About Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Research Articles

Validação de tecnologia em libras para educação em saúde de surdos

Resumo Objetivo: Construir e validar um vídeo educativo em Libras para educação em saúde de surdos acerca da Aids e suas formas de transmissão. Métodos: Estudo de desenvolvimento metodológico, com referencial psicométrico, desenvolvido em uma escola de audiocomunicação. Participaram cinco juízes e 18 pessoas surdas. Na coleta dos dados utilizou-se escala Likert e, na análise, o Alfa de Cronbach e o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC). Resultados: O vídeo educativo “Comunicação em Libras: aprendendo sobre a Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (Aids), tem duração de 20 minutos. O roteiro do vídeo foi dividido em três blocos e respectivos itens: Bloco A - Aids, formas de transmissão, sinais e sintomas, diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção; Bloco B - Tipos de preservativos. Bloco C - Aids, um problema de saúde pública. Obteve-se entre os juízes IVC médio de 0,96 para os itens e de 0,90 para os critérios psicométricos de avaliação geral. Entre os surdos obteve-se IVC médio de 0,87. O Alpha de Cronbach Total para os juízes foi 0,989 e, para os surdos 0,634. Conclusão: O vídeo educativo apresenta evidências de validade e representatividade para ser utilizado na assistência e nos processos de educação em saúde do público-alvo.

Commercial sex behaviours among involuntary male bachelors: findings from a survey of migrants in Xi'an, China.

The highly male-biased sex ratio at birth has produced a severe male 'marriage squeeze' in China. However, with an imbalanced sex ratio, the marriage-squeezed or involuntary bachelors can meet their sexual needs only through ways other than marriage. To investigate the commercial sex behaviours of involuntary bachelors, we conducted a survey on reproductive health and family living among male migrant bachelors in Xi'an City, the capital of Shaanxi Province, from December 2009 to January 2010. The prevalence of commercial sex use was 37.2% among unmarried men, 30.1% among married but separated men and 17.2% among married and cohabitating men (χ(2) = 31.33; P = 0.000; df = 2). Marital status, knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), age and income were associated with the prevalence and frequency of commercial sex behaviours. Condom use was less frequent among involuntary bachelors and was significantly associated with knowledge about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, the frequency of commercial sex behaviours, marital status and age. The higher prevalence of commercial sex behaviours and the lower frequency of condom use indicate a higher risk of disease from commercial sex among involuntary bachelors, implicating both individual and public health.

Ethiopian Love Song

In 1972, as a “defrocked” debutante, I worked at a mission hospital in Haiti. It was a summer like no other: full of life, death, and love in unexpected guises. In short, the trip was transformative, drawing me to new worlds like a moth to a flame. Before long, I decided to study tropical medicine. A decade later—as an infectious diseases trainee—my Chief took me aside. “Can you speak with an applicant?,” he asked. And so I met Abraham Verghese, an Indian-American MD raised in Ethiopia. Soon, we were deep in conversation. What sparked our rapport, I later wondered. Was it spiritual provenance? (In 52 AD, Saint Thomas visited southern India and planted the ancient church of Verghese's forbears; in 301 AD, Saint Gregory led my Armenian ancestors to embrace a similar Christian faith.) Or perhaps it was a common love of tropical medicine, history, or literature. Because our Boston fellowships did not overlap, I never found out. Now, fast forward another dozen years. In 1994, when I was back in Los Angeles, Verghese published My Own Country, his breakout non-fiction book about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) sufferers in Tennessee. In 1998, his reputation grew with The Tennis Partner, a second powerful memoir set in Texas. Soon, I invited Verghese to speak at an American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) conference (for the record, he declined, albeit graciously). Finally, at a 2011 University of California at Los Angeles lecture, we reconnected in person. “What happened to your long hair?” were his first words. What the heck?, I thought. Then, I smiled. Writers' memories run deep. Anyway, this piece is not about chance encounters or reunions but Cutting for Stone, Verghese's latest medical blockbuster largely set at an Ethiopian mission hospital. Released in 2009, the novel remains on many bestseller lists even today. Before long (assuming it does not languish in Hollywood development hell), the story will bloom anew on the silver screen. Should I write about it for the Tropical Bookshelf? I waffled earlier this year, still unsure if the sprawling work was suited to AJTMH. Then, I reread the 540-page folio, savoring its story and themes. I also sampled a handful of reviews. There is so much more to say, I gasped. How could the critics have missed so much? Here is another tasting menu of a global saga of love, loss, and redemption, an author's passion for medicine, and a modern literary classic.

