Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards voluntary counseling and testing among adults

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has the third highest population of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is still low, especially in the rural areas. This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards VCT among adults in a rural community in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A pretested questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 210 adults in Danbare village, northern Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitudes toward VCT was elicited among respondents. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (59%) did not know the causative agent of AIDS; however, knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 71% and 64% of study participants mentioning sexual activity and unscreened blood transfusion, respectively, as possible transmission routes. Respondents listed avoidance of premarital sex, outlawing prostitution, condom use and screening of blood before transfusion as protective measures. Overall, 58 (27.6%), 80 (38.1%) and 72 (34.3%) of the respondents had good, fair and poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, female gender and formal education remained significant predictors of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Reasons for rejection of VCT included fear of stigma, marital disharmony, incurable nature of the disease and cost of treatment. Formal education, female gender and HIV knowledge significantly predicted positive attitude toward VCT for HIV/AIDS among the study population. CONCLUSION: More than half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and the majority were willing to have VCT. However, misconceptions, fear, gaps in knowledge and limited access to VCT remain prevalent. Our findings suggest the need to provide health education and scale up VCT services in northern Nigeria by targeting the efforts of international and local development partners to underserved rural areas.     

Attitude of antenatal attendees to people living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, south-south Nigeria

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.     

Effects of health education on HIV/AIDS related knowledge among first year university students in China

BackgroundThe number of new HIV infections has increased and implementation of school-based health education programs on AIDS have been advocated for a long time.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effectiveness of an intervention of HIV/AIDS on the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and control among first year university students.MethodsAn awareness questionnaire was adopted to assess awareness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS pre- and post-health education among first year university students in Qinghai, China. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used.ResultsA total of 2,165 and 2,062 first year university students were respectively recruited pre- and post- HIV/AIDS health education. The awareness rate increased significantly after the health education intervention (from 48.59%, 95%CI: 46.47%–50.72% to 76.24%, 95%CI: 74.35%–78.06%). Students from Hui and Tibetan ethnicities, and those holding prejudices against AIDS patients were less knowledgeable than their counterparts regarding HIV/AIDS related knowledge, whereas urban-dwellers and those with higher paternal education were positively associated with awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge (p <0.05).ConclusionHIV/AIDS awareness among first year university students improved greatly after receiving an education intervention, which underscores its utility as part of the approaches of HIV/AIDS control and prevention.     

Characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV infected elderly patients enrolled in Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital,Kenya

BackgroundA better understanding of the baseline characteristics of elderly people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is relevant because the world''s HIV population is ageing.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the baseline characteristics of PLWHA aged ≥ 50years at recruitment to HIV/AIDS clinic compared against the viral load (VL) and CD4 count among patients attending Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), Kenya.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated temporal inclinations of CD4 levels, viral load change and baseline demographic characteristics in the electronic records at the hospital using a mixed error-component model for 1329 PLWHA attending clinic between January 2008 and December 2019.ResultsFindings showed a significant difference in the comparison between baseline VL and WHO AIDS staging (p=0.026). Overall VL levels decreased over the period significantly by WHO AIDS staging (p<0.0001). Significant difference was observed by gender (p<0.0001), across age groups (p<0.0001) and baseline CD4 counts (p=0.003). There were significant differences in WHO staging by CD4 count >200cell/mm3 (p=0.048) and residence (p=0.001).ConclusionAge, WHO AIDS staging, gender and residence are relevant parameters associated with viral load decline and CD4 count in elderly PLWHA. A noticeable VL suppression was attained confirming possible attainment of VL suppression among PLWHA under clinical care.     

