Symptom Exacerbation and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy During the Menstrual Cycle: A Pilot Study

Our objective is to investigate the relationship between drug and menstrual cycle symptoms in HIV+ women receiving antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Interviews were done for 12 weeks with 54 HIV+ women receiving HAART. Patients were asked if they experienced any of 28 symptoms associated with HAART and the menstrual cycle and about HAART adherence. Weeks were divided into menstrual weeks (MWs), premenstrual weeks (PWs), and other weeks. Women reported more bloating (P = .02) and cramps (P = .001) during MWs. Skin problems (P = .08) and breast tenderness (P = .03) were experienced during PWs. Feeling tired/loss of energy (P = .05), joint pain (P = .02), and chills (P = .03) were higher in non-MW/PWs. Women were slightly less adherent during the MWs (89%) than PWs (94%) and other weeks (93%). Feeling sad or depressed (P = .01) was associated with nonadherence. Experiencing certain symptoms associated with both the menstrual cycle and HAART drugs was related with nonadherence

Antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus-containing cutaneous abscesses of patients with HIV

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to document the resistance patterns found in exudates from cutaneous abscesses of HIV-infected persons. BASIC PROCEDURES: Patient records were reviewed on 93 culture and sensitivity tests performed on exudates taken from incised and drained abscesses of HIV-infected persons. MAIN FINDINGS: Of the specimens, 84.6% were Staphylococcus aureus. Of these, 93.5% were penicillin resistant, 87% oxacillin resistant, 84.4% cephazolin resistant, 84.4% erythromycin resistant, 52.2% ciprofloxacin resistant, and 15.6% tetracycline resistant. Fifty-eight specimens were tested for clindamycin with 29.3% found resistant; 85.7% were methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) (defined as resistant to both penicillin G and oxacillin). All specimens were resistant to multiple antibiotics including antimicrobials that might be considered for use in MRSA. No specimens were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, or vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS: Empiric antimicrobial therapy of HIV-infected persons with cutaneous abscesses must be tailored to the high frequency of antimicrobial drug resistance including MRSA in this population

Accuracy of the Omron HBF-500 Body Composition Monitor

The Omron HBF-500 is a relatively new and inexpensive body composition monitor that incorporates both hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot electrical impedance technology. At this time, the authors are not aware of any studies examining the accuracy of this monitor. PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of the Omron HBF-500 body composition monitor using the BOD POD as a criterion. METHODS: Sixteen men and 23 women signed an informed consent and participated in the study (22.7±3.7 years, 168.8±9.1 cm, 73.8±17.8 kg, 25.7±5.6 kg.m-2). Participants were asked to refrain from exercise and caffeine on the day of testing, and were asked not eat a heavy meal three hours prior and to remain normally hydrated. Participants removed all jewelry and garments down to tight fitting clothing (swim suits or running tights) and were assessed on the BOD POD and Omron according to manufacturer’s guidelines. RESULTS: The Omron HBF-500 significantly overestimated percent body fat (%BF) by 3.5% compared to the BOD POD (31.7±9.6% and 28.6±9.6%, respectively), t(38) = -6.05, p = 0.001. The Omron HBF-500 also measured weight significantly higher than the BODPOD (74.4±17.7kg and 73.8±17.8kg, respectively), t(38) = -11.2, p = 0.001. Finally, the Omron HBF-500 was significantly correlated with the BOD POD when assessing body fat, r = .93. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be taken when using the Omron HBF-500 as a measure of body fat. Those who choose to use this instrument should be aware the 3.5% higher reading compared to the BOD POD

Agreement of Health Status Classification and Body Composition Differences in Asian Indian Students upon Residence in the United States

