Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living wit...Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living with HIV. As such adoption of screening tools during targeted HIV testing services improves efficiency by identifying individuals who are likely to test positive. Effective utilization of screening tools requires an understanding of health care worker perception and willingness to use the tools. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among healthcare workers at 8 selected primary healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe. Interviewer-guided, in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and their immediate supervisors. Thematic analysis was performed following a framework built around the grounded theory model to describe perspectives that influence the utilization of HIV screening tools and suggestions for improved eligibility screening. Results: Behavioural factors facilitating the utilisation of the screening tool included motivation to adhere to standard practice, awareness of screening in targeting testing, and its ability to manage workload through screening out ineligible clients. This was evident across service delivery levels. Barriers included limited healthcare capacity, confidentiality space, multiple screening tools and opaque screening in/out criteria and the potential of clients not responding to screening questions truthfully. Conclusions: Across geographical and service delivery levels, placing screening tools at HIV testing entry points, healthcare worker knowledge on screening in/out criteria emerged as enablers for correct and consistent utilization. Further, standardizing the tools and adopting a decision aid algorithm would improve the accurate utilisation of screening tools.展开更多
This article is about a report of the experiment of PRO/PET-Saúde students in the anti-HIV tests implementation in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The goal is to report the importance and discuss the aspects of the mo...This article is about a report of the experiment of PRO/PET-Saúde students in the anti-HIV tests implementation in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The goal is to report the importance and discuss the aspects of the moment experienced above inside the basic health unit in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The experience occurred in the months from February to March 2014 and they were conducted within 8 hours per week. This way, it is observed that the period lived made possible great reflection about the making of the examination in the pre-natal appointment routines, cataloguing challenges which come up during their adequacy within the services. Lastly, the action developed aimed for the aggregation of an active learning process in the search for a critical sense in the experienced practice, allowing and prioritizing the basic health unit as a scope of reference and counter-reference in the public health service, increasing concrete answers and the needs of the population, guaranteeing an adequate service delivery and strengthening the SUS more and more. The insertion of students through the PRO/PET-Saúde-Rede Cegonha enables a reorientation of professional formation, from the integration between service and teaching.展开更多
Objective We aimed to elucidate the rates of repeat HIV testing and incident HIV diagnosis, and baseline CD4^+ T cell count among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Wuxi, Ch...Objective We aimed to elucidate the rates of repeat HIV testing and incident HIV diagnosis, and baseline CD4^+ T cell count among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Wuxi, China. Methods A repeat HIV testing within 12 months was recorded if individuals had their first test with negative results, during 2013-2014 and retested within 12 months. An incident HIV diagnosis was recorded if individuals had their first test with negative results, during 2013-2015 and had a subsequent positive result at any point by the end of 2015. Data on HIV testing and diagnosis among individuals attending 32 VCT clinics from 2013 to 2015 and HIV diagnosis from other clinical services in Wuxi, China, were retrieved. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze factors associated with repeat HIV testing. Cox regression was used to evaluate factors associated with incident HIV diagnosis. Results From 2013 to 2014, 11,504 individuals tested HIV negative at their first recorded test, with 655 (5.7%) retesting within 12 months. Higher repeat HIV testing within 12 months was associated with male gender [adjusted odds ratio (a OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-2.2], risk behaviors [commercial heterosexual behaviors (a OR = 1.4, CI: 1.1-1.6), male-male sexual behaviors (a OR = 3.7, CI: 2.7-4.9)], injection drug use (a OR = 9.9, CI: 6.5-15.1), and having taken HIV tests previously (a OR = 2.0, CI: 1.6-2.4). From 2013 to 2015, 1,088 individuals tested negative on HIV test at their visit and at ≥ 2 subsequent tests; of them 30 had incident HIV diagnosis. The overall rate of incident HIV diagnosis among all VCT individuals was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.1) per 100 person-years. Incident HIV diagnosis was associated with male gender [adjusted hazard ratio (a HR) = 8.5, 95% CI: 1.9-38.1], attending hospital-based VCT clinics (a HR = 7.8, 95% CI: 1.1-58.3), and male-male sexual behavior (a HR = 8.4, 95% CI: 1.5-46.7). Individuals diagnosed at VCT clinics had higher CD4+ T cell count compared with those diagnosed at other clinical services (median 407 vs. 326 copies/mm3, P = 0.003). Conclusion VCT individuals in Wuxi, China, had a low repeat HIV testing rate and high HIV incidence. VCT-clinic-based interventions aimed at increasing repeat HIV testing are needed to detect more cases at an earlier stage, especially among individuals at high risk for HIV infection such as men who have sex with men.展开更多