Hepatitis B virus prevalence,immunization and immune response in people living with HIV/AIDS in Istanbul,Turkey: a 21-year data analysis

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence, immune status, and the prevalence of antibody response in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Istanbul, Turkey.MethodsThe study includes PLWHA aged 18 years and older who were followed-up for at least 6 months from 1997 to 2018.ResultsOf the 653 patients with PLWHA, 99 (15.2%) were both antiHBc-IgG and antiHBs positive, 120 (18.3%) were antiHBc-IgG positive/antiHBs negative. HBsAg was positive in 40 (6.1%) patients. HBsAg positive coinfection (≤40 years 4.6% vs. >40 years 21.7%, p<0.001) and antiHBc-IgG positivity/antiHBs negativity (≤40 years 14.0% vs. >40 years 26.5, p<0.001) were higher in PLWHA older than 40 years. The prevalence of HIV/HBV coinfection reached a peak level of 22.2% in 2004, and it decreased to 3.3% in 2018. The prevalence of immunization before HIV diagnosis was low (15.6%). The prevalence of antibody response (anti-HBs>10 IU/L) after immunization for HBV was 50%. A higher protective response was associated with CD4+≥350 cell/mm3 (59.3%, p=0.014).ConclusionHBV coexistence in PLWHA remains an imperatively important problem. The most conclusive methods in solving this problem are to prevent transmission by immunization and control measures. Also, HBV screening should in no manner be neglected in PLWHA.     

Gender differences among oral health care workers in caring for HIV/AIDS patients in Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the relationship between gender and knowledge, attitude and practice of infection control among oral health care workers in the management of patients with HIV/AIDS in Osun State of Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional survey using 85 oral Health care workers (OHCWs) enlisted in the public dental health clinics. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. A total of 85 questionnaires were distributed. The response rate was 93%; 42 (53%) were males and 37 (47%) females. The majority of the respondents were in the 25-40 year old age group and the mean age was 37.3 years. This study found significant differences in gender and ability to identify HIV/AIDS oral manifestations (p<0.001) and recognition of HIV/AIDS risk factors (p<0.001). There was statistically significant gender difference and infection control practices (p=0.02) among the OHCWs. Males were more compliant to the universal cross-infection control principle than the female respondents. A significant association (p< 0.001) was found between OHCW gender and their attitude to the management of HIV/AIDS patients with males showing a better attitude towards the care of HIV/AIDS patients. This study shows that there are significant gender difference in attitudes, behaviour and practices of OHCW with males faring better than the females. National AIDS Control Programme, Health Control bodies, Health educators and other organizations should make efforts to improve the attitude and practice of oral health care workers regarding the management of patients with HIV/AIDS.     

校医对艾滋病知识、态度、行为的调查

目的 了解校医对艾滋病的偏见或歧视行为,分析其影响因素,并对减少歧视的方法进行初步调查.方法 采用横断面研究方法,于2015年4-7月在洛阳市6个区分别随机选取6所学校,在每个学校选择3名校医(总计92人),采取封闭式问卷调查的方式,对调查对象人口特征、艾滋病态度、艾滋病知识、造成歧视的原因以及减少歧视的办法进行了调查.结果 在被调查对象中,79.4％对因卖血、输血患病者表示值得同情,90.2％对母婴传播而患病者表示同情,90.3％对因吸毒而患病表示不值得同情,64.1％对因性接触而患病表示不值得同情.80.6％的调查对象不会购买感染者家生产的食品,65.0％的调查对象禁止子女接触感染者子女.不同年龄调查对象对艾滋病歧视程度有统计学差异(x2=10.776,P ＜0.05).不同性别被调查对象,艾滋病知识评分高低与艾滋病歧视行为持有率无统计学差异(P＞0.05).结论 虽然洛阳市校医对艾滋病的防治知识知晓率较高,但部分校医仍然存在对艾滋病的歧视和偏见,应采取有针对性的措施减少歧视行为.     

HIV/AIDS awareness among hospital employees

The present cross sectional study was carried out to assess the basic knowledge and attitude of class III and Class IV hospital employees (n = 250) regarding HIV/AIDS. Of the 250 study subjects 232(92.8) had heard or read about AIDS. Chief sources of information were television, newspapers and doctors. Though the study subjects had some factual knowledge about HIV/AIDS, certain misconceptions and myths persisted. They were also found to have a biased and negative attitude towards people with AIDS. 223(96.1%) study subjects said that they would like to learn more about HIV/AIDS. The results of this study indicate that action is needed to increase the level of knowledge of this group so that they reject biased information and myths relating to AIDS and thus carry out their duties effectively and help in forming an enlightened opinion against AIDS.     