Obesity is one of the major health problems in the United States (U.S.). As Asian Indian students immigrate to the U.S., the effect of acculturation to the U.S. lifestyle is an area of concern. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) examine the health-risk status of Asian Indians with respect to agreement in classifications of percent body fat (PF) and body mass index (BMI), and 2) examine the effects of U.S. residence duration on body composition of Asian Indian college students. METHODS: Forty-two Asian Indian males and females were divided into two groups according to length of residence. First year residents resided in the U.S. for ≤ 4 months, second year residents had resided in the U.S. for ≥ 1 year. Height and weight were recorded for BMI. PF was measured by whole body air displacement plethysmography. Percent agreement was determined between the health risk classifications of both BMI and PF. The effect of gender and U.S. residence duration were determined on both BMI and PF using Factorial ANOVA. RESULTS: The percent agreement between BMI and PF on classification of health status was 69.05%. Two exclusive 2 (gender) x 2 (residence duration) between subjects factorial ANOVAs were calculated comparing the BMI and PF by group and gender. For BMI, the main effect for gender was not significant (F(1,38)=0.023, p\u3e0.025). A significant effect for U.S. residence duration was found (F(1,38)=20.193, p\u3c0.025). Students of the second year demonstrated a higher mean BMI (m=26.52, sd=0.78) than the first year (m=21.57, sd=0.78). The interaction was not significant (F(1,38)=0.647, p\u3e0.025). Thus, the difference in BMI due to U.S. residence duration is not influenced by differences in gender. For PF, a significant main effect for the gender was found (F(1,38)=31.354, p\u3c0.025). A significant main effect for U.S. residence duration was found (F(1,38)=13.044, p\u3c0.025). Second year students demonstrated a higher mean PF (m=33.98, sd=1.61) as compared to the first year (m=25.78, sd=1.61). The interaction was not significant (F(1,38)=0.97, p\u3e0.05). The effect of gender was not influenced by residence duration. CONCLUSION: Agreement information indicates the discrepancy between the two methods of determining health status in Asian Indians. Additionally, this study demonstrates that as a result of one year in the U.S., second year students had higher body composition values than first year students

ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR AMONG RURAL THAI ADOLESCENTS REGARDING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

Abstract. Early initiation of sexual intercourse has been associated with negative consequences, such as higher rates of unwanted pregnancy and HIV infection. This study examined the attitudes and behavior of rural Thai adolescent students aged 16 to 20 years from northern Thailand regarding sexual intercourse. Differences between participants who previously had sexual intercourse and those who had not were explored. Those who had not previously had sexual intercourse were asked about the reasons why they had not had sex, their future plans for having sex and their dating experiences. More than 70% of participants stated they had not previously had sexual intercourse but one third of this group reported engaging in other sexual behavior. There were significant differences by gender, religion, ethnicity, and household income between those who had previously had sex and those who had not. Among those who had not previously had sexual intercourse, concern for their parents' feelings was the most common reason for delaying intercourse. About two-thirds of this group had plans not to have sexual intercourse until after marriage; nearly half of them reported currently having a boyfriend/girlfriend. Interventions aimed at delaying sexual intercourse should involve adolescents in their design and include their attitudes for delaying intercourse. Because of many gender differences seen in our study, interventions should be designed differently for males and females in rural northern Thailand

Final Report of the AFIT Quality Initiative External Discovery Committee

This report summarizes the findings of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s (AFIT’s) Quality Initiative - External Discovery Team. The overarching purpose of the Quality Initiative is to create a detailed, executable investment strategy for modernizing AFIT’s instructional capabilities across five thrust areas. These activities were completed over the course of one year, beginning in June of 2016 and concluding in June of 2017. The data gathered were evaluated and several recommendations for further review were decided upon by the External Discovery Team. The following report briefly covers those recommendations and provides sources from which the recommendations were gleaned. These recommendations are meant to serve as a baseline for ways in which AFIT could begin to program resources to help improve teaching and instruction across the institution as a whole. The data presented here are meant to serve as a compliment to the Internal Discovery Team’s report that focuses on data and feedback gathered from institutions internal to AFIT