Voluntary Counseling Testing Research Articles

P-468. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Patients Presenting with Advanced HIV Disease in Tertiary Hospital in Bangkok

Abstract Background Late entry to healthcare services for HIV patients leads to adverse outcomes and increased mortality particularly advanced HIV disease (AHD) who first presented with opportunistic infection (OI). However, epidemiological data on AHD among Thai patients in suburban government hospital during the Treat-All era was lacking and required to guide the healthcare strategies. This study aims to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients presenting with AHD at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Bangkok. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among newly diagnosed adult HIV patients from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2023, through electronic chart review. The WHO clinical staging 3-4 was used to define AHD. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with AHD. Results Among 372 patients, 40.32% presented with AHD, with a median CD4 cell count of 36 (IQR 13-137) cells/mm3. Most of the newly diagnosed HIV patients were single males residing in the hospital’s service area. AHD patients were predominantly aged 30-59 years (62.00%) and identified through clinical suspicious testing (88.67%) rather than voluntary counseling testing (VCT). Risk factors of AHD included ages 30-59 years (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.94 [95%CI 1.13-3.34]) and > 59 years (aOR 4.58 [95%CI 1.49-14.06]), clinical suspicious testing (aOR 11.98 [95%CI 6.61-21.71]), unprotected sex (aOR 1.74 [95%CI 1.01-2.98]), and partner seropositive (aOR 0.18 [95%CI 0.05-0.62]). One-year mortality was significantly higher in AHD who were diagnosed from 2019-2022 (20.31% V.S. 9.88%, p=0.011). The most common OIs among AHD were tuberculosis (54.00%), pneumocystis pneumonia (40.67%) and cryptococcosis (17.33%) consecutively. Conclusion Presenting with AHD was common and associated with high mortality. VCT plays a minor role in the study population. The early HIV infection detection program remains needed in all risk groups but should target heterosexual males aged > 30. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Analysis of social determinants with quality of life in people with HIV/AIDS at the voluntary counseling test clinic

Introduction: HIV and AIDS are known to have become an emergency problem around the world, where infection transmission, morbidity rates, and mortality rates are still high. The existence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the scary scourges among the community because of its unexpected transmission by HIV due to human behaviour. Objective: This study aims to analyze social determinants with quality of life in people with HIV/AIDS in the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clinic. Methods: This study is an analytical study using a cross-sectional study research design. The population in this study is all HIV/AIDS patients domiciled in Kendari City. The number of samples was 177 respondents which was determined by simple random sampling. Data analysis uses the chi-square test and the multiple logistics test. Result: The results of the study showed that there was a stigma relationship with Odhiv's quality of life at the VCT Clinic of Kendari City Hospital (p = 0.000) and there was a relationship between social support and Odhiv's quality of life at the VCT Clinic of Kendari City Hospital (p = 0.000). The variable that has the greatest influence on the quality of life of ODHIV is the social support variable with an OR of 0.353. Conclusion: The variable that has the greatest influence on the quality of life of People with HIV/AIDS (ODHIV) is social support. Social support has proven to be a very significant factor in improving the quality of life of people living with HIV. Individuals with strong social support, whether from family, friends, or the community, tend to have a better quality of life than those who receive less social support. Social support plays a role in helping people with HIV cope with stigma, reduce psychological pressure, and provide a sense of security and comfort that can have a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.

Investigation on the cognitive level of Mpox among MSM population in Shenzhen and analysis of the influencing factors in 2023

From June 16 to 30, 2023, men who have sex with men (MSM) who had visited Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) clinics in the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts of Shenzhen were included in this study to analyze their awareness of Mpox and the influencing factors. The mean age of the 262 MSM was (34.78±8.94) years, with the majority being unmarried (75.2%) and 79.0% confirmed to be infected with HIV. The awareness rates for five primary indicators, current status of Mpox, pathogen and source of infection, mode of transmission, population susceptibility, clinical manifestations and treatment were 68.4%, 84.7%, 60.3%, 87.8%, and 52.5%, respectively. The awareness rates for five secondary indicators, earliest transmission location (44.7%), main mode of transmission (54.2%), role of masks (46.9%), drug accessibility (46.6%), and self-limiting nature (38.2%) were all below 60%. The MSM population in Shenzhen perceived their likelihood of being infected (2.76±1.32) and discriminated against (3.87±1.26) as relatively low. The logistic analysis showed that the high school or vocational school education (OR:3.094, 95%CI:1.180-9.299), college or above education (OR:5.360, 95%CI:2.159-15.501), and higher scores on questions affecting learning or work (OR:2.196, 95%CI:1.409-3.599) were promoting factors for Mpox awareness, while higher scores on questions concerning the possibility of Mpox mortality (OR:0.591, 95%CI:0.432-0.791) was the hindering factor for Mpox awareness.

