Open AIDS Journal

INTRODUCTION: Whereas several studies show that homozygous (HbSS) sickle cell disease protects against human immunodeficiency virus infection, it is not clear if human immunodeficiency virus infection is affected by the heterozygous state of the sickle globin gene (HbAS or sickle cell trait). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of sickle cell trait on the prevalence and severity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in a large patient population. METHODS: Hemoglobin genotype was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 1,226 HIV-1 patients in Nigeria...

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HIV and risk behaviors among the inmates' visitors at the Great Tehran Prison in 2018.This population is more likely to be infected with HIV due to their relationship with inmates. However, they have not been prioritized to the other populations in comparison to inmates who are usually prioritized over others. Method: Using a convenient sampling method, we recruited inmates' visitorsat the Great Tehran Prison in 2018...

Background: Young people in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga South Africa are at high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Programs are needed to reach these young people and change their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Objective: The objective of this study is to use cross-sectional data from grade 10 female and male learners in randomly assigned intervention and control schools to examine knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behaviors. Methods: Participants were in grade 10 in the 2018 school year and were attending schools randomly assigned to the intervention and control arms for implementation of the Department of Basic Education's adapted life orientation curriculum that included scripted lesson plans...

Background: There is scarcity of data about the prevalence of non-AIDS defining comorbidities among stable HIV-infected patients in Peru. Objective: We aimed to describe the most frequent cardiometabolic comorbidities found among ambulatory adults on ARV in Peru. Methods: A review of records for patients attending regular visits at 5 clinics in Lima-Callao in January-February 2016 is presented. Patients were adults on ARV for >6 months, with no recent AIDS-defining condition...

Background: Poor functional status can significantly affect Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of HIV patients. However, there is scarce information on the functional profile of such patients before starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objective: To estimate the association between health-related quality of life and physical functioning in Antiretroviral-Naive HIV-infected patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with HIV-infected patients older than 18 years, and naïve to antiretroviral therapy...

Objective: To identify the socio-behavioral risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis among HIV/AIDS patients with chronic diarrhea symptoms visiting the HIV referral clinic at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 HIV/AIDS patients with recurrent diarrhea. Questionnaires were administered to collect social and behavioral risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium and other opportunistic protozoan parasitic infections in HIV patients...

Background: Care and viral suppression national goals for HIV infection are not being met for many at-risk groups. Assessment of the trends in national outcomes for linkage to care, receipt of care, and viral suppression among these groups is necessary to reduce transmission. Methods: Data reported to the National HIV Surveillance System by December 2016 were used to identify cases of HIV infection among persons aged 13 years and older in one of 17 identified jurisdictions with complete laboratory reporting...

The prevalence of HIV is substantially higher among prisoners than the general population, while the incidence varies considerably in different regions around the world. If we consider Sub-Saharan Africa as one region with the highest prevalence of HIV, data on African prisoners would be limited. Despite the low prevalence of HIV in the Middle East and North Africa, its incidence is rising in these regions with a few exceptions; there are insufficient data on HIV prevalence in prisons. A similar situation is present in both Pacific and Central Asia as well as in Eastern Europe...

Background: Research suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) often engage in high-risk sex and use illicit substances. Objective: To increase understanding of HIV knowledge and vulnerability among adolescent and young adult MSM, with a focus on alcohol and drug use and transactional sex. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with adolescent (aged 15-17 years) and young adult (aged 18-29 years) MSM in Kumasi, Ghana...

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The global commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 places HIV prevention at the centre of the response. With the disease continuing to disproportionately affect young populations in the Eastern and Southern African Region (ESAR), particularly adolescent girls and young women, reducing HIV infections in this group is integral to achieving this ambitious target. This paper examines epidemiological patterns of the HIV epidemic among adolescents and young people, indicating where HIV prevention efforts need to be focused ( i...

Background: Findings from different studies report inferior clinical and virologic efficacy with TDF/3TC/NVP. But, some studies show that, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality among ZDV and TDF based regimens. The objective of this review was to systematically identify, appraise and synthesize the best available evidence on efficacy and safety of TDF based regimen as compared to ZDV based regimens. Methods: A three-step search strategy was used to locate published and unpublished studies...

Background: Few Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence trials investigate the reasons for intervention success or failure among HIV-positive individuals. Objectives: To conduct qualitative research to explore the reasons for effectiveness of a 6-month mHealth (mobile health) trial that improved adherence among ART patients in China. The intervention utilized Wireless Pill Containers (WPCs) to provide, real-time SMS reminders, WPC-generated adherence reports, and report-informed counseling...

Background: Treatment options among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected children are limited as only a few Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) are approved worldwide for paediatric use. Among children, frequent changes in HAART regimen can rapidly exhaust treatment options, and information addressing this issue is scarce. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine factors associated with the modification of initial HAART regimen modification among HIV-infected children...

Background: HIV infection is a known prothrombotic condition but factors involved are still controversial. A role for antiretrovirals, especially protease inhibitors, was advocated. Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the levels of anticoagulant proteins in virally suppressed HIV-infected subjects treated with different anti-retroviral regimens. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients were included in the study. C and PS, D-Dimers and Fibrinogen levels were determined as well as APC-resistance...

Among 136 women sexually assaulted by a current or former male intimate partner presenting to hospital-based violence treatment centers, 58 (42.6%) received HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) counseling by a specially trained sexual assault nurse. We identified factors that were associated with receipt of HIV PEP counseling. Those who received counseling were more likely to have been younger than 25 years of age, single, a student, vaginally penetrated, and have received various other services ( e.g ., STI prophylaxis)...

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are becoming more prevalent in HIV-infected populations as they age largely due to improved treatment outcomes. Assessment of CVD risk and CVD risk factors in HIV-positive populations has focused on high income settings, while there are limited studies evaluating CVD in HIV-positive populations in the Asian region. Materials and Methods: We provided an overview of the prevalence and incidence of CVD and its risk factors in adult HIV-positive populations, and of the strategies currently in place for CVD management in the Asian region...

Background: Self-management is an important aspect of long-term HIV treatment. Mobile technologies offer the potential to efficiently deliver interventions to facilitate HIV self-management. The last comprehensive review of such mHealth interventions was conducted in 2011. Given the rapidly evolving field, a need was identified for an updated review of the literature. Objective: The study aimed to describe and evaluate current evidence-based mHealth interventions to support self-management in HIV...

Background: Opportunities for HIV testing could be enhanced by offering HIV self-testing (HIVST) in populations that fear stigma and discrimination when accessing conventional HIV counselling and testing. Field experience with HIVST was poorly reported in French-speaking African countries. Objective: To investigate the usability of HIVST in Bangui, Central African Republic. Methods: The prototype self-test Exacto® Test HIV (Biosynex, Strasbourg, France) was used to assess the usability of HIVST in 300 adults living in Bangui, according to WHO technical recommendations...

Introduction: Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors increases the overall survival of patients with metastatic melanoma regardless of their oncogene addicted mutations. However, no data is available from clinical trials of effective therapies in subgroups of melanoma patients that carry chronic infective diseases such as HIV. Evidences suggest a key role of the immune checkpoint molecules as a mechanism of immune escape not only from melanoma but also from HIV host immune response...