HIV-related Information Research Articles

Online Resources for Persons Recently Diagnosed With HIV/AIDS: An Analysis of HIV-Related Webpages

The Internet is a major source of HIV-related information and resources for persons recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS (PRDHA). This study examined the types of HIV-related websites that appear as a result of HIV-related keyword searches and the extent to which website information targets PRDHA. The first page of HIV-related webpages from 18 keyword searches was coded. Among 137 webpages meeting inclusion criteria, 63% represented HIV-informational websites, 31% targeted HIV-positive individuals, and over half contained or provided access to HIV prevention, treatment, and transmission information. Thirty-three percent of webpages contained or provided access to PRDHA-targeted information, with a greater percentage of those webpages having mobile, non-English, and “Ask the Expert” features compared with non-PRDHA targeted webpages. Implications for PRDHA include the following: (1) they should explore HIV-related websites to gain insight into the credibility of the information contained on those sites; (2) PRDHA must be aware that HIV-related websites have the potential to elicit dated, emotionally distressing, or irrelevant information; and (3) to obtain information that relates to their demographic and situational profile, they may wish to use specific key terms (e.g., “HIV women”) rather than attempting to navigate webpages that arise from general search terms (e.g., “HIV”). Recommendations for future development of online resources for PRDHA include providing HIV-relevant information in a stepwise fashion, providing demographically targeted HIV information, and greater utilization of mobile technology.

Understanding participation in a hospital-based HIV support group in Limpopo Province, South Africa

AbstractBackground:Support groups are an appropriate way of delivering psychosocial support to people living with HIV/AIDS, especially in low-resource countries. The aim of the study was to understand why people with HIV attended psychosocial support groups.Methods:This was a qualitative study design using focus-group discussions in which support-group members volunteered to participate. Five focus groups were involved in the study.Results:The participants attended because they were referred by a health-care worker, wanted information, wanted emotional support, accompanied an ill relative or knew about the support group. Perceived benefits included receiving psychological support, accepting one's HIV status, reducing stigma and isolation, increasing hope, forging new friendships, helping others, obtaining HIV-related information, developing strategies to change behaviour, gaining access to medical care at the adjoining HIV clinic and receiving food donations. Negative aspects of attending the support grou...

Nigerian Dental Students’ Willingness to Treat HIV‐Positive Patients

Dental care of HIV-positive individuals plays a vital role in improving their nutritional intake, medication tolerance and effectiveness, treatment success rate, and quality of life. It is therefore important to ensure optimal dental care of this group of people, especially since more of them, with or without knowledge of their serologic status, are now utilizing dental services. The objective of this study was to assess Nigerian dental students' willingness to treat HIV-positive individuals. A descriptive cross-sectional survey of all seventy-six final-year dental students of the University of Benin, Nigeria, was conducted in December 2007 using a self-administered questionnaire that elicited information on the students' demography, self-rated knowledge on HIV/AIDS, attitude towards homosexuals, infection control practices, occupational risk perception, and willingness to provide care for HIV-positive individuals. The response rate was 76.3 percent. Over 77 percent of the respondents were in the twenty-five to thirty years age group. The male-female ratio was approximately 1.6:1. HIV-related knowledge was reported as high by only 31 percent of the respondents. Eighty-one percent showed great interest in HIV-related information, while about half (53.4 percent) exhibited significant worry about occupational contagion. Forty-eight (82.7 percent) desired more knowledge about safety precautions during treatment of HIV patients. Fifty respondents (86.2 percent) reported good infection control practices. About three-fourths (74.2 percent) rated the risk of HIV contagion from patients high, while only one-fourth (25.8 percent) reported having an unsympathetic attitude towards homosexuals. Almost all respondents (98.3 percent) agreed that oral care for HIV-positive individuals improves their quality of life, but only 58.8 percent expressed a willingness to treat HIV-positive patients and only 46.5 percent said they will render volunteer dental services in HIV centers. HIV prevalence will determine the location of practice of 41.4 percent of the respondents. The result suggests the need to have a comprehensive educational/motivational program for the next generation of dentists in Nigeria in order to ensure adequate care of HIV-positive individuals. The perceived deficiency revealed in this study can also serve as a vital guide for curriculum change on HIV-related issues.