Determination of knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary counseling testing on HIV among youths from Tepi Town, Ethiopia.

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is an integral component of HIV prevention and care strategies worldwide. VCT is considered as an effective strategy in risk reduction among sexually active youth. There is a high burden of HIV in Ethiopia despite a considerable scale up of comprehensive HIV interventions. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of VCT uptake towards HIV among youth of rural part of Tepi town, Ethiopia. A cross sectional study was carried out from May to August 2020. Total numbers of 127 youths in the age group of 15-24 years were recruited in a self-administered questionnaire with 100% response rate. Descriptive analysis was referred to describe the data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to measure the effect of different variables by computing odds ratio. Multivariable analyses were utilized to determine the relative effect of explanatory variables. The study showed that out of 127 total youth respondents, 111 (87.4%) of the respondents have good knowledge and 99 (78%) had a positive attitude towards VCT. Whereas, 86 (67.7%) of the respondents are aware of practicing VCT on HIV in the past. The findings revel that gender and father's educational status were among the socio-demographic variables that showed statistically significant association with one or more variables affecting youths' knowledge towards VCT uptake. As such, perceived risk of HIV infection, educational level, gender and marital status were statistically responsible for VCT uptake.

The Relationship between Plasma Glutamate Levels and Sleep Quality in HIV Patients

Background: Disturbance sleep quality is often found in sufferers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Disturbed sleep quality can affect immunity, which ultimately can increase patient morbidity and mortality. Impaired sleep quality in HIV sufferers is related to neurotoxicity due to the HIV virus, which damages sleep architecture. HIV infection can cause an increase in brain extracellular glutamate. Elevated glutamate plays a role in neuronal and glial damage and death. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma glutamate levels and sleep quality in HIV sufferers.
 Methods: The research uses a cross-sectional design. The samples were HIV sufferers in a polyclinic voluntary counseling test (VCT) internal medicine of Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital Padang, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples are selected by consecutive methods. Sleep quality was assessed using a questionnaire called the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Plasma glutamate levels were measured using the ELISA method. Statistical analysis using SPSS with a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 Results: The research sample consisted of 82 people. The median plasma glutamate level was 16.39 µg/mL. Impaired sleep quality was found in 45 (54.9%) HIV sufferers. There was no significant relationship between plasma glutamate levels (p= 0.506), age (p=0.795), gender (p=0.547), education (p=0.358), occupation (p=0.255), disease duration (p=0.348), stage (p=0.309) and type of ARV therapy (p=0.791) with sleep quality in HIV sufferers. From this research, a significant relationship was found between sleep quality, body mass index (BMI) (p= 0.015), and marital status (p= 0.039).
 Conclusion: There is no relationship between plasma glutamate levels and sleep quality in HIV sufferers. There are other factors that influence sleep quality, namely BMI and marital status.

Whole-genome sequencing analysis of Klebsiella aerogenes among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou, China.

Klebsiella aerogenes is a common infectious bacterium that poses a threat to human health. Nevertheless, there are limited data on the population structure, genetic diversity, and pathogenicity of K. aerogenes, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study aimed to clarify the sequence types (STs), clonal complexes (CCs), resistance genes, and virulence factors of popular strains. Multilocus sequence typing was used to describe the population structure of K. aerogenes. The Virulence Factor Database and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database were used to assess the virulence and resistance profiles. In this study, next-generation sequencing was performed on nasal swabs specimens collected in an HIV Voluntary Counseling Testing outpatient department in Guangzhou, China, from April to August 2019. The identification results showed that a total of 258 K. aerogenes isolates were collected from 911 participants. We found that the isolates were most resistant to furantoin (89.53%, 231/258) and ampicillin (89.15%, 230/258), followed by imipenem (24.81%, 64/258) and cefotaxime (18.22%, 47/258). The most common STs in carbapenem-resistant K. aerogenes were ST4, ST93, and ST14. The population has at least 14 CCs, including several novel ones identified in this study (CC11-CC16). The main mechanism of drug resistance genes was antibiotic efflux. Based on the presence of the iron carrier production genes irp and ybt, we identified two clusters according to virulence profiles. In cluster A, CC3 and CC4 carry the clb operator encoding the toxin. Increased monitoring is needed for the three main ST type strains carried by MSM. The main clone group CC4 has a large number of toxin genes, and it spreads among MSM. Caution is needed to prevent further spread of this clone group in this population. In sum, our results may provide a foundation for the development of new therapeutic and surveillance strategies for treating MSM.

