Life projects of young adults with HIV acquired by vertical transmission: an exploratory study with patients of an infectious diseases' outpatients department

Esta pesquisa teve o intuito de conhecer os projetos de vida de jovens adultos que convivem com o HIV/aids a partir da transmissão vertical, com relação a: estudo, trabalho e constituição familiar. Outro objetivo foi o de conhecer sua vivência no que diz respeito à assistência recebida. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados: questionário sociodemográfico e entrevista semiestruturada. Foram realizadas 16 entrevistas com jovens de idade entre 18 e 22 anos, usuários de um ambulatório de um hospital público especializado na área de Infectologia. O material obtido nas entrevistas foi analisado segundo os princípios da análise temática. Foram encontradas seis categorias temáticas: estudo e escolaridade; trabalho e emprego; sexualidade e constituição familiar; vivência de preconceito; adesão ao tratamento; acolhimento. Os entrevistados referiram que a escola é importante meio para a inserção social e para a conquista da autonomia. O trabalho foi apresentado como principal fonte de subsistência e de independência. O exercício da sexualidade foi marcado pela situação de existência do HIV, determinando cuidados especiais; quanto à conjugalidade, os projetos dos entrevistados são variados: união informal, casamento oficial, vida sem cônjuge. No que diz respeito à maternidade/paternidade, os projetos são marcadamente influenciados pela portabilidade do HIV, despertando dúvidas e receios. Os entrevistados relataram a existência do preconceito em vários contextos. Quanto à adesão ao tratamento, revelaram a existência tanto de dificuldades como de mecanismos criados para enfrentá-las. O acolhimento por parte de familiares, amigos e profissionais da saúde foi considerado fundamental para o desenvolvimento e a manutenção de seus projetos de vida.This research had the intention to understand the life projects of young adults living with HIV/Aids infected through vertical transmission: how they deal with studies, work and with building a family. Another objective was to know their experiences regarding health assistance received. The research method was: socio-demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Sixteen interviews were performed with people between eighteen and twenty two years-old who were users of a public out patients service specialized in Infectious Diseases. Data from the interviews was analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis. Six thematic categories were found: study and schooling; labor and employment; sexuality and family building; experiences of prejudice; adherence to treatment and reception at the health service.I Interviewees appointed the whole education ambient as an important way to reach social inclusion, as well as autonomy. They presented their working life as the first source of subsistence and independence. The exercise of their sexuality was marked by HIV, implicating in special care. Regarding conjugality, the interviewees' projects were varied: informal union, legal marriage and life without partner. The projects involving maternity/paternity were strongly influenced by the presence of HIV, which results in many doubts and worries. Interviewees reported the existence of prejudice in various situations. As regarding the adherence to treatment, subjects talked about difficulties and coping mechanisms. Being well received by friends, coworkers and family was considered pivotal to developing and maintaining life projects

Ampliação da sobrevida em crianças com AIDS no Brasil: resultados do segundo estudo nacional de 1999 a 2002

The objective of this study is to characterize survival in children with AIDS diagnosed in Brazil between 1999-2002, compared with the first national study (1983-1998). This national retrospective cohort study examined a representative sample of Brazilian children exposed to HIV from mother-to-child transmission and followed through 2007. The survival probability after 60 months was analyzed by sex, year of birth and death, clinical classification, use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prophylaxis for opportunistic diseases. 920 children were included. The survival probability increased: comparing cases diagnosed before 1988 with those diagnosed from 2001-2002 it increased by 3.5-fold (from 25% to 86.3%). Use of ART, initial clinical classification, and final classification were significant (p < 0.001) predictors of survival. Issues regarding quality of records and care were identified. The results point to the success of the Brazilian policy of providing ART. The improvement of clinical status contributes to quality of life, while indicating challenges, particularly practices to improve long-term care.Este estudo caracteriza a sobrevida em crianças com AIDS no Brasil entre 1999-2002, contextualizando com o primeiro estudo nacional (1983-1998). Trata-se de coorte histórica, com crianças expostas ao HIV por transmissão vertical e acompanhadas até 2007. A probabilidade de sobrevivência em 60 meses foi analisada segundo sexo, ano de nascimento e de óbito, classificação clínica, uso de terapia antirretroviral (TARV) e de profilaxia para doenças oportunistas. No total, 920 crianças foram incluídas. A probabilidade de sobrevivência foi ampliada 3,5 vezes nos dois períodos avaliados, passando de 25% antes de 1988 para 86,3% no período de 2001-2002. Uso de TARV, classificação clínica inicial e atual/final foram preditores que influíram significativamente (p < 0,001) para a ampliação da sobrevida. Os resultados deste estudo indicam o sucesso da política brasileira para a abordagem das crianças infectadas com HIV. A melhora do estado clínico contribuiu para melhora da qualidade de vida, mas sinaliza-se para a necessidade de incorporação de práticas pautadas na integralidade do cuidado