Knowledge about aids and drugs among undergraduate students in a higher education institution in the state of Paraná

The main objective of this study was to measure the knowledge of undergraduate nursing students about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and drugs. The study was carried out in 2007 with a random sample of 289 undergraduate students at a State University in the Northwest of Paraná, Brazil. The students self-applied a questionnaire validated by experts. Questions were divided into three levels of complexity: low, average and high. The level of correct answers was higher in the questions of low complexity, diminishing as the questions' complexity increased. Thirteen percent of questions concerning risk factors and vulnerability to HIV infection among injection drug users (IDU) and biological material for diagnosis of AIDS was correctly answered by 90% of students. Students possessed knowledge concerning AIDS and drugs, however such knowledge was considered insufficient, showing lack of information and gaps in education with a dissociation of interdisciplinary and inter-curricular content.

Public Knowledge about HIV / AIDS: A survey of Dental School patients

Introduction: Accurate information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important for prevention of this life-threatening disease. This study sought to determine the knowledge and attitudes of 224 patients, aged between (18 years and 65 years) attending the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Dental Center. Material and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on general knowledge about AIDS, modes of transmission and misconceptions was used. The data was analyzed using Epi-info statistical software. Results: The study revealed that 90% of the respondents knew what AIDS was and how to protect themselves against the virus but only 58% rated their knowledge as being a lot. The highly educated had lower scores in misconceptions on HIV modes of transmission although more of them felt the virus could be acquired through casual contact with an infected person. Seventy-five percent of the highly educated respondents wanted to know more about AIDS when compared to 50% of the less educated counterparts. More of the less educated replied they were at no risk of acquiring the virus. Concerning attitudes, 17% were not willing to be tested for HIV and only 66% responded they would accept an AIDS vaccine were one to exist presently. Ninety percent believed doctors were their most reliable source of information concerning AIDS. More males (98%) than females (84%) wanted to know more about AIDS. Conclusion: Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is high especially among the highly educated adults attending the LUTH dental center. General knowledge on HIV/AIDS among the less educated needs to be emphasized. Also knowledge of methods of transmission of the HIV should be improved upon among both the less and well educated groups. There is a need to change the attitude towards taking an HIV test and receiving a vaccine were one to be available now. The dental community needs to raise its visibility and be involved in the enlightenment of the public on HIV/AIDS and its control programs. NQJHM Vol. 15 (2) 2005: pp. 92-97

Iranians' Attitudes About Possible Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission in Dental Settings

We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October through December 2004 of 8,312 residents of Shiraz, Iran, to investigate Iranians' perceptions about undergoing dental treatment in dental offices where other patients or the dentist and/or dental assistants are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most survey respondents (83%) had acceptable general knowledge about the mode of transmission of HIV and about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); however, many misconceptions were observed. A negative association was detected between the level of concern about contracting HIV/AIDS and the intention to continue treatment in services where patients with HIV/AIDS were also treated or where the dentist and/or dental assistants had HIV/AIDS.