Objective:To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing.Methods: The study was conducted at the theatres of ...Objective:To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing.Methods: The study was conducted at the theatres of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital among 123 nursing,anaesthetic,and operating staff.A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted with stratified sampling.The study instrument was a structured,self administered pro forma.Results:All respondents were all aware of HIV infection and all had transmission through infected blood and tissues(100.0%).88.6%had infection through needle stick injuries, 62.6%through vertical transmission,and 98.4%through blood transfusion.Sixty three percent of respondents correctly knew what preoperative testing was,while 58.5%were aware of the preoperative testing policy of the hospital.All respondents favoured the policy of preoperative testing.Attitudinal values to seropositive patients were not very different as 72.4%of respondents claimed they treated every patient as high risk,and all respondents used personal protective equipment.Conclusions:Routine HIV testing now represents a conventional means providing patients with knowledge of their HIV status.Such testing should be accompanied by informed consent,counselling,confidentiality,protection,and access to treatment.展开更多
Background: Epidemiological data from each country can differ between cities and regions, for instance morbidity in HIV infection is four times higher in the south-west of Poland than in the east parts. Newly infected...Background: Epidemiological data from each country can differ between cities and regions, for instance morbidity in HIV infection is four times higher in the south-west of Poland than in the east parts. Newly infected people are five times more often reported in the central part of our country than in the south-east. Methods: We assessed the main reasons for providing HIV tests among HIV-positive patients of The Department of Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies at the Medical University of Warsaw in comparison with the epidemiological situation in Poland. We designed a survey with baseline data and questions about the reasons for and place of HIV testing. Results: The main reason for HIV testing is risky sexual contacts, not intravenous drug use like several years ago. The main places where HIV infection is detected are hospitals, outpatients’ clinics and consultative and diagnostic points (PCDs). Conclusion: Our results are not strictly the same like in our Polish national data or data of the PCD’s but can give new epidemiologic insights into our patients’ situation.展开更多
Background: The Department of Experimental Medicine functions as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for HIV testing covering 11 Medical Colleges (State Reference Laboratories SRL) & 723 subcenters i.e. Integr...Background: The Department of Experimental Medicine functions as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for HIV testing covering 11 Medical Colleges (State Reference Laboratories SRL) & 723 subcenters i.e. Integrated Counseling & Testing Centres and Blood Banks. The External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) in NRL implements Quality Control (QC) Testing, Proficiency panel testing and training programs. Materials & Method: 9419 samples (4393 HIV negative/5026 HIV positive) were tested for QC. All the samples were tested using HIV rapid test (CombAids) and HIV positives alone were tested using Tridot and EIA Comb. The QC samples consisted of 20% negative and all positives. All the 723 subcenters were provided with 5 coded plasma samples (3 reactive & 2 negative) for proficiency testing using rapid tests. The aliquot panel (500 μl) were provided twice a year for testing to monitor the laboratory performance. Results: Out of 9419 samples tested for QC, 9371 (99.49%) reported correct results and 48 (0.50%) discordant results. Out of 48 samples 26 (0.27%) were false positives and 22 (0.23%) false negative. Mislabeling, sample contamination, leaking vials, transcriptional errors, tests that were not performed correctly were identified. For proficiency testing 91.8% reported test results. 645 (97.13%) reported correct results & 19 (2.86%) incorrect results. Out of 19 samples 7 (1.05%) were false positive & 12 (1.80%) were false negative. Hands on training were provided and the 19 discordant centers reported correct results on retesting. Conclusion: Significant progress in establishing a well coordinated HIV Laboratory network of NRL and SRLs had been developed. However the HIV testing and Quality Assurance needs to be strengthened towards certification.展开更多
Background: HIV Testing Services (HTS) is a full range of services (e.g. counselling and post-test referrals) that are offered together with HIV testing. It is an important prevention strategy and the gateway to treat...Background: HIV Testing Services (HTS) is a full range of services (e.g. counselling and post-test referrals) that are offered together with HIV testing. It is an important prevention strategy and the gateway to treatment. The national targets in 2016 were to test 1.1 million people of which 54% was achieved. We determined trends of HTS in Zimbabwe from 2007 to 2016. Methods: A secondary dataset analysis was conducted using National Aids Council Core-Output Indicators dataset. Variables captured include total and repeat tests, counselling and referrals. Microsoft excel and Epi Info was used to generate frequencies, percentages and conduct chi square test for trends. Panda-Class Libraries was to attain estimates of HTS uptake till 2020. We used χ2 and p-values for statistical significance. Results: All (10,847.223) records were analysed. HIV tests per year increased from 