The epidemiology of HIV infection in Zambia

Population surveys of health and fertility are an important source of information about demographic trends and their likely impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In contrast to groups sampled at health facilities they can provide nationally and regionally representative estimates of a range of variables. Data on HIV sero-status were collected in the 2001-2 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) and made available in a separate data file in which HIV status was linked to a very limited set of demographic variables. We utilized this data set to examine associations between HIV prevalence, gender, age and geographical location. We apply the generalized geo-additive semi-parametric model as an alternative to the common linear model, in the context of analyzing the prevalence of HIV infection. This model enables us to account for spatial auto-correlation, non-linear, location effects on the prevalence of HIV infection at the disaggregated provincial level (9 provinces) and assess temporal and geographical variation in the prevalence of HIV infection, while simultaneously controlling for important risk factors. 54 % of the overall sample of 3950 was female. The overall HIV positivity rate was 565 (14.3%). The mean age at HIV diagnosis for male was 30.3 (SD: 11.2) and 27.7 (SD: 9.3) for female respectively. Lusaka and Copperbelt have the first and second highest prevalence of AIDS/HIV (marginal odds ratios of 3.24 and 2.88 respectively) but when the younger age of the urban population and the spatial auto-correlation was taken into account Lusaka and Copper belt were no longer among the areas with the highest prevalence. Nonlinear effects of age at HIV diagnosis were also discussed and the importance of spatial residual effects and control of confounders on the prevalence of HIV infection. The study was conducted to assess the spatia pattern and the effect of confounding risk factors on AIDS/HIV prevalence and to develop a means of adjusting estimates of AIDS/HIV prevalence on the important risk factors. Controlling for important risk factors such as geographical location (spatial auto-correlation), age structure of the population, gender gave estimates of prevalence that are statistically robust. Researchers should be encouraged to use all available information in the data to account for important risk factors when reporting AIDS/HIV prevalence. Where this is not possible, correction factors should be applied, particularly where estimates of AIDS/HIV prevalence are pooled in systematic reviews. Our maps can be used for policy planning and management of AIDS/HIV in Zambia

Diagnosis and Management of Blastocystis Hominis Infection in Patient with HIV-AIDS

The incidence of AIDS/HIV infection has been increasing worldwide. Patients with AIDS/HIV infection is at high risk to get opportunistic infection which is often become life-threatening. Common infections associated with AIDS/HIV are tuberculosis (TB) infection and viral hepatitis. Commensal organism found in human body is actually not pathogenic. Blastocystis hominis is generally considered as commensal organism of intestinal tract and might cause opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. We reported a case of young male patient with AIDS/HIV infection and evidence of opportunistic infection of Blastocystis hominis found in ascitic fluid along with concomitant lung TB and viral hepatitis. Patient was well-responded to treatment of B. Hominis

Algorithms for purchasing AIDS vaccines

The authors delineate two different algorithms for the purchase of AIDS vaccines, to show how differences in policy objectives can greatly affect projections of the number of courses of vaccine that will be needed. They consider a hypothetical vaccine costing ten dollars to produce, and offering sixty percent, seventy five percent, and ninety percent reductions in the risk of HIV for ten years. For each of the world's ten major geographic divisions, they sue published estimates of the risk of AIDS, the value of medical costs averted, and the value of potential productivity losses. Under the"health sector"algorithm - in which purchases are made to minimize the impact of AIDS/HIV on government health spending - 766 million courses of vaccine would be purchased. Under the"societal"algorithm - in which purchases are made to minimize the impact of AIDS/HIV on health spending and GDP - more than 3.7 billion courses of vaccine would be purchased. Under an"equity"model - allocating vaccines to everyone in the world at high risk, as if they had the financial resources of Western Europeans - vaccine would be offered to 4.7 billion people. For a Western European man, reducing the risk of AIDS/HIV would be a $789 concern; in Africa,the comparable risk would be a$48,577 crisis. The authors conclude that financing AIDS vaccines solely on the fixed budget of a ministry of health, means large vulnerable populations wouldn't receive the vaccine. Allocating the vaccine based on society's ability to pay would still exclude many poor infants who would probably be immunized if they were born in more developed regions. Policymakers concerned about equity in health care must redouble efforts to making the financing of development, and distribution of AIDS vaccines, a global, not a regional concern.Disease Control&Prevention,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Early Child and Children's Health,HIV AIDS,HIV AIDS,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Health Economics&Finance,Adolescent Health,Environmental Economics&Policies

Adolescents in foster care: their knowledge about AIDS/HIV and its impact on their sexual and drug practices, 1989

The overall objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of adolescents in foster care in relation to AIDS/HIV and to determine if their knowledge impacted on their sexual and drug practices. The researcher examined the following factors that influence adolescent high risk behaviors: (a) parents, (b) peers, (c) school, (d) religion, and (e) the media. A cross - sectional research design was used. A self - administered questionnaire was given to foster care adolescents who reside in group homes in Metropolitan Atlanta. Two hypotheses were tested. (1) There was no relationship between the adolescents' knowledge about AIDS/HIV and their sexual practices, and (2) There was no relationship between the adolescents' knowledge about AIDS/HIV and their drug practices. Both hypotheses were rejected. The results of the study indicated a significant relationship between the adolescents' knowledge of AIDS/HIV and their sexual practices and the adolescents' knowledge of AIDS/HIV and their drug practices

Superman and Wonder Woman: French Champions for HIV/AIDS Prevention of Failed AIDS Campaign?

