Background: Due to the increase in longevity and use of antiretroviral treatment, Uganda has had a growing population of older persons living with HIV/AIDS. However, there is a paucity of information on the mental hea...Background: Due to the increase in longevity and use of antiretroviral treatment, Uganda has had a growing population of older persons living with HIV/AIDS. However, there is a paucity of information on the mental health of the elderly living with HIV/AIDS. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence of, and associated factors for depression and suicidal ideation among older persons living with HIV/AIDS in Mbarara city, southwest Uganda. Methods: Older persons (150 females, 115 males), with mean age = 64.2 (±5.1) years, accessing health services from three purposively selected HIV/AIDS care centers in Mbarara city, southwest Uganda were recruited. Data on depression and suicidal ideation were collected using a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) validated in Uganda, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Results: Approximately 8.3% and 12.1% had depression and suicidal ideation, respectively. The factors associated with lowering the likelihood of depression were: an increase in the number of family members they stayed with and having no having any problems with their ARVs. On the other hand, earning more than 100,000 Uganda shillings was associated with reducing the risk of suicidal ideations among the participants. Conclusion: Approximately 8 to 12 in 100 older persons living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda have experienced depression or suicidal ideation. Family support and financial control were instrumental factors associated with depression and suicidal ideations, respectively. We recommended strengthening family structures and creating more avenues for financial independence among older persons living with HIV/AIDS to reduce the burden of depression, and suicidal behaviours among this vulnerable population.展开更多
After nearly three decades of being virtually drug free, use of heroin and other illicit drugs has re-emerged in China as a major public health problem. One result is that drug abuse, particularly heroin injection, ha...After nearly three decades of being virtually drug free, use of heroin and other illicit drugs has re-emerged in China as a major public health problem. One result is that drug abuse, particularly heroin injection, has come to play a predomi- nant role in fueling China’s AIDS epidemic. The first outbreak of HIV among China’s IDUs was reported in the border area of Yunnan province between China and Myanmar where drug trafficking is heavy. Since then drug-related HIV has spread to all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. This paper provides an overview to HIV/AIDS transmission through injection drug use in China. It begins with a brief history of the illicit drug trade in China, followed by a discussion of the emergence of drug related AIDS, and a profile of drug users and their sexual partners who have contracted the virus or who are vulnerable to infection. It ends by summarizing three national strategies being used by China to address both drug use and AIDS as major health threats.展开更多
In order to find out the effect of human (sexual) behavior change and immigration in spreading the HIV/AIDS, a deterministic model of HIV/AIDS with infective immigration is formulated. First, basic properties of the m...In order to find out the effect of human (sexual) behavior change and immigration in spreading the HIV/AIDS, a deterministic model of HIV/AIDS with infective immigration is formulated. First, basic properties of the model, including non-negativity and boundedness of the solutions, existence of the endemic equilibrium and the basic reproduction number, R0 are analyzed. The geometrical approach is used to obtain the global asymptotic stability of endemic equilibrium. Then the basic model is extended to include several control efforts aimed at reducing infection and changing behavior. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to derive the optimality system and solve the system numerically. Our numerical findings are illustrated through simulations using MATLAB, which shows reliability of our model from the practical point of view.展开更多
A nonlinear mathematical model of vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS is proposed to study the effects of drug resistance in the spread of the disease. The study assumes that treatment leads to the evolution of drug res...A nonlinear mathematical model of vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS is proposed to study the effects of drug resistance in the spread of the disease. The study assumes that treatment leads to the evolution of drug resistance in some pockets of the population. We use traditional methods to determine conditions for existence and stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium points of the model. The study showed that the burden of the disease may be reduced if the reproduction number is reduced below unity and may persist if the reproduction number is raised above unity. Furthermore, evolution of drug resistance due to treatment may change the cause of the epidemic.展开更多