340,705 in 2007, to 1,974,795 in 2015 (χ2 0.10492, p-value 0.74615). In 2007, 31% (n = 106,884) clients tested positive whilst in 2016 only 7% (n = 121,196) were positive (χ2 0.01166, p-value 0.91402). The 25 - 49 year age-group tested consistently highest throughout the 10year period (χ2 0.0558 p-value 0.813). The 15 - 24 year age-group had the highest yield (11% in 2015). Females (χ2 0.1074, p-value 0.743) consistently tested higher than males (χ2 0.0614, p-value 0.804). From 2007 to 2013 women had higher yields but by September 2016 males had a higher positivity of 8% (p-value χ2 0.658 p-value = 0.417). We estimate that 179,935 people living with HIV will know their status by 2020. Conclusion: HIV tests in Zimbabwe have increased but yield has decreased. Increase in repeat tests may be an indication of exhaustion of particular HTS strategies. Following this analysis it was recommended that HTS utilize various models such as HIV self-test to cater for populations with high yields.展开更多
Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a guideline for HIV testing in South Korea where the HIV prevalence is very low. It is necessary to make the recommendations presented here based on the epidemiology of opp...Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a guideline for HIV testing in South Korea where the HIV prevalence is very low. It is necessary to make the recommendations presented here based on the epidemiology of opportunistic infection and cancer in the community. Methods: The development of a guideline for HIV testing was conducted using literature reviews and the agreement of Korean experts for HIV patients using a two-round Delphi consensus technique. Each expert was asked to independently answer to each item related to HIV risk. Ten experts participated in the two-round survey. Results: The individual items were determined based on the following categories: high risk behavior, symptom and diseases, colo-rectal diseases, uro-genital diseases and gynecology, skin and oral diseases. The final guideline consisted of 4-scale agreement rating (strongly recommended, recommended, not routinely recommended, no recommendation for routine provision). Discussion: We have developed the guideline for HIV testing in a country where the HIV prevalence is low based on a systematic investigation and expert consensus.展开更多
Introduction: The present work compared the prediction power of the different data mining techniques used to develop the HIV testing prediction model. Four popular data mining algorithms (Decision tree, Naive Bayes, N...Introduction: The present work compared the prediction power of the different data mining techniques used to develop the HIV testing prediction model. Four popular data mining algorithms (Decision tree, Naive Bayes, Neural network, logistic regression) were used to build the model that predicts whether an individual was being tested for HIV among adults in Ethiopia using EDHS 2011. The final experimentation results indicated that the decision tree (random tree algorithm) performed the best with accuracy of 96%, the decision tree induction method (J48) came out to be the second best with a classification accuracy of 79%, followed by neural network (78%). Logistic regression has also achieved the least classification accuracy of 74%. Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the prediction power of the different data mining techniques used to develop the HIV testing prediction model. Methods: Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) was used to predict the model for HIV testing and explore association rules between HIV testing and the selected attributes. Data preprocessing was performed and missing values for the categorical variable were replaced by the modal value of the variable. Different data mining techniques were used to build the predictive model. Results: The target dataset contained 30,625 study participants. Out of which 16,515 (54%) participants were women while the rest 14,110 (46%) were men. The age of the participants in the dataset ranged from 15 to 59 years old with modal age of 15 - 19 years old. Among the study participants, 17,719 (58%) have never been tested for HIV while the rest 12,906 (42%) had been tested. Residence, educational level, wealth index, HIV related stigma, knowledge related to HIV, region, age group, risky sexual behaviour attributes, knowledge about where to test for HIV and knowledge on family planning through mass media were found to be predictors for HIV testing. Conclusion and Recommendation: The results obtained from this research reveal that data mining is crucial in extracting relevant information for the effective utilization of HIV testing services which has clinical, community and public health importance at all levels. It is vital to apply different data mining techniques for the same settings and compare the model performances (based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) with each other. Furthermore, this study would also invite interested researchers to explore more on the application of data mining techniques in healthcare industry or else in related and similar settings for the future.展开更多