The sexuality of HIV-positive adolescents: rights and challenges for healthcare

Sexualidade e saúde reprodutiva configuram questões relevantes para o cuidado integral à saúde de pessoas vivendo com HIV. Políticas públicas e serviços de saúde, entretanto, têm dedicado insuficiente atenção ao assunto. O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender como adolescentes e jovens soropositivos lidam com suas experiências sexuais e projetos de namoro, desejo de constituir família e de ter filhos. O estudo qualitativo entrevistou em profundidade 21 adolescentes vivendo com HIV (por transmissão vertical, sexual ou sanguínea) e 13 cuidadores de crianças e jovens, vivendo em São Paulo e em Santos, Brasil. As narrativas descrevem como aprenderam a lidar com a sexualidade e a ansiedade da revelação do diagnóstico nesse contexto. Destacam-se nas narrativas o despreparo, a desinformação sobre prevenção e a falta de apoio para lidar com a situação, assim como o estigma e a discriminação que atravessa grande parte das dificuldades relatadas. O artigo discute criticamente alguns dos desafios postos para uma adequada atenção à questão no Brasil, especialmente a consideração de jovens soropositivos como sujeitos de direitos sexuais, sugerindo diretrizes para a incorporação desta temática a um cuidado integral e humanizado de crianças e jovens vivendo com HIV.Sexuality and reproductive healthcare represent relevant issues for comprehensive care of HIV-positive adolescents. However, public policies and health services give this issue insufficient attention. The scope of this article is to assess how HIV-positive young people and teenagers cope with their sexuality, dating and the urge to have children and start a family. In a qualitative study, in-depth interviews were staged with 21 HIV-positive (contracted by vertical, sexual or intravenous transmission) teenagers and 13 caregivers of children and youths living in Sao Paulo and Santos. The interviews revealed the different ways teenagers cope with their sexuality and with the anxiety of HIV disclosure in this context. Lack of information about HIV prevention, lack of support and skills to cope with their sexuality were revealed in the reports. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination were the most frequently reported difficulties. The main challenges to be faced in Brazil in regard to this issue are discussed, especially the need to consider HIV-positive youth as entitled to sexual rights. Recommendations are also made for incorporating the issue into a humanized and comprehensive care approach for HIV-positive children and young people

Impact of macrolide therapy on mortality of HIV-infected patients with community-acquired pneumonia in a tertiary teaching hospital

BACKGROUND: Bacterial pneumonia is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of macrolide therapy in combination with a beta-lactam based empiric regimen for inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia and HIV. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients. Adult patients who had received treatment with ceftriaxone or ceftriaxone plus clarithromycin were included. RESULTS: 76 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among baseline characteristics analyzed, only respiratory rate showed significant difference: patients who had received clarithromycin were more likely to have a respiratory rate > 30/min than patients who received only ceftriaxone (64% versus 36%, p = 0.03). ICU admission was the only outcome that showed a significant difference, more frequent in the ceftriaxone plus clarithromycin group (45% versus 20%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the addition of a macrolide to a beta-lactam based regimen in HIV-infected patients. This is probably related to the patients' immunodeficiency status, which impairs the immunomodulatory properties of the macrolides

Long-term Efficacy And Safety Of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate In Hiv-1-infected Adolescents Failing Antiretroviral Therapy The Final Results Of Study Gs-us-104-0321

Background: Reports of long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment in HIV-infected adolescents are limited. We present final results from the open-label (OL) TDF extension following the randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled, double-blind phase of GS-US-104-0321 (Study 321). Methods: HIV-infected 12- to 17-year-olds treated with TDF 300 mg or PBO with an optimized background regimen (OBR) for 24-48 weeks subsequently received OL TDF plus OBR in a single arm study extension. HIV-1 RNA and safety, including bone mineral density (BMD), was assessed in all TDF recipients. Results: Eighty-one subjects received TDF (median duration 96 weeks). No subject died or discontinued OL TDF for safety/tolerability. At week 144, proportions with HIV-1 RNA 1000 c/mL initially randomized to TDF), 41.7% (5 of 12 subjects with HIV-1 RNA 1000 c/mL and switched PBO to TDF). Viral resistance to TDF occurred in 1 subject. At week 144, median decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate was 38.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 25). Increases in median spine (+12.70%, n = 26) and total body less head BMD (+4.32%, n = 26) and height-age adjusted Z-scores (n = 21; + 0.457 for spine, +0.152 for total body less head) were observed at week 144. Five of 81 subjects (6%) had persistent >4% BMD decreases from baseline. Conclusions: Some subjects had virologic responses to TDF plus OBR, and TDF resistance was rare. TDF was well tolerated and can be considered for treatment of HIV-infected adolescents.344398405Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CAGilead Science