Nurse educators' experiences of providing education to patients and families

Nurse educators' experiences of providing education to patients and families

The effect of HIV protease gene mutations to protease inhibitor drugs resistance in Papua patients: In silico analysis

The use of phenotypic assay requires laborious work to culture HIV isolates to observe the phenotypic change of the virus in the presence of antiretroviral drugs. The genotypic approach may rely on the secondary data of documented mutations that are responsible for phenotypic alterations to antiretroviral-resistant HIV. HIV genomes were extracted from patients’ plasma, which was subsequently subjected to RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. The obtained HIV genome sequencing data were analyzed for mutation detection. Three-dimensional (3D) structures of mutant HIV protease were constructed using FoldX software. The binding affinity of the mutant HIV protease with protease inhibitor drugs (Saquinavir, Ritonavir, Nelfinavir, Indinavir, and Lopinavir) was analyzed using AutoDock Vina. There were 90 patients involved in this study. The patients attended the Voluntary Counseling Test (VCT) of Mitra Masyarakat Hospital in Mimika, Papua, Indonesia. Among recruited subjects, the HIV genomes corresponding to the protease-encoded gene of 30 patients were successfully sequenced. There was only one patient (RSMM_70) infected with HIV harboring minor mutations (L10V, I15V, M36I, and R41K) in the protease-encoded gene that was not a new finding mutation. The 3D structure showed that the hydrophobicity and stability of mutant HIV protease were different from the wild genotype. Docking analysis showed decreasing binding affinity of the mutant HIV protease to the protease inhibitor drugs, which may lead to the alteration of inhibitory effectiveness. In silico docking, the analysis may provide an alternative approach to predict the effect of minor mutations in the HIV protease gene on the effectiveness of protease inhibitor drugs.

Factors Associated With Participation of Pregnant Women In Examination VCT (Voluntary Counseling And Testing)

HIV/AIDS has become a big scary enemy in Indonesia. The incidence of HIV/AIDS in pregnant women also makes it difficult to achieve the 2015-2019 National Medium Term Development Plan targets in the health sector at 3 points at once, namely maternal mortality, infant mortality and the prevalence of HIV cases. The Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) strategy is the core of all efforts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the world. The aim to Factors Associated With Participation of Pregnant Women In Examination VCT. The research design is an analytic method with a cross sectional study approach. The population in this study were all pregnant women who had Antenatal Care. The sampling technique used in this study is to use total sampling technique. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate analysis with the chi square statistical test. The result in this study there were 10.0% pregnant women who did not perform VCT examinations, 70% pregnant women who had good knowledge, 80% pregnant women who received support from their husbands, 82.5% pregnant women who get the role of health workers in a good category, 30% pregnant women who have a long distance from the place of health services. There is a significant relationship between knowledge (0.001), attitude (0.000), husband's support (0.000), the role of officers ((0.001) and the distance to HIV VCT examination in pregnant women. The conclusion is that many pregnant women are aware of the importance of the VCT test which can be seen in the number of pregnant women who have done the test.

HUBUNGAN MUTU PELAYANAN VCT DENGAN KEPUASAN PASIEN DI PUSKESMAS SIDOMULYO KOTA PEKANBARU

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is a process of voluntary counseling and HIV testing on the initiative of the individual concerned. VCT as the main step taken in several Puskesmas in Pekanbaru on prevention, care, support and treatment services. This study aims to determine the relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City. This study used a descriptive correlation research design with a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study were 67 respondents using total sampling technique. The data collection tool used was a questionnaire. Analysis of the data used were univariate and bivariate analysis (chi square). Majority of respondents feel that the quality of service is good, which was 37 people (55,2%) and the level of satisfaction of patients who feel satisfied was 35 people (52,2%). The results of the chi square test showed that there was a relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City with p value (0.000) < alpha (0,05). There is a relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City.