The paper studied the imperatives of health psychologists in the control and management of HIV/ AIDS. HIV/AIDS is a relatively new disease, but has caused more deaths than any other disease in human history, and there...The paper studied the imperatives of health psychologists in the control and management of HIV/ AIDS. HIV/AIDS is a relatively new disease, but has caused more deaths than any other disease in human history, and there is no known cure yet. Even though, HIV/AIDS is a death sentence, experts agreed that early detection, and early commencement of treatment may prolong the life of the patients, and that early detection may prevent or reduce the transmission of the virus. Early detection, commencement of treatment, and compliance with medical advice are the responsibilities of the health psychologist. This paper therefore, concludes that health psychologist is indispensable in effective control, and management of HIV/AIDS, and so recommends that awareness be created on the roles of health psychologists in this regard, through health education.展开更多
Aim: The objects of this study originated from the experimental observations, whereby the HIV -1 gp120 V3 loop is a high-affinity ligand for immunophilins, and consisted in generating the structural complex of cycloph...Aim: The objects of this study originated from the experimental observations, whereby the HIV -1 gp120 V3 loop is a high-affinity ligand for immunophilins, and consisted in generating the structural complex of cyclophilin (Cyc) B belonging to immunophilins family with the virus subtype A V3 loop (SA-V3 loop) as well as in specifying the Cyc B segment forming the binding site for V3 synthetic copy of which, on the assumption of keeping the 3D peptide structure in the free state, may present a forwardlooking basic structure for anti-AIDS drug development. Methods: To reach the objects of view, molecular docking of the HIV-1 SA-V3 loop structure determined previously with the X-ray conformation of Cyc B was put into practice by Hex 4.5 program (http://www.loria.fr/~ritchied/ hex/) and the immunophilin stretch responsible for binding to V3 (Cyc B peptide) was identified followed by examination of its 3D structure and dynamic behavior in the unbound status. To design the Cyc B peptide, the X-ray conformation for the identical site of the native protein was involved in the calculations as a starting model to find its best energy structural variant. The search for this most preferable structure was carried out by consecutive use of the molecular mechanics and simulated annealing methods. The molecular dynamics computations were implemented for the Cyc B peptide by the GROMACS computer package (http:// www.gromacs.org/). Results: The overmolecular structure of Cyc B with V3 was built by computer modeling tools and the immunophilinderived peptide able to mask effectively the structurally invariant V3 segments embracing the functionally crucial amino acids of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein was constructed and analyzed. Conclusions: Starting from the joint analysis of the results derived with those of the literature, the generated peptide was suggested to offer a promising basic structure for making a reality of the protein engineering projects aimed at developing the anti-AIDS drugs able to stop the HIV’s spread.展开更多
文摘Background: Due to the increase in longevity and use of antiretroviral treatment, Uganda has had a growing population of older persons living with HIV/AIDS. However, there is a paucity of information on the mental health of the elderly living with HIV/AIDS. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence of, and associated factors for depression and suicidal ideation among older persons living with HIV/AIDS in Mbarara city, southwest Uganda. Methods: Older persons (150 females, 115 males), with mean age = 64.2 (±5.1) years, accessing health services from three purposively selected HIV/AIDS care centers in Mbarara city, southwest Uganda were recruited. Data on depression and suicidal ideation were collected using a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) validated in Uganda, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on clinical and socio-demographic characteristics. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Results: Approximately 8.3% and 12.1% had depression and suicidal ideation, respectively. The factors associated with lowering the likelihood of depression were: an increase in the number of family members they stayed with and having no having any problems with their ARVs. On the other hand, earning more than 100,000 Uganda shillings was associated with reducing the risk of suicidal ideations among the participants. Conclusion: Approximately 8 to 12 in 100 older persons living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda have experienced depression or suicidal ideation. Family support and financial control were instrumental factors associated with depression and suicidal ideations, respectively. We recommended strengthening family structures and creating more avenues for financial independence among older persons living with HIV/AIDS to reduce the burden of depression, and suicidal behaviours among this vulnerable population.