In 2004, the French government sponsored an AIDS/HIV prevention campaign; AIDES.ORG using photos of AIDS infected Superman and Wonder Woman to persuade adolescents to adopt preventative behaviors. This article asserts campaign organizers cancelled the campaign because it failed to provide audience efficacy and incorrectly manipulated fear in its campaign messages. Moreover, this article compares the AIDES.ORG campaign to other AIDS/HIV campaigns and argues effective health communication campaigns must provide efficacy to facilitate adoption of desired preventative behaviors. The Social Norms Approach is offered as an alternative method for developing effective health communication campaigns

Glare of the Diamond; Botswana Why AIDS Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives are not successful

The research aim in this paper is to outline, detail and come to a deeper understanding as to why AIDS/HIV corporate social responsibility CSR initiatives have not been truly successful in the Central District of Botswana. I will focus on the following aspects in the analysis; history, stigma, gender and traditional values, and the corporate refocus on the blood diamond movement. Botswana is a mineral rich country, and in my scope of research I look to the mining corporations that have mines in the Central district of Botswana. De Beers, Debswana are the two larger mining corporations that I draw up in my paper, but the Tati Nickel Mine and the Soda Ash Botswana mine are also mentioned within this paper due to their location, and their parallel history and social structures to De Beers and Debswana. De Beers, like many other global corporations, has had to stand up and face their involvement with the spread and continual spread of AIDS/HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, in Botswana De Beers face many other issues that limit or side-track them on how much public ‘push’ and power they can do when they initiate corporate social responsibility CSR program(s) at their mines. To understand how Botswana and its’ relationship with De Beers [and other mining corporations] and the development of AIDS/HIV, a historical review is needed, for one has to understand how the social structures of mines, mining communities and out laying towns have been created under this ‘mining’ social structure. The second important issue in understanding CSR and how limited it is, in regards to De Beers, Debswana and other mining corporations, in Botswana is the high level of social issues such as stigmatization, traditional and gender issues/values that AIDS/HIV individuals, and government bodies have to deal with. The third and present issue that limits how De Beers deals with AIDS/HIV and their CSR response to SI (survival international) campaign to end the trade in Blood Diamonds, and with new mining exploration into the Gope area of the Kalaharia desert De Beers has redirected their CSR attention to something they can change and re-solve now

Plague Desires: A Re-Reading of HIV/AIDS Politics in Contemporary Gay Pornography

This project will study the methods by which contemporary gay pornography has confronted and attempted to radically reconfigure the narratives, politics, and erotics of AIDS/HIV. Focusing especially on the film Viral Loads by Treasure Island Media and the controversy that surrounded its release, characterized by articles on the film from VICE and Salon, this project will argue for the ability of the film to produce a re-reading of major stigma against viral bodies and the condition of sickness within eroticism through the form of pornography and erotic spectatorship. This project will argue that the hyper-exposition of the viral gay male body in sexuality offers a healing mechanism against the fear, marginalization, and pathologization that come with stigma towards AIDS/HIV

J AIDS HIV Treat

We evaluated health workers' perspectives on the implementation of the 2016 HIV "Test and Treat" guidelines in Nigeria. Using semi-structured interviews, qualitative data was collected from twenty health workers meeting inclusion criteria in six study sites. Data exploration was conducted using thematic content analysis. Participants perceived that the "Test and Treat" guidelines improved care for PLHIV, though they also perceived possible congested clinics. Perceived key factors enabling guidelines use were perceived patient benefits, availability of policy document and trainings. Perceived key barriers to guidelines use were poverty among patients, inadequate human resources and stock-outs of HIV testing kits. Further improvements in uptake of guidelines could be achieved by effecting an efficient supply chain system for HIV testing kits, and improved guidelines distribution and capacity building prior to implementation. Additionally, implementing differentiated approaches that decongest clinics, and programs that economically empower patients, could improve guidelines use, as Nigeria scales "Test and Treat" nationwide.20192020-04-23T00:00:00ZU2G GH000656/GH/CGH CDC HHS/United States32328591PMC7179071760

UA12/2/1 All Creatures Great & Small

Special magazine edition of the College Heights Herald: Hadley, Kim. Each Day is Something Extra – Reg Laswell, AIDS, HIV Baldwin, Paul. You Have to Love Animals to Work Here – Bowling Green/Warren County Animal Shelte