Perceptions of HIV-Related Websites Among Persons Recently Diagnosed with HIV

Many HIV-positive persons use the Internet to address at least some of their needs for HIV-specific information and support. The aim of this multimethod study was to understand how a diverse sample of persons who were recently diagnosed with HIV (PRDH) used the Internet after an HIV diagnosis and their perceptions of online HIV-related information and resources. HIV-positive persons (N = 63) who had been diagnosed since the year 2000 were recruited primarily through HIV-related websites and HIV medical clinics. One third of participants (33%, n = 21) were gay or bisexual men, 25% (n = 16) were heterosexual men, 32% (n = 20) were heterosexual women, and 10% (n = 6) were transgender women (male to female). Semistructured interviews and brief postinterview surveys were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative findings suggested that the most appealing websites to PRDH included those that: (1) provided usable information on topics of immediate concern; (2) used accessible formats that were easy to navigate; (3) were perceived as trustworthy, and (4) provided access to diverse perspectives of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Topics that PRDH found most useful included various medical treatment-related issues, tools for coping with depression and fear, and learning how others cope with HIV. Incorporating the perspectives of HIV-positive persons into the design and content of HIV-related websites is important to enhance their appeal for this diverse and growing population.

Cancers in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD): a retrospective analysis of risk factors

BackgroundThis retrospective survey describes types of cancers diagnosed in HIV-infected subjects in Asia, and assesses risk factors for cancer in HIV-infected subjects using contemporaneous HIV-infected controls without cancer.MethodsTREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) sites retrospectively reviewed clinic medical records to determine cancer diagnoses since 2000. For each diagnosis, the following data were recorded: date, type, stage, method of diagnosis, demographic data, medical history, and HIV-related information. For risk factor analyses, two HIV-infected control subjects without cancer diagnoses were also selected. Cancers were grouped as AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs), and non-ADCs. Non-ADCs were further categorized as being infection related (NADC-IR) and unrelated (NADC-IUR).ResultsA total of 617 patients were included in this study: 215 cancer cases and 402 controls from 13 sites. The majority of cancer cases were male (71%). The mean age (SD) for cases was 39 (10.6), 46 (11.5) and 44 (13.7) for ADCs, NADC-IURs and NADCs-IR, respectively. The majority (66%) of cancers were ADCs (16% Kaposi sarcoma, 40% non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 9% cervical cancer). The most common NADCs were lung (6%), breast (5%) and hepatocellular carcinoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma (2% each). There were also three (1.4%) cases of leiomyosarcoma reported in this study. In multivariate analyses, individuals with CD4 counts above 200 cells/mm3 were approximately 80% less likely to be diagnosed with an ADC (p < 0.001). Older age (OR: 1.39, p = 0.001) and currently not receiving antiretroviral treatment (OR: 0.29, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of NADCs overall, and similarly for NADCs-IUR. Lower CD4 cell count and higher CDC stage (p = 0.041) were the only independent predictors of NADCs-IR.ConclusionsThe spectrum of cancer diagnoses in the Asia region currently does not appear dissimilar to that observed in non-Asian HIV populations. One interesting finding was the cases of leiomyosarcoma, a smooth-muscle tumour, usually seen in children and young adults with AIDS, yet overall quite rare. Further detailed studies are required to better describe the range of cancers in this region, and to help guide the development of screening programmes.

Clinicians' Knowledge of 2007 Food and Drug Administration Recommendation to Discontinue Nelfinavir Use During Pregnancy

In 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Pfizer Inc recommended immediate discontinuation of nelfinavir (NFV) during pregnancy due to contamination with a potential teratogen. A few weeks after the announcement, we surveyed antenatal HIV care providers to determine how widely the warning was disseminated. Overall, 69 of 121 (57.0%) providers knew to discontinue NFV. Callers with more than 50 HIV-infected patients were 2.54 times as likely to be aware as callers with 1-3 HIV-infected patients (P < .01). Only 12 (33.3%) obstetricians were aware, compared to 21 (80.8%) infectious diseases specialists (P < .001). The FDA/Pfizer Inc recommendation to avoid nelfinavir mesylate (NFV) in pregnancy appears to have successfully reached HIV experts. However, not all pregnant women have access to experts and may receive most of their care from providers without extensive HIV experience. More effective dissemination of critical HIV-related information to all antenatal care providers, including general obstetricians, family physicians, and midwives, may be needed.