Background: HIV testing and counseling (HTC) plays a central role in specific prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions, as these interventions depend on the woman knowing her HIV status. Over n...Background: HIV testing and counseling (HTC) plays a central role in specific prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions, as these interventions depend on the woman knowing her HIV status. Over ninety percent of HIV infection in children is acquired through mother-to-child transmission. Objectives: This study assessed pregnant women’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their awareness of HIV testing and counseling, and compared the uptake of HTC to the previously practiced voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A pre-tested, structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section survey of 270 antenatal clients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards HTC was elicited among respondents. Results: Eighty-nine percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS.?The knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 87.4% and 81.1% of studyparticipants mentioning sexual activity and mother-to-child transmission, respectively. Majority of respondents (98.9%) were aware of HTC and approved of it (91.1%) while 7.8% declined and the remaining 1.1% were undecided. Fourteen percent of respondents didn’t approve of retesting in labour. Sixty-eight percent of respondents were aware of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Switching from VCT to HTC has dramatically improved the uptake of testing from 78.9% in 2006 to 91.1% in 2012. Conclusion: Routine HIV testing and counseling is more acceptable than voluntary counseling and testing among antenatal clients. Although the awareness and uptake of HTC were quite high among the antenatal clients, there is still a need to intensify health education and incorporate husbands into the counseling session when necessary to convince the remaining minority who are still ignorant of the benefits of HTC.展开更多
Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV infection, to highlight HIV-testing refusal rates among participants in a population-based tuberculosis survey and to assess the implication for programme implementation.Meth...Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV infection, to highlight HIV-testing refusal rates among participants in a population-based tuberculosis survey and to assess the implication for programme implementation.Methods: This cross-sectional study on the characteristics of participants who refused HIV testing was conducted in a national survey in Zambia. All eligible participants were aged above 15 years and included in the analysis.Results: Out of the 44 791 tuberculosis survey participants, 14 164(31.6%) refused to participate in HIV testing. The unemployed, rural dwellers, married, and those aged 15-24 years were associated with higher refusal rates.Conclusions: Strategies to improve HIV testing acceptance are necessary. Qualitative research is recommended to understand the reasons for testing refusals so that remedial interventions can be implemented.展开更多
Introduction: HIV screening tests are routinely conducted on dialysis patients as the constant exposure of their blood during the dialysis process makes them a reasonable risk for blood-borne infections. However, in l...Introduction: HIV screening tests are routinely conducted on dialysis patients as the constant exposure of their blood during the dialysis process makes them a reasonable risk for blood-borne infections. However, in low prevalence settings, where HIV rates are <0.1% of the population, false positive results are more likely. This results in apprehension in the dialysis unit as breaches in infectious disease protocols could be presumed. This is illustrated in the case report below. Case Summary: A 62-year-old male Saudi end-stage kidney disease patient secondary to DM nephropathy began dialysis a year before presentation in a hemodialysis center in Saudi Arabia. Routine screening tests done at the start of dialysis revealed negative Hepatitis C, HIV 1 and 2 screening but a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen screen. The patient went for holiday dialysis at another facility and had a routine fourth-generation HIV test done which was positive. A confirmatory HIV PCR test was negative. Conclusion: This case highlights the need for caution in interpreting highly sensitive and specific HIV screening tests in a low-prevalence setting. Routine screening beyond the national recommendation may not be necessary in low-prevalence areas.展开更多
Knowledge on individual’s HIV/AIDS status provides a tool to reduce or avoid HIV transmission, spread and mortalities due to HIV-related illness. However, most people still do not know their HIV status because they a...Knowledge on individual’s HIV/AIDS status provides a tool to reduce or avoid HIV transmission, spread and mortalities due to HIV-related illness. However, most people still do not know their HIV status because they are not willing to test for HIV/AIDS due to various reasons. Hence the aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of various risk factors that are likely to influence decision to ever test for HIV/AIDS. The data used in this paper were obtained from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n = 1828 observations and 32 risk factors). We applied the Chi-Square test statistic and the logistic regression model to the data in order to study the effects of these risk factors on one’s decision to ever test for HIV. STATA version 14.1 and R version 3.5.2 were used to carry out the statistical analyses. Generally, the results show that education, especially higher education significantly (OR = 0.53, 95% = 0.230, 0.837) increases the likelihood to ever test for HIV. Also, the younger the age groups the higher the effect and significance in the likelihood to ever test for HIV. We found that HIV-TB co-infection (OR = 0.53, 95% = 0.165, 0.893), use of condom anytime one has sex (OR = 0.31, 95% = 0.054, 0.573), wealth index (OR = 0.46, 95% = 0.137, 0.791), awareness of HIV transmission during child-delivery, number of partners significantly affect HIV testing. Those with many partners are less likely (OR = -0.26, 95% = -0.504, -0.007) to ever test for HIV and those who know that healthy person may have HIV are more likely (OR = 0.41, 95% = 0.137, 0.679) to ever test for HIV. Age is the common significant risk factor of ever tested for HIV across the 10 regions in Ghana. Resources should be allocated for more education on these significant risk factors in order to help in the fight against HIV-Health related issues.展开更多
Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determi...Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections in pregnant women at Bangui Community University Hospital and the cost of screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving consenting pregnant women who came for antenatal care was performed. HIV, HCV antibodies and HBV antigens were detected using Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/HBsAg rapid test, cross-validated by ELISA tests. Sociodemographic and professional data, the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV and both hepatitis viruses were collected in a standard sheet and analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 7. Results: Pregnant women aged 15 to 24 were the most affected (45.3%);high school girls (46.0%), and pregnant women living in cohabitation (65.3%) were the most represented. Twenty-five (16.7%) worked in the formal sector, 12.7% were unemployed housewives and the remainder in the informal sector. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV viruses was 11.8%, 21.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The prevalence of co-infections was 8.6% for HIV-HBV, 10.2% for HIV-HCV, 14.7% for HBV-HCV and 6.5% for HIV-HBV-HCV. All positive results and 10% of negative results by the rapid test were confirmed by ELISA tests. The serology of the three viruses costs 39,000 FCFA (60 Euros) by ELISA compared to 10,000 FCFA (15.00 Euros) with Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/AgHBs (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France). Conclusion: The low level of education and awareness of hepatitis are barriers to development and indicate the importance of improving the literacy rate of women in the Central African Republic (CAR). Likewise, the high prevalence of the three viruses shows the need for the urgent establishment of a national program to combat viral hepatitis in the CAR.展开更多
HIV counseling and testing(HCT)has become paramount in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide.However,the uptake of HCT has been very slow globally,especially in sub-Saharan Africa.Student nurses formed the ...HIV counseling and testing(HCT)has become paramount in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide.However,the uptake of HCT has been very slow globally,especially in sub-Saharan Africa.Student nurses formed the largest group undergoing health care training in the country compared to doctors and other health cadres.According to WHO,they are part of the most vulnerable group to HIV infection,judging by the fact that they interact more with patients/clients than other healthcare professionals.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCT uptake,knowledge,and attitude and evaluate influencing factors among student nurses and midwives in public nursing schools.An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 305 randomly selected nursing students and midwives using a validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire.Descriptive statistics(percentages,mean and standard deviation)and inferential statistics(chi square,logistics regression,one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test)were used for data analysis using SPSS version 25.0.A p-value<0.05 was considered for statistical significance.Out of the 305 students recruited for the study,60.98%were females,with a mean age of 25.5 years old.About 58.4%of the participants had tested for HIV in the past.About 95.7%acknowledged the importance of HCT in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.HCT uptake among student nurses and midwives was influenced by factors ranging from an individual that are interpersonal challenges(such as concerns of friends),perceived susceptibility to the disease,lack of confidentiality,stigma and discrimination from health service providers.Therefore,these barriers can be addressed through an organized targeted health education intervention and advocacy programs across health training institutions in the Gambia and beyond.展开更多
文摘Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living with HIV. As such adoption of screening tools during targeted HIV testing services improves efficiency by identifying individuals who are likely to test positive. Effective utilization of screening tools requires an understanding of health care worker perception and willingness to use the tools. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among healthcare workers at 8 selected primary healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe. Interviewer-guided, in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and their immediate supervisors. Thematic analysis was performed following a framework built around the grounded theory model to describe perspectives that influence the utilization of HIV screening tools and suggestions for improved eligibility screening. Results: Behavioural factors facilitating the utilisation of the screening tool included motivation to adhere to standard practice, awareness of screening in targeting testing, and its ability to manage workload through screening out ineligible clients. This was evident across service delivery levels. Barriers included limited healthcare capacity, confidentiality space, multiple screening tools and opaque screening in/out criteria and the potential of clients not responding to screening questions truthfully. Conclusions: Across geographical and service delivery levels, placing screening tools at HIV testing entry points, healthcare worker knowledge on screening in/out criteria emerged as enablers for correct and consistent utilization. Further, standardizing the tools and adopting a decision aid algorithm would improve the accurate utilisation of screening tools.
