Psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV and the community before and after a HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention

The purpose of the research was to determine whether an HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention in a South African urban area would bring about a difference in the psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV (PLWH), as well as their community (living in the same municipal ward). A single case pre-test post-test design was implemented. The sample for this study included 62 PLWH who were selected through accessibility sampling and 570 community members who were selected through random voluntary sampling. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) before and after the intervention. A dependent t-test as well as Cohen’s d-values were used to calculate the differences between the pre- and post-test results for depression and well-being. Levels of languishing, moderate mental health and flourishing before and after the intervention were determined. Although the focus of the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” intervention that was followed in this study was on the involvement of PLWH and people living close to them (PLC) to share their knowledge as community mobilisers and to mobilise and empower their own community to reduce HIV stigma, it can be concluded that a secondary gain was the effect it had on both depression and mental health of the PLWH as well as the community. Of interest is how these effects differed for PLWH and the community. It is thus recommended that future interventions should give special attention to aspects of depression and well-being.     

The Long-Term Impact of Neurofeedback on Symptom Burden and Interference in Patients With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Context

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment and may adversely affect quality of life (QOL) for years.

Lactose absorption and mucosal disaccharidases in convalescent pellagra and kwashiorkor children

Oral lactose and glucose/galactose loading tests were done in Bantu children convalescing from kwashiorkor and pellagra. Small bowel biopsies and disaccharidase estimations were performed in all except 2 patients. Lactose absorption was more impaired and intestinal lactase levels were lower in the pellagra than in the kwashiorkor group. The fact that diarrhoea after admission to hospital was less common in pellagra than kwashiorkor was ascribed to a lesser lactose load due to the early introduction of a mixed diet in the former group, in comparison with milk feeds only in the latter group. The absence of troublesome diarrhoea while on moderate quantities of lactose in the diet, in the presence of low intestinal lactase levels, but evidence of lactose malabsorption after loading, has a bearing on preventive and therapeutic nutrition programmes in non-Caucasian children. Lactase deficiency is not necessarily synonymous with symptomatic lactose intolerance if the threshold is not exceeded. Concern is expressed that excessive caution against the use of milk may lead to a worsening of infantile malnutrition in developing countries.