A moderated serial mediation analysis of the association between HIV stigma and sleep quality in people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study.

With the wide use of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV (PLWH), the mortality and morbidity rates among this community are dramatically decreasing. However, sleep disorder is still one of the prominent health issues among PLWH, and it lowers their quality of life. Although we already know the potential biological pathway that links poor sleep quality among PLWH, the potential contribution of the psychosocial pathway (e.g., stigma) is far from understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential serial mediating effects (HIV stigma-loneliness-depression-sleep quality) and potential moderating effects of perceived social support. We recruited a consecutive sample of 139 participants from voluntary counseling testing (VCT) clinics of Beijing Youan Hospital and participant referrals. Then, we used serial mediation models and moderated serial mediation models to fit our data. We found significant serial mediation effects between three types of HIV stigma (enacted, anticipated, and internalized) and sleep quality via depression and loneliness. Perceived social support also significantly moderated this serial mediation between enacted stigma, internalized stigma, and sleep quality. Our results highlight the potential role of perceived social support in moderating the negative effects of enacted and internalized stigma on sleep quality and identify potential psychosocial pathways.

Perception of the Quality of Life amidst HIV/Aids Positive Individuals in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Lahore

Background: The Quality of life (QOL) as defined by WHO is that individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. The intimacy about illness depends upon whether an individual relates and perceives that he or she has a good life, which would be worthwhile to review in relation to QOL. Aim: To determine the perception of QOL of people affected with HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was an exploratory research conducted by non-probability convenient sampling of 139 HIV/AIDS positive and registered cases at the Voluntary Counseling Testing Centers (VCT center’s) at Services and Jinnah hospitals, Lahore, in 6 months in 2019. The WHOQOL BREF Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data compilation and analysis was done through SPSS software. The interviews were taken with informed consent by the investigator. Results: In 139 cases of HIV/AIDS positive registered individuals mean age was 32.12±8.54, with 78.4% males and 21.6% females. Regarding their perception of current illness (intake of medicine other than HIV), only 19.4% claimed that they were ill. However when asked about their perception about self-health as many as 85.6% claimed that they were suffering from some illness. The remaining did not perceive their problem as illness. The response of the study participants towards their perception of quality of life (QOL) was considered to be good/ very good (33.1%) and poor/ very poor (53.9%). Whereas 12.9% thought it was neither poor nor good. The current illness and quality of life scores were not statistically significant in all domains, except social relationship domain. Conclusion: The perception of QOL of HIV/AIDS person needs to be explored, especially in Pakistan. It is necessary to determine and address all the associated aspects which affect the QOL of HIV/AIDS patients.. Keywords: Perception, Quality of life, HIV/AIDS positive individuals, Tertiary Care Hospitals, Lahore

Assessment of the Quality of Life of HIV Positive Individuals in Tertiary Care Hospitals using Whoqol-Bref Questionnaire

Background: Harmonious balance in health depends upon the quality of life (QOL). QOL is the condition of life resulting from the combination of the effects of the complete range of factors such as those determining health, happiness, education, social and intellectual attainments, freedom of action, justice and freedom of expression. Aim: To assess the QOL of people affected with HIV/AIDS, which is pertinent in countries like Pakistan, as it is on the rise and one of the leading causes of stigmatization in our society as far as disease is concerned. Methods: This exploratory study by non-probability, convenient sampling was conducted on 139 selected HIV/AIDS positive and registered cases at the Voluntary Counseling Testing Centers (VCT centers) at Services and Jinnah hospitals Lahore, within 6 months in 2019. Data was collected using WHOQOL BREF Questionnaire. The SPSS software was used for data compilation and analysis. The investigator herself took the interviews, after an informed consent. Results: A total of 139cases of HIV/AIDS positive registered individuals were taken. The mean age was 32.12 ± 8.54, with 78.4% males and 21.6% females. Quality of life (QOL) tables with domains were calculated; in the WHOQOL-BREF; higher score in the domains refers to good QOL. Results of the study depicted that the highest mean score was in Social relationships domain (64.75± 16.89) and lowest mean score in quality of life & general health (41.37± 30.28). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated the dire need to explore the QOL in HIV/AIDS patients in Pakistan. There is an urge for measures to be taken, in regards to enhance the QOL. These results conclude that it is imperative to conduct health and vocational education, counseling sessions to augment awareness of the masses regarding QOL. Keywords: Quality of life, HIV/AIDS cases, Lahore, Voluntary Counseling Testing Centers, People Living with HIV/AID’s