文摘This article is about a report of the experiment of PRO/PET-Saúde students in the anti-HIV tests implementation in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The goal is to report the importance and discuss the aspects of the moment experienced above inside the basic health unit in the town of Santa Cruz-RN. The experience occurred in the months from February to March 2014 and they were conducted within 8 hours per week. This way, it is observed that the period lived made possible great reflection about the making of the examination in the pre-natal appointment routines, cataloguing challenges which come up during their adequacy within the services. Lastly, the action developed aimed for the aggregation of an active learning process in the search for a critical sense in the experienced practice, allowing and prioritizing the basic health unit as a scope of reference and counter-reference in the public health service, increasing concrete answers and the needs of the population, guaranteeing an adequate service delivery and strengthening the SUS more and more. The insertion of students through the PRO/PET-Saúde-Rede Cegonha enables a reorientation of professional formation, from the integration between service and teaching.
基金supported by the Wuxi Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission[MS201613,QNRC033,ZDXK009]Wuxi Municipal Bureau on Science and Technology[CSZ0N1512]Early Career Fellowship from Australian National Health and Medical Research Commission[APP1092621]
文摘Objective We aimed to elucidate the rates of repeat HIV testing and incident HIV diagnosis, and baseline CD4^+ T cell count among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Wuxi, China. Methods A repeat HIV testing within 12 months was recorded if individuals had their first test with negative results, during 2013-2014 and retested within 12 months. An incident HIV diagnosis was recorded if individuals had their first test with negative results, during 2013-2015 and had a subsequent positive result at any point by the end of 2015. Data on HIV testing and diagnosis among individuals attending 32 VCT clinics from 2013 to 2015 and HIV diagnosis from other clinical services in Wuxi, China, were retrieved. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze factors associated with repeat HIV testing. Cox regression was used to evaluate factors associated with incident HIV diagnosis. Results From 2013 to 2014, 11,504 individuals tested HIV negative at their first recorded test, with 655 (5.7%) retesting within 12 months. Higher repeat HIV testing within 12 months was associated with male gender [adjusted odds ratio (a OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-2.2], risk behaviors [commercial heterosexual behaviors (a OR = 1.4, CI: 1.1-1.6), male-male sexual behaviors (a OR = 3.7, CI: 2.7-4.9)], injection drug use (a OR = 9.9, CI: 6.5-15.1), and having taken HIV tests previously (a OR = 2.0, CI: 1.6-2.4). From 2013 to 2015, 1,088 individuals tested negative on HIV test at their visit and at ≥ 2 subsequent tests; of them 30 had incident HIV diagnosis. The overall rate of incident HIV diagnosis among all VCT individuals was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.1) per 100 person-years. Incident HIV diagnosis was associated with male gender [adjusted hazard ratio (a HR) = 8.5, 95% CI: 1.9-38.1], attending hospital-based VCT clinics (a HR = 7.8, 95% CI: 1.1-58.3), and male-male sexual behavior (a HR = 8.4, 95% CI: 1.5-46.7). Individuals diagnosed at VCT clinics had higher CD4+ T cell count compared with those diagnosed at other clinical services (median 407 vs. 326 copies/mm3, P = 0.003). Conclusion VCT individuals in Wuxi, China, had a low repeat HIV testing rate and high HIV incidence. VCT-clinic-based interventions aimed at increasing repeat HIV testing are needed to detect more cases at an earlier stage, especially among individuals at high risk for HIV infection such as men who have sex with men.
文摘Objective:To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing.Methods: The study was conducted at the theatres of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital among 123 nursing,anaesthetic,and operating staff.A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted with stratified sampling.The study instrument was a structured,self administered pro forma.Results:All respondents were all aware of HIV infection and all had transmission through infected blood and tissues(100.0%).88.6%had infection through needle stick injuries, 62.6%through vertical transmission,and 98.4%through blood transfusion.Sixty three percent of respondents correctly knew what preoperative testing was,while 58.5%were aware of the preoperative testing policy of the hospital.All respondents favoured the policy of preoperative testing.Attitudinal values to seropositive patients were not very different as 72.4%of respondents claimed they treated every patient as high risk,and all respondents used personal protective equipment.Conclusions:Routine HIV testing now represents a conventional means providing patients with knowledge of their HIV status.Such testing should be accompanied by informed consent,counselling,confidentiality,protection,and access to treatment.