Reflections on AIDS: Lessons for the Future

On June 4, 1981, a report of five cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) inhomosexual men in Los Angeles appeared in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), representing the first publication about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Within 1 month, additional reports of PCP, other fatal opportunistic infections and a rare cancer (Kaposi's sarcoma) were reported among gay men in New York as well as California. Thanks to a highly specific case definition (which was adopted worldwide) and strong support from local health departments and concerned physicians, it was established that the syndrome was new and increasing rapidly. By the end of 1982, the epidemiologic patterns strongly suggested that AIDS was caused by an agent that could be transmitted sexually between men and between men and women and transmitted by blood among injecting drug-users and recipients of blood and blood products. Cases were also identified among infants born to women with AIDS. It was also clear that AIDS cases represented only the “tip of the iceberg” of an epidemic with persons in high-risk populations noting an increased frequency of generalized lymphadepathy, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, lymphomas and other conditions. Though the virus causing AIDS was not yet discovered, in 1983 the U.S. Public Health Service issued recommendations to prevent transmission of AIDS through sexual contact and blood donation. Within the next year, isolation of the causal virus (now known as HIV) facilitated development of assays to diagnose the infection and protect the blood supply. Very unfortunately, HIV proved to be a chronic infection with lifelong persistence and variable but inexorable progression. As it does in individuals, so also in communities and countries, HIV precedes AIDS by many years, causing an insidious epidemic of suffering and death. It is estimated that more than 250,000 Americans had already been infected with HIV by the time of the June, 1981, report of five cases of PCP. In the decades following the early 1980s, advances in monitoring and treating patients with HIV have greatly lengthened and improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of persons with HIV, mostly in high-income countries. In these same countries, perinatal transmission of HIV has been reduced by over 80%. Despite this scientific progress, HIV remains incurable and no vaccine has been proven effective. Meanwhile, HIV has progressed to infect over 60 million, now becoming the world’s fourth leading cause of death. The global impact of AIDS has yet to peak with estimates of new infections still exceeding deaths by millions per year. Despite recent impressive donor commitments in the world, the vast majority of persons with HIV are unaware of their own infection status and have little or no access to lifesaving therapy. Some lessons from the past can guide us in preventing HIV and providing care for those infected in both the United States and throughout the world. First, we must beware of complacency and of the tendency to underestimate the power of HIV to spread among vulnerable populations—especially adolescents and young adults in all nations. Continued education and motivation will be needed to overcome individual and community ignorance and denial. Second, HIV and its modes of transmission will continue to bear stigma, which fosters shame, secrecy and mistrust. Effective HIV prevention and care approaches need to see this as a barrier and attempt to overcome it. Third, successful leaders will build consensus around science-based approaches to HIV prevention. Concerns about saving lives must overcome political and religious differences in dealing with scientifically proven approaches to prevention such as condom availability and adequately funded programs for injecting drug users (including treatment and needle-and-syringe exchanges). Fourth, successful partnerships from the past must be re-energized. When most effective, persons with HIV and other advocates, government officials and caregivers worked together to combat the epidemic. This fosters trust and can assure that HIV treatment and prevention are linked and both receive attention. Fifth, HIV/AIDS and behavioral risk factor surveillance approaches need revamping in the era of effective HIV therapy. In the 1980’s, AIDS surveillance and mortality was highly accurate, and frequent reports were the “conscience” of the epidemic in the United States and the world. Twenty first century surveillance of HIV and risk behaviors must closely monitor the epidemic and risk behaviors while continuing to address privacy concerns. Sixth, resources committed to science for vaccines, therapies and other tools must be enhanced and continued. Finally, the global HIV epidemic demands a global response—with expertise and resources shared with populations in greatest need. We must work together to decrease suffering and death due to AIDS and stop the spread of HIV infection.

Population-level HIV declines and behavioral risk avoidance in Uganda.

Uganda provides the clearest example that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is preventable if populations are mobilized to avoid risk. Despite limited resources, Uganda has shown a 70% decline in HIV prevalence since the early 1990s, linked to a 60% reduction in casual sex. The response in Uganda appears to be distinctively associated with communication about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) through social networks. Despite substantial condom use and promotion of biomedical approaches, other African countries have shown neither similar behavioral responses nor HIV prevalence declines of the same scale. The Ugandan success is equivalent to a vaccine of 80% effectiveness. Its replication will require changes in global HIV/AIDS intervention policies and their evaluation.

Understanding AIDS-Risk Behavior Among Adolescents in Psychiatric Care: Links to Psychopathology and Peer Relationships

Severely mentally ill youths are at elevated risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection, but little is known about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) risk behavior in adolescents who seek outpatient mental health services or about the links between psychiatric problems and particular high-risk behaviors. This pilot study used structural equation modeling to conduct a path analysis to explore the direct and indirect effects of adolescent psychopathology on risky sex, drug/alcohol use, and needle use. Ethnically diverse youths (N = 86) and their caregivers who sought outpatient psychiatric services in Chicago completed questionnaires of adolescent psychopathology. Youths reported their relationship attitudes, peer influence, sexual behavior, and drug/alcohol use. Different AIDS-risk behaviors were associated with distinct forms of adolescent psychopathology (e.g., delinquency was linked to drug/alcohol use, whereas aggression was related to risky sexual behavior), and peer influence mediated these linkages. Some patterns were similar for caregiver- and adolescent-reported problems (e.g., peer influence mediated the relation between delinquency and drug/alcohol use), but others were different (e.g., caregiver-reported delinquency was associated with risky sex, whereas adolescent-reported delinquency was not). Findings underscore the complexity of factors (types of informants and dimensions of psychopathology) that underlie AIDS risk in troubled youths, and they offer specific directions for designing and implementing uniquely tailored AIDS prevention programs, for example, by targeting delinquent behavior and including high-risk peers and important family members in interventions.

