Romanosky staining of smears and culture) were adopted in analysis of randomly collected six hundred and five samples (469 from females; 136 from males) for parasites.Results
No ova, cyst, trophoziotes, lava or segment of parasites were seen in the oral lesions identified among the studied population.Conclusion
Parasites were absent and therefore may not be implicated as etiologic microbial agents of observed oral lesions associated with HIV infected and AIDS patients living in South Western Uganda 相似文献15.
Eligibility for HIV/AIDS treatment among adults in a medical emergency setting at an urban hospital in Uganda 总被引:1,自引:1,他引:0
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Nakanjako D Kyabayinze DJ Mayanja-Kizza H Katabira E Kamya MR 《African health sciences》2007,7(3):124-128
Background
Despite global effort to scale up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), many people in need of HIV/AIDS care in Uganda have not been reached. HIV testing and ART are not widely offered as routine medical services and data on HIV/AIDS in emergency settings in Sub-Saharan Africa is limited.We determined the HIV prevalence and eligibility for ART in a medical emergency unit at Mulago hospital.Methods
In a cross-sectional study, we interviewed 223 patients who were systematically selected from the patients'' register from October through December 2004. HIV testing was offered routinely and results were delivered within 30 minutes. We evaluated HIV infected patients for WHO clinical stage of disease and referred them for HIV/AIDS care.Results
Out of 223 patients, 111 (50%) had HIV infection of whom 78 (70%) had WHO clinical stage 3 and 4 of disease thereby requiring ART. Overall, 84 out of 111 (76%) HIV positive patients had not received any specific HIV/AIDS care.Conclusion
The burden of HIV infection in the medical emergency unit is high and majority of the patients who required ART had no prior HIV/AIDS care. We recommend scale up of HIV/AIDS care in acute care settings in order to increase access to ART. 相似文献16.
Attitude of antenatal attendees to people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, south-south Nigeria
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Background
Stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on the global efforts to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Due to fear of stigmatization and discrimination, many people are reluctant to undergo voluntary counseling and testing, infected individuals are often unwilling to disclose their status and some of them still engage in high-risk behaviours leading to increased transmission of the virus.Study design and setting
A study of the attitudes to people living with HIV/AIDS was carried out among antenatal clinic attendees at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital with the aim of developing site-specific information and counseling interventions to reduce stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS. Information was elicited from 265 randomly selected women who booked for antenatal care between September and December 2005 with the use of a self-administered questionnaire.Results
263 questionnaires were duly completed and analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 27 ± 5.1 years, majority of them (52.1%) were either unemployed or unskilled workers and 42.9% of them had tertiary education. Awareness and knowledge of HIV/ AIDS was high, (95.8%) and (86.7%) respectively. Majority of the respondents (55.6%) were also assessed as having a positive attitude to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). There was a statistically significant association between good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.000) and a high educational status with a positive attitude to PLWHA (P=0.009).Conclusion
combating stigma and discrimination is an important process in controlling the epidemic. Specific information and counseling interventions aimed at dispelling misconceptions about HIV/AIDS should be reinforced. 相似文献17.
18.
Background
The increase in tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS patients in many countries in Africa including Tanzania, is outstripping the ability of public health services to cope. This calls for a closer collaboration between tuberculosis programmes and other stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS care.Objective
To determine the feasibility of establishing collaboration between the tuberculosis programme and an NGO in TB/HIV care at a district level in Tanzania.Methods
Quantitative and qualitative study designs involving TB as well as HIV suspects and patients together with health workers, were conducted between December, 2001 and September, 2002.Results
A total of 72 patients and 28 key informants were involved. The collaboration was in the following areas; voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, diagnosis and treatment of TB, referral and follow up of patients and suspects, home based care, psychological support and training. . Both the tuberculosis programme and NGO benefited from the collaboration. TB case detection among PLWA increased more than three folds and TB treatment was integrated in home based care of NGO. The main barriers identified in this study were; poor communication, poor referral system and lack of knowledge and skills among health staff.Conclusion
The study has shown that it is possible for a tuberculosis programme and a non governmental organisation to collaborate in TB/HIV care. The study has also identified potential areas of collaboration and barriers that needed to be overcome in order to provide such comprehensive services at a district level. 相似文献19.
Level of stigma among female sex workers: comparison of two surveys of HIV behavioral data, Ethiopia
Background
HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination is widespread in Africa. We did a secondary data analysis of HIV and AIDS behavioral surveillance surveys (BSS) on female sex workers residing in three major cities in Ethiopia.Objectives
To compare level of sigma among sex workers through the analysis of two data sources of BSS conducted in 2002 and 2005 in Ethiopia.Methods
The BSS used standardized methodology to study the level of stigma among female sex workers. Female sex workers were sampled using two-stage probability sampling methods in each of the three cities. Data from a total of 2,888 female sex workers was analyzed and interpreted. We used Chi square to compare the socio-demographic variables of the two surveys and logistic regression to compare level of stigma between the two surveys.Results
There is a significant difference in the level of stigma between the two surveys. This applies to most of the questions that were included in the surveys.Conclusion
The proportion of female sex workers with a stigmatizing attitude is considerably high, posing threats to the HIV prevention program. Strengthening interventions on all aspects of stigma is recommended. 相似文献20.