文摘Background: Epidemiological data from each country can differ between cities and regions, for instance morbidity in HIV infection is four times higher in the south-west of Poland than in the east parts. Newly infected people are five times more often reported in the central part of our country than in the south-east. Methods: We assessed the main reasons for providing HIV tests among HIV-positive patients of The Department of Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies at the Medical University of Warsaw in comparison with the epidemiological situation in Poland. We designed a survey with baseline data and questions about the reasons for and place of HIV testing. Results: The main reason for HIV testing is risky sexual contacts, not intravenous drug use like several years ago. The main places where HIV infection is detected are hospitals, outpatients’ clinics and consultative and diagnostic points (PCDs). Conclusion: Our results are not strictly the same like in our Polish national data or data of the PCD’s but can give new epidemiologic insights into our patients’ situation.
文摘Background: The Department of Experimental Medicine functions as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for HIV testing covering 11 Medical Colleges (State Reference Laboratories SRL) & 723 subcenters i.e. Integrated Counseling & Testing Centres and Blood Banks. The External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) in NRL implements Quality Control (QC) Testing, Proficiency panel testing and training programs. Materials & Method: 9419 samples (4393 HIV negative/5026 HIV positive) were tested for QC. All the samples were tested using HIV rapid test (CombAids) and HIV positives alone were tested using Tridot and EIA Comb. The QC samples consisted of 20% negative and all positives. All the 723 subcenters were provided with 5 coded plasma samples (3 reactive & 2 negative) for proficiency testing using rapid tests. The aliquot panel (500 μl) were provided twice a year for testing to monitor the laboratory performance. Results: Out of 9419 samples tested for QC, 9371 (99.49%) reported correct results and 48 (0.50%) discordant results. Out of 48 samples 26 (0.27%) were false positives and 22 (0.23%) false negative. Mislabeling, sample contamination, leaking vials, transcriptional errors, tests that were not performed correctly were identified. For proficiency testing 91.8% reported test results. 645 (97.13%) reported correct results & 19 (2.86%) incorrect results. Out of 19 samples 7 (1.05%) were false positive & 12 (1.80%) were false negative. Hands on training were provided and the 19 discordant centers reported correct results on retesting. Conclusion: Significant progress in establishing a well coordinated HIV Laboratory network of NRL and SRLs had been developed. However the HIV testing and Quality Assurance needs to be strengthened towards certification.
文摘Background: HIV Testing Services (HTS) is a full range of services (e.g. counselling and post-test referrals) that are offered together with HIV testing. It is an important prevention strategy and the gateway to treatment. The national targets in 2016 were to test 1.1 million people of which 54% was achieved. We determined trends of HTS in Zimbabwe from 2007 to 2016. Methods: A secondary dataset analysis was conducted using National Aids Council Core-Output Indicators dataset. Variables captured include total and repeat tests, counselling and referrals. Microsoft excel and Epi Info was used to generate frequencies, percentages and conduct chi square test for trends. Panda-Class Libraries was to attain estimates of HTS uptake till 2020. We used χ2 and p-values for statistical significance. Results: All (10,847.223) records were analysed. HIV tests per year increased from 340,705 in 2007, to 1,974,795 in 2015 (χ2 0.10492, p-value 0.74615). In 2007, 31% (n = 106,884) clients tested positive whilst in 2016 only 7% (n = 121,196) were positive (χ2 0.01166, p-value 0.91402). The 25 - 49 year age-group tested consistently highest throughout the 10year period (χ2 0.0558 p-value 0.813). The 15 - 24 year age-group had the highest yield (11% in 2015). Females (χ2 0.1074, p-value 0.743) consistently tested higher than males (χ2 0.0614, p-value 0.804). From 2007 to 2013 women had higher yields but by September 2016 males had a higher positivity of 8% (p-value χ2 0.658 p-value = 0.417). We estimate that 179,935 people living with HIV will know their status by 2020. Conclusion: HIV tests in Zimbabwe have increased but yield has decreased. Increase in repeat tests may be an indication of exhaustion of particular HTS strategies. Following this analysis it was recommended that HTS utilize various models such as HIV self-test to cater for populations with high yields.