What Can Critical Medical Anthropology Contribute to Global Health?

Medical Anthropology QuarterlyVolume 22, Issue 4 p. 410-415 What Can Critical Medical Anthropology Contribute to Global Health? A Health Systems Perspective James Pfeiffer, James Pfeiffer for the Critical Anthropology of Global Health Special Interest GroupSearch for more papers by this authorMark Nichter, Mark Nichter for the Critical Anthropology of Global Health Special Interest GroupSearch for more papers by this author James Pfeiffer, James Pfeiffer for the Critical Anthropology of Global Health Special Interest GroupSearch for more papers by this authorMark Nichter, Mark Nichter for the Critical Anthropology of Global Health Special Interest GroupSearch for more papers by this author First published: 02 December 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1387.2008.00041.xCitations: 88Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume22, Issue4December 2008Pages 410-415 This article also appears in:AIDS and HIV RelatedInformation

Frequency and Characteristics of HIV-Associated Sensory Neuropathy Among HIV Patients in Bangkok, Thailand

Frequency and Characteristics of HIV-Associated Sensory Neuropathy Among HIV Patients in Bangkok, Thailand

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing: Reactions of Women Attending Community Health Clinics

The purpose of this study was to examine reactions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised recommendations for HIV testing by women attending community health clinics. A total of 30 women attending three community clinics completed semistructured individual interviews containing three questions about the recommendations. Thematic content analysis of responses was conducted. Results were that all agreed with the recommendation for universal testing. Most viewed opt-out screening as an acceptable approach to HIV testing. Many emphasized the importance of provision of explicit verbal informed consent. The majority strongly opposed the elimination of the requirement for pretest prevention counseling and spontaneously talked about the ongoing importance of posttest counseling. The conclusion was that there was strong support for universal testing of all persons 13 to 64 years old but scant support for the elimination of pretest prevention counseling. In general, respondents believed that verbal informed consent for testing as well as provision of HIV-related information before and after testing were crucial.

Comparing Prevalence of Condom Use Among 15,379 Female Sex Workers Injecting or Not Injecting Drugs in China

To compare the prevalence of condom use with clients and regular sex partners between female sex workers (FSWs) who were or were not injecting drug users (IDUs). Behavioral surveillance data (2002-2004) conducted in Sichuan, China were analyzed. Mapping exercises were done. About 250 to 400 FSWs were anonymously interviewed from selected establishments in 19 surveillance sites. Of all 15,379 FSWs studied, 3.2% were IDUs. This group, when compared with the non-IDU group, was less likely to have used condoms with clients (last episode: 71.1% vs. 81.2%, OR = 0.6, P < 0.01; consistent use in the last month: 26.7% vs. 40.4%, OR = 0.5, P < 0.01) or to possess a condom (68.7% vs. 77.8%, OR = 0.6, P < 0.01). The between-group difference in last month's consistent condom use with clients remained significant in the multivariate analyses, after adjusting for other significant factors [age, education level, age at first sex, having a regular sex partner, HIV-related knowledge and perceptions, HIV antibody testing (OR = 1.1-2.9, P < 0.05); STD symptoms, type of sex workers, longer duration of sex work, larger number of clients per week, and not having received HIV-related information (OR = 0.4-0.9)]. Comparable results were obtained for condom use with the last client. Such between-group differences were, however, not observed for condom use with regular sex partners (P > 0.05). Exposure to HIV-related services was associated with condom use with clients (OR = 1.3-2.8, P < 0.05). Higher sexual risk behaviors were found among FSWs who were also IDUs, when compared with those who were non-IUDs. A double-risk bridging population for HIV transmission thereby exists.