Predictors for tuberculosis co-infection in people living with HIV/AIDs

Background/aimTuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common chronic infectious conditions causing mortality and severe outcomes, particularly in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of TB among PLWHA.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective and single-center study of adults (≥18 years) PLWHA registered at our tertiary teaching and research hospital between 2000 and 2016.ResultsA total of 711 PLWHA were included. Of whom, 633 (89.0%) were male. Mean age was 36.53 ±11.55 years (range, 17–79). Thirty-eight (5.3%) patients were diagnosed with active TB. TB development was associated with low CD4+ lymphocyte count (p<0.001), high viral load (p=0.040) and alcohol consumption (p=0.004) but no association with age (p=0.392), gender (p=0.928) and duration since anti-retroviral therapy initiation (p=0.788) was found. Also, a receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curves of CD4+ lymphocyte count as a predictor for TB development in PLWHA was 0.717 (p<0.001).ConclusionThere are still clinical challenges to predict TB diagnosis. However, CD4+ lymphocyte count and viral load may be considered as valuable predictors for TB development. Also, community strategies to reduce harmful effect of alcohol use should be developed.     

重庆市城区农民工HIV/AIDS防治知识和态度调查

目的了解重庆市主城区农民工HIV/AIDS防治知识和态度,为防治艾滋病提供科学依据。方法随机选取重庆市主城区3个区9个建筑工地的农民工,每个区400人,共1200人,由经过培训的专业人员进行问卷调查,内容包括基本情况、艾滋病知识与态度、获得艾滋病知识途径等。结果发放问卷1260份,有效问卷1243份。8个HIV/AIDS防治知识问题中回答正确范围为33.95%～80.13%,全部回答正确的占15.12%。10种获得艾滋病知识途径中处于前三位的分别是电视（53.50%）、广播（37.01%）、免费宣传材料（31.62%）。结论重庆市主城区农民工对艾滋病防治知识有所了解,但存在歧视。建议对农民工这一特殊群体加强健康教育宣传,以降低艾滋病在这部分人群中的传播危险。     

Hospital pharmacists’ knowledge about and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and patients living with HIV/AIDS in Kedah,Malaysia

Introduction

The current study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, and perception of hospital pharmacists towards HIV/AIDS and patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the state of Kedah, Malaysia.

Material and methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the hospital pharmacists in three government hospitals in Kedah, using a self-administered 43-item questionnaire. Data analysis was done using non-parametric and multinomial regression.

Results

A total of 75 respondents participated in this study, resulting in a response rate of 60.8%. The majority were found to be well aware of the causes of HIV/AIDS. However, about 34 (45.3%) believed erroneously that HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through tattooing or body piercing. Nearly 25 (33.3%) of the respondents believed that preventing the use of intravenous drugs may not be effective to prevent HIV/AIDS and endorsed social isolation as a measure to prevent HIV/AIDS. The majority (66.6%) had negative attitudes and about 20% held extremely negative attitudes. Findings from regression modelling revealed that hospital (–2 log likelihood = 215.182, χ² = 18.060, Df = 8, p = 0.021) and gender (–2 log likelihood = 213.643, χ² = 16.521, Df = 8, p = 0.035) were more likely to affect the attitudes of respondents.

Conclusions

Overall, more than one third of the respondents were found to have negative attitudes towards PLWHA. Gender, job experience, and hospitals with more HIV/AIDS patient visits were the main factors affecting attitudes.     

某学院医学生艾滋病知识、态度与行为调查

目的了解医学生艾滋病知识、态度和相关行为,为医学院校开展艾滋病健康教育提供科学依据。方法采用整群随机抽样的方法,抽取咸宁学院医学生共260人,通过匿名自填式问卷调查的方式,对艾滋病知识、态度、行为进行调查。结果医学生艾滋病基本知识的答对率大部分在80%以上,但仍有40%左右的学生不能正确判断蚊虫叮咬能否传播艾滋病。对于共用剃须刀、牙刷能否传播艾滋病的答对率不同年级之间的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;在对AIDS患者的态度上,80%以上的学生觉得应该对艾滋病患者的隐私保密。回答愿意与感染了艾滋病的同学交往和愿意照顾患有艾滋病的亲属的人数从低到高年级呈上升趋势;在艾滋病相关行为上,80%以上的学生表示怀疑患艾滋病后会选择公立医院就医,但仍有少数同学会选择去私立诊所或自己买药等方式处理。结论大部分医学生对艾滋病的基本知识掌握较好,但对传播途径仍存在一些误区。建议今后在医学生中加强性道德和医学伦理学的教育,引导学生增强自我保护意识,促进他们对AIDS的认识与态度、行为统一。     