Differences in AIDS knowledge among Spanish and English speakers by socioeconomic status and ability to speak English.

Previous studies have shown that Hispanics know less about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than non-Hispanics, but few studies have examined the role of language or socioeconomic status. We used data from a 1998 population-based sample survey of New Jersey adults to compare levels of AIDS knowledge among English and Spanish speakers, taking into account educational attainment and ability to speak English. Spanish speakers, especially those who filled out the questionnaire in Spanish, knew less about AIDS transmission, although their general AIDS knowledge was comparable to English speakers with similar educational attainment. Differences between Hispanics who speak primarily English and those who speak primarily Spanish underscore the idea that linguistic and cultural barriers vary within a cultural group and should be taken into account in the design of AIDS education programs.

Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes of dental personnel about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes of dental personnel about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS among deaf and hard of hearing persons

We investigated whether the public information being dispensed about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reaches Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D&HH) persons to the same extent as the rest of the American population. Using a self-administered written survey, modified so that D&HH persons whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) could understand the questions, we studied 40 D&HH and 37 hearing persons in southeast Michigan. There were no significant demographic differences between the two populations, but there were differences regarding attitudes towards and knowledge about AIDS. D&HH persons were less likely to associate sexual contact with drug users and number of sexual partners as high risk sexual behaviours, were more likely to believe that storing blood for future personal use lowers their chances of contracting AIDS, and believed that using public restrooms, kisses on the cheek and visiting an AIDS patients increased their chances of contracting AIDS. Furthermore, they were more likely to believe they did not need to change their sexual behaviour as a result of the AIDS epidemic. D&HH persons also reported different attitudes towards AIDS patients, such as they were not important to their community, dentists with AIDS should not be allowed to continue working, and landlords should be able to evict people with AIDS. Our findings suggest differences in receiving, trusting, and/or being exposed to current information about AIDS by the Deaf community, consistent with the fact that they are a minority population with distinct knowledge and cultural traditions.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection risk among female sex partners of intravenous drug users in southern Arizona.

Epidemiologic data suggest that women who are sexual partners of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) are at increasing risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The article reports a study describing living conditions, sex risk behaviors, knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and perceptions of AIDS risk among female sexual partners of IVDUs living in southern Arizona. One hundred and twenty-three women who did not use IV drugs but had had sex with an IVDU in the last 6 months were interviewed. Eighty percent belonged to an ethnic minority, and 20% were white. Condom use was infrequent regardless of the number of sexual contacts. Sex was primarily heterosexual, with unsafe vaginal intercourse being the most common practice. Barriers to condom use were self-related and partner related. Some women lacked knowledge about sexual transmission of AIDS. All women reported getting AIDS information in the last 6 months and felt some risk of contracting the disease. AIDS risk reduction interventions should include HIV education and focus on barriers to condom use.

Human immunodeficiency virus risk behavior among white and Asian/Pacific Islander high school students in the united states: Does culture make a difference?

This article analyzes sexual behavior among white and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) adolescents, to determine the risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from a multicultural point of view. A total of 5,385 white and 408 API high school students were included. The national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS 1991) was used. After controlling for academic performance, white students were 2.3 times more likely to communicate about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/HIV, 2.7 times more likely to be sexually experienced, and 2.5 times more likely to use alcohol or other drugs before sex than APIs. There were no significant differences between these two groups in the age of initiating sex, the number of lifetime partners, the proportion of being currently sexually active (having had sex during the past 3 months), and condom use behavior. Although APIs had a low rate of AIDS/HIV, they have behaviors at as high a risk as white students once they became sexually experienced, and they have an even greater number of recent partners if they are currently sexually active. Use of alcohol or other drugs before sex and condom use is significantly related. Given the importance of attention to risks among API adolescents, this study underscores the need for more research to explore how culture values play a role among all API students, those who are sexually experienced, and those who are currently sexually active API students, to develop culturally sensitive AIDS/HIV prevention programs.

Evaluating the Program Effects of a Radio Drama about AIDS in Zambia

This study describes an approach to the analysis of data that is designed to isolate program effects for evaluations and applies that approach to a program in Zambia designed to disseminate AIDS information. Evidence is considered that a radio drama broadcast for nine months had an impact on knowledge and behavior related to AIDS among Bemba speakers in northern Zambia. Using results from large sample surveys (1,600 men and women), conducted before and after the drama was broadcast, the analyses compare changes in knowledge and behavior in those most likely and least likely to have listened to the broadcast. While the population as a whole had improved its knowledge substantially, and some people reported having reduced risky behavior, attributing these changes to the program itself was not possible.