Estimation of HIV Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Testing Frequency among Sexually Active Men Who Have Sex with Men, Aged 18–64 Years—New York City, 2002

Population-based estimates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence and risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) are valuable for HIV prevention planning but not widely available, especially at the local level. We combined two population-based data sources to estimate prevalence of diagnosed HIV infection, HIV-associated risk-behaviors, and HIV testing patterns among sexually active MSM in New York City (NYC). HIV/AIDS surveillance data were used to determine the number of living males reporting a history of sex with men who had been diagnosed in NYC with HIV infection through 2002 (23% of HIV-infected males did not have HIV transmission risk information available). Sexual behavior data from a cross-sectional telephone survey were used to estimate the number of sexually active MSM in NYC in 2002. Prevalence of diagnosed HIV infection was estimated using the ratio of HIV-infected MSM to sexually active MSM. The estimated base prevalence of diagnosed HIV infection was 8.4% overall (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.5-9.6). Diagnosed HIV prevalence was highest among MSM who were non-Hispanic black (12.6%, 95% CI = 9.8-17.6), aged 35-44 (12.6%, 95% CI = 10.4-15.9), or 45-54 years (13.1%, 95% CI = 10.2-18.3), and residents of Manhattan (17.7%, 95% CI = 14.5-22.8). Overall, 37% (95% CI = 32-43%) of MSM reported using a condom at last sex, and 34% (95% CI = 28-39%) reported being tested for HIV in the past year. Estimates derived through sensitivity analyses (assigning a range of HIV-infected males with no reported risk information as MSM) yielded higher diagnosed HIV prevalence estimates (11.0-13.2%). Accounting for additional undiagnosed HIV-infected MSM yielded even higher prevalence estimates. The high prevalence of diagnosed HIV among sexually active MSM in NYC is likely due to a combination of high incidence over the course of the epidemic and prolonged survival in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Despite high HIV prevalence in this population, condom use and HIV testing are low. Combining complementary population-based data sources can provide critical HIV-related information to guide prevention efforts. Individual counseling and education interventions should focus on increasing condom use and encouraging safer sex practices among all sexually active MSM, particularly those groups with low levels of condom use and multiple sex partners.

Rapid Assessment of Existing HIV Prevention Programming in a Community Mental Health Center

SUMMARY In preparation for implementation of a comprehensive HIV prevention program in a Community Mental Health Center for persons with mental illness who are also abusing substances, a rapid assessment procedure (RAP) of existing prevention services that may have developed in the setting over time was undertaken at baseline. In addition to an ecological assessment of the availability of HIV-related information that was available on-site, in-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with Center administrators, direct-care staff, and mental health consumers. Results indicated that responses regarding available services differed depending upon type of respondent, with administration reporting greater availability of preventive programs and educational materials than did direct-care staff or mental health consumers themselves. But overall, formalized training on HIV prevention by case managers is extremely rare. Case managers felt that other providers, such as doctors or nurses, were more appropriate to deliver an HIV prevention intervention.

Informal Social Support for HIV Medical Care

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship of availability of HIV-related information and emotional support necessary to obtaining appropriate medical care. Multivariate models control for use of professional case management, mental health services, and drug treatment services. Study data were obtained from the first two rounds of interviews from the New York City Community Health Advisory and Information Network (CHAIN). Household information support and professional ancillary services were significantly associated with entry into appropriate medical care. Among participants in appropriate care at the baseline, only professional services were significantly associated with continuity of care.

Cell phones: tightening the communication gap in resource-limited antiretroviral programmes?

Cell phones: tightening the communication gap in resource-limited antiretroviral programmes?

Use of the Internet for HIV Prevention by AIDS Service Organizations in the United States

ABSTRACT Organizations that provide services to HIV-positive persons or that are dedicated to reducing HIV transmission are beginning to use information technology in their work. We surveyed 88 AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) in 42 U.S. states regarding their use of the Internet. Most ASOs allowed individuals to contact them via email and half provided computers for clients to access HIV-related information. One-third of the ASOs were conducting online HIV prevention programs. Most online programs employed an outreach model in chat rooms. American ASOs are enthusiastically forging ahead with online prevention. However, in most cases these activities would benefit from more refinement and formal evaluation.

HIV counselling and testing of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Botswana, 2001.