Metabolic syndrome and its components among HIV/AIDS patients on Antiretroviral Therapy and ART-Naïve Patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,Calabar, Nigeria

BackgroundAlthough an increasing access to ART in sub-Saharan Africa has made it possible for HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, clinicians managing such patients are faced with the challenge of drug-related metabolic complications.MethodsA cross -sectional study was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, on three groups of participants; namely HIV patients on ART, ART-naïve patients and HIV negative subjects (n =75). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire while biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric methods.ResultsThe highest prevalence of MS was associated with the HIV/AIDS patients on ART (i.e. 32.0 %, and 50.3% for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively). Patients on ART had significant increases (p< 0.05) in waist to hip ratio, FPG, serum TG and LDL-c; and a significantly higher (p< 0.05) prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, low HDL-c and hypertriglyceridaemia compared to the ART-naïve patients. Low serum HDL-c was the most prevalent form of dyslipidaemia in all three groups and the most prevalent component of MS in HIV patients.ConclusionART increases the risk of MS and CVD. HIV/AIDS patients on ART should be advised on lifestyle modifications and undertake regular assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors.     

Knowledge of high school students about HIV and AIDS]

In 475 students attending the last school year in four high schools in the town of Povazská Bystrica, Slovakia a questionnaire survey of students' knowledge of HIV infection and AIDS was carried out. 76.33% of all answers to questions in the questionnaire were correct. We found no significant differences between the percentage of correct answers among schools, among boys and girls and among students living in the country and in town. 56% of the students fought that there is enough information about HIV infection, AIDS and about prevention of that infection. Nevertheless the percentage of correct answers to some questions in the questionnaire do not correspond to this statement.     

Current perspectives on AIDS/HIV education and counseling

This whole issue of Patient Education and Counseling is devoted to current perspectives on AIDS/HIV education and counseling. The results of 15 completed empirical studies and empirically-based reviews are described, highlighting the central role of education and counseling in research and clinical practice in the AIDS/HIV arena in the USA, UK, Australia, The Netherlands, and Israel. The articles concern: readability of educational materials, format of informed consent, participation of drug users in HIV-testing, measurement of condom use, safe sex among the young and non-monogamous, sexual network analysis, high-risk sexual behavior among gay men, prostitution, public reactions towards people with AIDS, teachers' attitudes towards AIDS, measurement of mental adjustment to AIDS, influencing quality of life by counseling, satisfaction with HIV counseling, the influence of psychosocial factors on the course of HIV infection, and a report on the recently held 10th International Conference on AIDS.     

HIV感染者和AIDS病人焦虑状况及其影响因素

目的了解艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者和艾滋病（AIDS）病人（简称PLWHA）焦虑状况,探讨其影响因素。方法采用Zung氏焦虑自评表（SAS）和评价方法 ,在广州市番禺区艾滋病VCT门诊对144名PLWHA进行面对面问卷调查,采用SPSS统计软件进行统计学析。结果 PLWHA的SAS总粗分（32.19±6.91）高于国内常模,差异有统计学意义（t=3.919,P〈0.01）。焦虑总发生率为17.36%,其中HIV感染者和AIDS病人分别为16.16%和20.00%。SAS标准总分方面,AIDS病人、年龄〉50岁者、在本市居住的非本市户籍者中居住年限〈5年者、确认感染HIV年限〈1年者、抗病毒治疗年限〈1年者和CD4细胞计数≤200个/mm3者均相对较高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。年龄〉50岁者和确认感染HIV年限〈1年者的焦虑患病率均相对较高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。Logistic多因素分析发现,性别、年龄和确认感染年限是PLWHA焦虑的主要影响因素,年龄〉50岁者产生焦虑的危险是≤50岁者的7.8倍。结论 PLWHA的焦虑状况较一般人群严重,并受多方面因素的影响,应在随访关怀过程中加强心理支持体系的构建,改善其焦虑状况,提高生活质量。