One and a half years into the COVID-19 pandemic - exit strategies and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for holistic management and achieving global control

One and a half years into the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 is still here to stay. Whilst rapid several effective COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and are being rolled out, the critical questions remain whether vaccines provide widespread protection against infection and reinfection, and what the duration of protection is. Community wide control cannot be obtained until almost everyone is immune. Vaccine production must be ramped up to cover the world population. The price of herd immunity through natural infection is high mortality in the elderly and morbidity in other age groups including children and Long-COVID. We must expect a new wave in the coming winter. The severity will depend on the proportion of the population with immunity from natural infections or immunisation. Therefore, control rests on a population wide immunisation including children, which may or may not need to be repeated if new SARS-CoV-2 variants evolve that can escape immunity from either previous infections or immunisations. Preventing long term sequelae of COVID-19 also remains a priority

The effect of psychodrama on people living with HIV/AIDS

Aim: To help people living with HIV/AIDS gain better insight, overcome the intensity of negative feelings, better cope with problems and prejudices; and to evaluate the efficacy of psychodrama in increasing the quality of life.Methods: The study included seven people living with HIV/AIDS. To evaluate the efficacy of psychodrama, focus group interviews were carried out and the SF-36 scale was used. Focus group interviews were evaluated using the descriptive analysis method, Wilcoxon test was used for the comparison of the means of scores, and effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d.Results: The results showed that the participants had become more courageous in declaring their diagnoses, communicating more openly and effectively, having a better acceptance about the diagnosis. The results also showed a decrease in the symptoms of depression and the fear of death. The increase in the SF-36 scale was statistically significant only in mental health.Conclusions: The participants showed a significant improvement in the following: insight and awareness, skills of coping with difficulties, and relationships. The improvement in the life quality of participants suggests that psychodrama has a positive effect. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Birth Control and Pregnancy Management Among Women Living with HIV

Objective: This study aimed to determine the birth control methods preferred by women living with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) followed by our clinic and to review their pregnancy management strategies. Methods: The medical records of HIV-infected women followed by our clinic between 1999 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The following parameters were recorded from medical files: Demographic characteristics, birth control methods used and the duration of usage, conception methods in those who became pregnant after being infected with HIV, whether the pregnancy was planned or not, the antiretroviral treatments used before pregnancy and whether treatment was modified during pregnancy, HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts before delivery, type of delivery, prophylaxis given to the baby and the mother and its duration, and HIV serological status of the babies. Results: Out of 80 women actively followed by our clinic, 75 (93.7%) with available data were included in the study. The mean age of the cases was 43.5 +/-11.4 (min=18-max=68). The number of cases using any birth control method was 51 (68%). The most common contraceptive method was a condom used by their partners (n=31, 60.7%). Thir-ty-six pregnancies developed in 25/60 (41.6%) sexually active cases not in the menopausal period and 33 babies were born. One baby was infected with HIV. Conclusion: Contraception methods in sexually active HIV-infected women should be chosen upon discussion between the healthcare provider and the patient. Close monitoring and standard care during pregnancy are critical for the long-term prognosis of both the mother and the baby. © 2023, DOC Design and Informatics Co. Ltd.. All rights reserved

Missed opportunities in HIV diagnosis: preliminary results

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