This study examined the extent to which women accessing antenatal-care services in Botswana were offered HIV-related information and counselling and an opportunity to take an HIV test as part of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of infection, and how these women responded. Data for this study were drawn from the Botswana AIDS Impact Survey 2001, a nationally-representative sample survey. The survey successfully interviewed over 4,494 of 4,728 eligible women on various issues relating to HIV/AIDS at both household and individual levels. Frequencies, cross tabulations, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Over half (57.9%) of the women were offered HIV/AIDS-related information, counselling, or testing. Age, education, and residence were important predictors of being offered HIV counselling or testing. Younger and more-educated women and those residing in towns were more likely to be offered both HIV counselling and testing than older, less-educated, and rural women. Seventy-nine percent of the women who were offered HIV testing agreed to undergo the test regardless of their background characteristics. The number of pregnant women who underwent HIV testing during antenatal care accounted for only a fifth (21%) of all antenatal-care attendees in 2001. Lack of capacity to deliver voluntary counselling and testing services to all pregnant women attending antenatal care is one of the biggest challenges to increased use of voluntary counselling and testing services.

Sex, Sexuality and Sickness: Discourses of Gender and HIV/AIDS among Kwazulu-Natal Women

Current HIV-prevention work indicates that simply providing HIV-related information plays a limited role in changing sexual practices, and instead stresses the need to address the social and cultural forces shaping individual behaviour. The aim of this study was thus to explore the social influences that shape women's sexual behaviour with specific attention given to discourses of gender and HIV/AIDS. Material was generated through seven focus group discussions with black women living in a peri-urban area in Durban, and was interpreted using discourse analysis. The study clarified the ways in which women are not necessarily in a position to make purely rational, individual decisions about safe sex, since these decisions are intimately linked to social constructions of sexuality and the power relations that operate in cultures. It identified specific cultural practices linked to the organisation of gender roles and how these influence safe sex practices. The analysis then examined the implications of these findings for future HIV/AIDS education interventions.

Needs assessment and social environment of people living with HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong

The present study examined the needs and perceived social environment among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Hong Kong (N = 289). Sizeable demands were expressed for medical treatment, provision of HIV-related information, financial assistance and psychological counselling. Physical health (about 38%) and social discrimination (about 24%) were the two commonly named 'most difficult aspects' of their life. In addition, over 50% felt that they were discriminated in different settings such as in the workplace and in social relationships. Social support was also often lacking among many PLWHA in Hong Kong. Nearly 80% were worried/very worried about others knowing their HIV-positive status and 16% of them did not disclose the matter to any person.

Psychosocial Correlates of HIV Risk Behavior in Adolescent Girls

To present the preintervention data collected for a pilot HIV-prevention randomized controlled trial specifically developed for single, sexually active adolescent girls. Comparative, descriptive design using confidential self-administered questionnaires. An urban family planning clinic that provided gynecologic services to adolescents. One hundred twenty-nine single, sexually active adolescent girls 15 to 19 years of age (44% minority, 34% economically disadvantaged). In addition to demographics and risk behaviors, the following were assessed: HIV-related information (i.e., knowledge) and motivation to reduce risk (i.e., perceived vulnerability, readiness to change HIV risk behaviors, behavioral intentions, pros and cons of condom use, and confidence in condom use). Assessments revealed limited HIV-related knowledge, ambivalence regarding risk reduction, and considerable risk behaviors. Compared with girls at lower risk for HIV infection (i.e., consistent condom users), those at higher risk (i.e., inconsistent or noncondom-users) were more likely to be White and older and to have better HIV-related knowledge but less motivation to reduce risk (i.e., behavioral intentions to use condoms, condom-use confidence) than girls at lower risk. These data document (a) the need for HIV prevention interventions targeted to all sexually active adolescent girls and (b) the importance of including a motivational component in the intervention.

Managing HIV at the workplace: An empirical study of HIV and HR managers in Singapore.

Drawing from previous research on individual differences, AIDS, and concerns for face, the author developed and tested a model examining the predictors (knowledge of AIDS transmission, level of homophobia, and concern for face) of AIDS fear and its organizational outcomes (perceived organizational consequences of hiring people living with HIV and attitudes toward disclosure of HIV-related information at the workplace). Data were collected using mail survey. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships among these variables for 160 human resource managers. All of the hypothesized relationships were empirically supported. Implications of the research findings for human resource practices are discussed.