文摘After nearly three decades of being virtually drug free, use of heroin and other illicit drugs has re-emerged in China as a major public health problem. One result is that drug abuse, particularly heroin injection, has come to play a predomi- nant role in fueling China’s AIDS epidemic. The first outbreak of HIV among China’s IDUs was reported in the border area of Yunnan province between China and Myanmar where drug trafficking is heavy. Since then drug-related HIV has spread to all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. This paper provides an overview to HIV/AIDS transmission through injection drug use in China. It begins with a brief history of the illicit drug trade in China, followed by a discussion of the emergence of drug related AIDS, and a profile of drug users and their sexual partners who have contracted the virus or who are vulnerable to infection. It ends by summarizing three national strategies being used by China to address both drug use and AIDS as major health threats.
文摘In order to find out the effect of human (sexual) behavior change and immigration in spreading the HIV/AIDS, a deterministic model of HIV/AIDS with infective immigration is formulated. First, basic properties of the model, including non-negativity and boundedness of the solutions, existence of the endemic equilibrium and the basic reproduction number, R0 are analyzed. The geometrical approach is used to obtain the global asymptotic stability of endemic equilibrium. Then the basic model is extended to include several control efforts aimed at reducing infection and changing behavior. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to derive the optimality system and solve the system numerically. Our numerical findings are illustrated through simulations using MATLAB, which shows reliability of our model from the practical point of view.
文摘A nonlinear mathematical model of vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS is proposed to study the effects of drug resistance in the spread of the disease. The study assumes that treatment leads to the evolution of drug resistance in some pockets of the population. We use traditional methods to determine conditions for existence and stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium points of the model. The study showed that the burden of the disease may be reduced if the reproduction number is reduced below unity and may persist if the reproduction number is raised above unity. Furthermore, evolution of drug resistance due to treatment may change the cause of the epidemic.
文摘The paper studied the imperatives of health psychologists in the control and management of HIV/ AIDS. HIV/AIDS is a relatively new disease, but has caused more deaths than any other disease in human history, and there is no known cure yet. Even though, HIV/AIDS is a death sentence, experts agreed that early detection, and early commencement of treatment may prolong the life of the patients, and that early detection may prevent or reduce the transmission of the virus. Early detection, commencement of treatment, and compliance with medical advice are the responsibilities of the health psychologist. This paper therefore, concludes that health psychologist is indispensable in effective control, and management of HIV/AIDS, and so recommends that awareness be created on the roles of health psychologists in this regard, through health education.
文摘Aim: The objects of this study originated from the experimental observations, whereby the HIV -1 gp120 V3 loop is a high-affinity ligand for immunophilins, and consisted in generating the structural complex of cyclophilin (Cyc) B belonging to immunophilins family with the virus subtype A V3 loop (SA-V3 loop) as well as in specifying the Cyc B segment forming the binding site for V3 synthetic copy of which, on the assumption of keeping the 3D peptide structure in the free state, may present a forwardlooking basic structure for anti-AIDS drug development. Methods: To reach the objects of view, molecular docking of the HIV-1 SA-V3 loop structure determined previously with the X-ray conformation of Cyc B was put into practice by Hex 4.5 program (http://www.loria.fr/~ritchied/ hex/) and the immunophilin stretch responsible for binding to V3 (Cyc B peptide) was identified followed by examination of its 3D structure and dynamic behavior in the unbound status. To design the Cyc B peptide, the X-ray conformation for the identical site of the native protein was involved in the calculations as a starting model to find its best energy structural variant. The search for this most preferable structure was carried out by consecutive use of the molecular mechanics and simulated annealing methods. The molecular dynamics computations were implemented for the Cyc B peptide by the GROMACS computer package (http:// www.gromacs.org/). Results: The overmolecular structure of Cyc B with V3 was built by computer modeling tools and the immunophilinderived peptide able to mask effectively the structurally invariant V3 segments embracing the functionally crucial amino acids of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein was constructed and analyzed. Conclusions: Starting from the joint analysis of the results derived with those of the literature, the generated peptide was suggested to offer a promising basic structure for making a reality of the protein engineering projects aimed at developing the anti-AIDS drugs able to stop the HIV’s spread.