Quantification of Oral Candidal Carriage Rate and Prevalence of Oral Candidal Species in HIV Patients with and Without Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background:Most documents review decrease in the prevalence of HIV related oral lesions to the tune of 10-50% following the advent of HAART. However long term use of HAART on oral health status of HIV infected subjects is poorly documented. Also antifungal agents can effectively treat mucosal candidiasis. However their use can lead to colonization with less susceptible strains among normal susceptible strains.Aims and Objectives:To know the candidal carriage rate (i.e. presence/absence of candidal growth), candidal density(CFUs/ml) & species variations (species diversity) in HIV positive individuals with and without highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), attending the regional voluntary Counselling and Confidential Testing Centre (VCCTC).Materials and Methods:The study population were categorized into 3 groups. Method followed were Germ tube test, Chlamydospore formation test, CHROM-Agar test.Results:Quantification comparison study of candidal carriage rate, density with detection of various candidal species in the oral cavity of HIV-positive individuals with and without HAART therapy was conducted.Conclusion:HIV positive individuals with HAART therapy treatment prooved higher candidal carriage rate and lower density than Non-HAART category.

The Utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Through Support and Family Health Care Functions

Background: The transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from mother to baby is now increasing along with the growing number of HIV-infected women. Approximately 15% of pregnant women living with HIV have accessed antiretroviral (ARV) medicine to prevent transmission of the virus to their babies. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the support and healthcare functions available to pregnant women in using the voluntary counseling test (VCT). Methods: This research was conducted in the working area of Gianyar District health center. The independent variables in this study are family support and family healthcare functions. The dependent variable is the utilization of VCT health service facilities. This study employed a cross-sectional research design. The samples were 108 respondents recruited using a probability sampling technique, namely multi-stage sampling. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted using the chi-square test and logistic regression test. Results: The research variable related to the use of VCT health services with family support showed an odds ratio (OR) = 122, while family healthcare function had an OR = 465. Conclusion: Pregnant women with good family support, good healthcare function, increased maternal age, and early gestational age were more likely to use VCT than when they were in opposite situations.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorder and Associated Factors among Voluntary Counseling and HIV Testing Clients at Governmental Health Centers in 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Objective: More than 450 million people are considered to be suffered from mental problem in the world nowadays. In Ethiopia, these problems constitute for 12.45% of the impact of diseases and around 12% of individuals are estimated to be develop any form of mental problems, of which 2% are severe cases. One of the most psychiatric problem that cause substantial functional impairment and suffering is anxiety disorders.To assess the prevalence of anxiety disorder and associated factors among voluntary counseling and HIV testing (VCT) clients of Addis Ababa governmental health centers, Ethiopia, 2017. Method : An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at Addis Ababa governmental health centers from February 15 to March 10, 2017. A Cluster sampling technique was used and 770 study participants were interviewed. Data were entered into EPI INFO version 2002 and transferred to SPSS version 19.0 windows and was analyzed. The logistic regression of analyses was used. Results: The prevalence of anxiety disorder among VCT clients was 39.2%. Factors that statistically significant with an anxiety disorder: fear of stigma or social discrimination (AOR = 3.01, 95%CI: 1.67, 5.42), history of haven’t been tested before for HIV (AOR = 3.97, 95%CI: 2.32, 6.81), and fear of having a positive result (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.55, 4.36); the burden of family size was marginally significant at 0.05 level of significance (P = 0.075). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety problems among voluntary counseling and HIV testing clients of Addis Ababa governmental health centers was high. Fear of stigma, fear of having a positive result, and no history of a test before were the most factors associated with anxiety disorders. I recommended that increasing awareness in reducing stigma/discrimination, appropriate psychiatry counseling for individuals and community at the health center, and Addis Ababa Health Bureau should be arranged.

Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV in the dental setting: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of oral health care workers in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal

Oral health care workers are frequently at the forefront in recognizing oral manifestations of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and can therefore play a key role in screening and early detection of HIV in dental patients. This study assessed oral health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and possible practices in Voluntary Counselling and rapid HIV testing (VCT) in the dental workplace in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal so as to determine their understanding and support for these services. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to oral health workers located in private and public dental settings in eThekwini district. One hundred (n=100) completed questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a response rate of 83%. The majority of participants (82%) reported that HIV testing and counselling did not occur in their workplace. Participants (87%) also indicated to have not been trained to perform HIV testing. Sixty-six participants (66%) reported willingness to implement HIV testing in their respective dental workplace. Less than half of the study population (41%) were “unsure” regarding the accuracy of rapid HIV testing. Participants reported inadequate knowledge and practice of VCT. Participants had positive attitudes towards VCT implementation in the dental setting, provided that adequate training and support was available from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Health. Rapid HIV testing, dental workplace, oral health care workers.

Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV in the dental setting: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of oral health care workers in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal

Oral health care workers are frequently at the forefront in recognizing oral manifestations of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and can therefore play a key role in screening and early detection of HIV in dental patients. This study assessed oral health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and possible practices in Voluntary Counselling and rapid HIV testing (VCT) in the dental workplace in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal so as to determine their understanding and support for these services. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to oral health workers located in private and public dental settings in eThekwini district. One hundred (n=100) completed questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a response rate of 83%. The majority of participants (82%) reported that HIV testing and counselling did not occur in their workplace. Participants (87%) also indicated to have not been trained to perform HIV testing. Sixty-six participants (66%) reported willingness to implement HIV testing in their respective dental workplace. Less than half of the study population (41%) were “unsure” regarding the accuracy of rapid HIV testing. Participants reported inadequate knowledge and practice of VCT. Participants had positive attitudes towards VCT implementation in the dental setting, provided that adequate training and support was available from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Health. Rapid HIV testing, dental workplace, oral health care workers.

Self-report of domestic violence and forced sex are related to sexual risk behaviors in a sample of juvenile detainees

BackgroundJustice-involved youth have higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and a higher prevalence of the associated sexual risk behaviors. Sexual risk behaviors are also associated with alcohol and drug use. Research suggests that a history of trauma is an important predictor of alcohol and drug use in youth offenders, and therefore is a likely contributor to sexual risk behavior in this population. The objective of this analysis is to determine the association of trauma, specifically, domestic violence and forced sex, to six sexual risk behaviors and a history of chlamydia among detained youth.MethodsThe analysis uses data from a convenience sample of detainees assenting to HIV testing conducted December 2016 – August 2017 using the state-certified Voluntary Counseling Testing and Referral (VCTR) process.ResultsOf the 379 youth that received VCTR at the facility, 308 (81.3%) were used in this analysis. Report of domestic violence was significantly associated with sex under the influence of alcohol and was also significantly associated with sex under the influence of marijuana. Forced sex was associated with a sexual partner of unknown HIV status.ConclusionsTraumatic experiences were related to sexual risk behaviors in this analysis, and substance use was strongly implicated in the association. Trauma is known to be a catalyst to sexual risk behaviors, substance use, and delinquency in adolescence. Results support the findings of other investigators and re-iterate the need for trauma-informed interventions that can improve the life trajectories of detained youth.

HIV testing of housewives with HIV in Lampung, Indonesia: A qualitative study

This study aimed to explore the experiences of housewives with HIV in Lampung, Indonesia, while undergoing HIV testing. It used a phenomenological approach and purposive sampling as the participant selection technique. In total, 16 housewives with HIV were interviewed at the Voluntary Counseling Test (VCT) Clinic in Lampung, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Our findings suggest that specific education on HIV and the importance of testing for it should be provided to housewives, who are often perceived as a group at low risk of contracting HIV. This will ultimately contribute to their awareness regarding undergoing HIV testing on their own. In addition, enhanced counseling services must be offered by healthcare facilities in order to motivate housewives to undergo HIV testing, reduce HIV stigma, and empower their roles as mothers.