Using condoms to prevent transmission of HIV

In a book about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) the Social Commission of the French Episcopate states that many competent doctors maintain a reliable condom is the only effective means of prevention of the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The commission seems unaware of certain facts. Firstly a survey by a family planning clinic in Manchester indicated that 52% of respondents had experienced bursting or slippage of condoms in the previous three months. This is supported as stated in the article by the pregnancy rate reported by Vessey and colleagues of 6/100 women-years for women aged 25-34 years who belonged to a stable experienced motivated clinic population. Secondly in discussing attempts to develop a plastic condom an article in Population Reports states that the more expensive plastic is more uniform with fewer pinholes or variations in thicknesses and that people who use condoms faced a risk about two-thirds that of nonusers of developing gonorrhea trichomoniasis or chlamydia infection. The relative risk for HIV transmission was 0.4 for persons who used condoms. Thirdly a study by a genitourinary clinic in London showed that although use of condoms increased by 4-21% between 1982 and 1992 this failed to control viral sexually transmitted diseases. Finally an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine commenting on a European study of HIV transmission stated that the sample was not large enough to exclude the possibility of a transmission rate of up to 1.5/100 person-years among the consistent condom users.

Turn-taking in mother-adolescent conversations about sexuality and conflict

The current study examined the nature and style of mother-adolescent conversations, how these conversations differ by subject matter, and dyadic and individual differences. Thirty-one mother-adolescent dyads (17 boys, 14 girls) with a child between the ages of 11 and 14 had a nonstructured conversation, and conversations about conflict and sexuality. They also completed questionnaires on beliefs about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Conversations were measured for turn taking, total number of words, and conversational dominance, as well as nonverbal measures of affiliation, shame, and contempt. Conversations about sexuality involved less turn taking, fewer words, and more mother dominance than nonstructured conversations. Conversations about conflicts involved less turn taking but more words than nonstructured conversations. Some gender and age differences were found. More interactive conflict conversations contained higher levels of affiliation, and lower levels of child shame than conversations with fewer turns or higher mother dominance. In addition, children in more interactive dyads possessed a larger percentage of their mother's AIDS knowledge, and worried about AIDS a moderate amount.

Safety of the Blood Supply

IN THE YEARS following the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection as a transfusion-transmitted disease, both the general public and the medical profession have voiced great concern about the safety of the blood supply. Although improved donor screening and testing have greatly increased blood safety, a 1993 Gallup survey¹showed that concern about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) far exceeded that for heart or lung disease, despite the greater health risk these latter pose. Widely publicized shortcomings in the conduct of several blood collecting agencies in Europe and the United States have only heightened public fear. As the number of measures to promote safety increases, their value must be weighed against many other considerations, such as wastage of discarded blood and unnecessary loss of potential donors due to false-positive results, direct costs of additional or more technologically demanding tests, the increased risk of errors with additional

Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, perception of risk, and behaviors among older adults.

In a study of knowledge and beliefs about human immunodeficiency virus among older persons, 458 senior center participants completed a questionnaire derived from the Health Belief Model. The older adults had a fairly good knowledge base about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although they recognized the seriousness of the disease, they generally did not believe that they were susceptible to AIDS. Those who expressed an interest in receiving AIDS education had significantly higher perceived susceptibility scores than those who did not. African American respondents were statistically more interested in AIDS education than white or Hispanic respondents. Recommendations for interventions and further research are discussed.

School-based AIDS education for adolescents

To describe a program which utilizes medical students and persons with AIDS (PWAs) to provide for adolescents school-based education about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Two 1.5 hour classroom sessions were conducted by medical students and persons with AIDS for seventh and eighth grade students (n = 1,161 students) at two urban middle schools. In addition, a two hour informational session was provided for parents. A 49 question student health survey was used to evaluate adolescents' HIV knowledge, tolerance of persons with AIDS, and intentions to engage in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) safe behaviors. Significant (p < 0.01) increases in HIV knowledge and tolerance of persons with AIDS were observed, which persisted for three months. A significant (p < 0.01) improvement in intention to engage in HIV-safe behaviors was observed but did not persist for three months. Medical students and persons with AIDS can provide school-based AIDS education to early adolescents.