Improving survival among Brazilian children with perinatally-acquired AIDS

Brazil was the first developing country to provide free, universal access to antiretroviral treatment for AIDS patients. The Brazilian experience thus provides the first evidence regarding the impact of such treatment on the survival of perinatally acquired AIDS cases in the developing world. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used medical record reviews to examine characteristics and trends in the survival of a representative sample of 914 perinatally acquired AIDS cases in 10 Brazilian cities diagnosed between 1983 and 1998. RESULTS: Survival time increased steadily and substantially. Whereas half of the children died within 20 months of diagnosis at the beginning of the epidemic, 75% of children diagnosed in 1997 and 1998 were still alive after four years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in management and treatment have made a great difference in the survival of Brazilian children with AIDS. These results argue strongly for making such treatment available to children in the entire developing world

AIDS by mother-to-child transmission: survival analysis of cases followed from 1983 to 2002 in different regions of Brazil AIDS por transmissão vertical: análise de sobrevivência dos casos acompanhados entre 1983 e 2002 nas diferentes regiões do Brasil

Antiretroviral therapy contributes to decreasing morbidity and mortality, and ultimately to increasing survival. In Brazil, there are regional differences in HIV epidemiology regarding pregnant women and children with HIV/AIDS. This study evaluates survival time after AIDS diagnosis in 914 children infected by mother-to-child transmission, reported between 1983 and 1998 and followed until 2002, in Brazil's five regions. Time between birth and HIV diagnosis decreased over the years, mainly in the South and Southeast Regions. There was a significant improvement in survival; more than 75% of cases were still living four years after diagnosis in the 1997-1998 group. This Brazilian study demonstrates that even with regional inequalities in health care infrastructure it is possible for a developing country to establish an effective system of universal and free access to antiretroviral therapy that produces a significant increase in survival for children with AIDS.<br>A terapia anti-retroviral contribui para a diminuição da morbidade e da mortalidade, com conseqüente aumento da sobrevida. No Brasil, há diferenças regionais relativas à dinâmica da epidemia do HIV e ao seu enfrentamento no grupo das gestantes e das crianças com HIV/AIDS. Este estudo verifica o tempo de sobrevida após o diagnóstico de AIDS em 914 crianças infectadas por transmissão vertical, entre os anos de 1983 e 1998, e acompanhadas até 2002, nas cinco regiões brasileiras. O tempo do nascimento ao diagnóstico de infecção pelo HIV, ao longo dos anos, apresenta uma diminuição, principalmente nos estados das regiões Sul e Sudeste. Houve melhora significativa da sobrevivência, mais de 75% dos casos ainda estavam vivendo quatro anos após o diagnóstico, no grupo de 1997 e 1998. Esta análise brasileira mostra ser possível para um país em desenvolvimento estabelecer um sistema efetivo de acesso gratuito e universal à terapia anti-retroviral, mesmo com dificuldades regionais para a organização de uma infra-estrutura ideal de saúde, tendo como resultado um aumento significativo da sobrevivência

Improving survival among Brazilian children with perinatally-acquired AIDS

Brazil was the first developing country to provide free, universal access to antiretroviral treatment for AIDS patients. The Brazilian experience thus provides the first evidence regarding the impact of such treatment on the survival of perinatally acquired AIDS cases in the developing world. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used medical record reviews to examine characteristics and trends in the survival of a representative sample of 914 perinatally acquired AIDS cases in 10 Brazilian cities diagnosed between 1983 and 1998. RESULTS: Survival time increased steadily and substantially. Whereas half of the children died within 20 months of diagnosis at the beginning of the epidemic, 75% of children diagnosed in 1997 and 1998 were still alive after four years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in management and treatment have made a great difference in the survival of Brazilian children with AIDS. These results argue strongly for making such treatment available to children in the entire developing world