文摘Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a guideline for HIV testing in South Korea where the HIV prevalence is very low. It is necessary to make the recommendations presented here based on the epidemiology of opportunistic infection and cancer in the community. Methods: The development of a guideline for HIV testing was conducted using literature reviews and the agreement of Korean experts for HIV patients using a two-round Delphi consensus technique. Each expert was asked to independently answer to each item related to HIV risk. Ten experts participated in the two-round survey. Results: The individual items were determined based on the following categories: high risk behavior, symptom and diseases, colo-rectal diseases, uro-genital diseases and gynecology, skin and oral diseases. The final guideline consisted of 4-scale agreement rating (strongly recommended, recommended, not routinely recommended, no recommendation for routine provision). Discussion: We have developed the guideline for HIV testing in a country where the HIV prevalence is low based on a systematic investigation and expert consensus.
文摘Introduction: The present work compared the prediction power of the different data mining techniques used to develop the HIV testing prediction model. Four popular data mining algorithms (Decision tree, Naive Bayes, Neural network, logistic regression) were used to build the model that predicts whether an individual was being tested for HIV among adults in Ethiopia using EDHS 2011. The final experimentation results indicated that the decision tree (random tree algorithm) performed the best with accuracy of 96%, the decision tree induction method (J48) came out to be the second best with a classification accuracy of 79%, followed by neural network (78%). Logistic regression has also achieved the least classification accuracy of 74%. Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the prediction power of the different data mining techniques used to develop the HIV testing prediction model. Methods: Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) was used to predict the model for HIV testing and explore association rules between HIV testing and the selected attributes. Data preprocessing was performed and missing values for the categorical variable were replaced by the modal value of the variable. Different data mining techniques were used to build the predictive model. Results: The target dataset contained 30,625 study participants. Out of which 16,515 (54%) participants were women while the rest 14,110 (46%) were men. The age of the participants in the dataset ranged from 15 to 59 years old with modal age of 15 - 19 years old. Among the study participants, 17,719 (58%) have never been tested for HIV while the rest 12,906 (42%) had been tested. Residence, educational level, wealth index, HIV related stigma, knowledge related to HIV, region, age group, risky sexual behaviour attributes, knowledge about where to test for HIV and knowledge on family planning through mass media were found to be predictors for HIV testing. Conclusion and Recommendation: The results obtained from this research reveal that data mining is crucial in extracting relevant information for the effective utilization of HIV testing services which has clinical, community and public health importance at all levels. It is vital to apply different data mining techniques for the same settings and compare the model performances (based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) with each other. Furthermore, this study would also invite interested researchers to explore more on the application of data mining techniques in healthcare industry or else in related and similar settings for the future.
文摘Background: HIV testing and counseling (HTC) plays a central role in specific prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions, as these interventions depend on the woman knowing her HIV status. Over ninety percent of HIV infection in children is acquired through mother-to-child transmission. Objectives: This study assessed pregnant women’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their awareness of HIV testing and counseling, and compared the uptake of HTC to the previously practiced voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A pre-tested, structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section survey of 270 antenatal clients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards HTC was elicited among respondents. Results: Eighty-nine percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS.?The knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 87.4% and 81.1% of studyparticipants mentioning sexual activity and mother-to-child transmission, respectively. Majority of respondents (98.9%) were aware of HTC and approved of it (91.1%) while 7.8% declined and the remaining 1.1% were undecided. Fourteen percent of respondents didn’t approve of retesting in labour. Sixty-eight percent of respondents were aware of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Switching from VCT to HTC has dramatically improved the uptake of testing from 78.9% in 2006 to 91.1% in 2012. Conclusion: Routine HIV testing and counseling is more acceptable than voluntary counseling and testing among antenatal clients. Although the awareness and uptake of HTC were quite high among the antenatal clients, there is still a need to intensify health education and incorporate husbands into the counseling session when necessary to convince the remaining minority who are still ignorant of the benefits of HTC.
基金Supported by the government of the Republic of Zambia(GRZ) through Ministry of Health(budget support)United States Government(USG)through USAID and CDC Zambia,Grant U2GPS001792
文摘Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV infection, to highlight HIV-testing refusal rates among participants in a population-based tuberculosis survey and to assess the implication for programme implementation.Methods: This cross-sectional study on the characteristics of participants who refused HIV testing was conducted in a national survey in Zambia. All eligible participants were aged above 15 years and included in the analysis.Results: Out of the 44 791 tuberculosis survey participants, 14 164(31.6%) refused to participate in HIV testing. The unemployed, rural dwellers, married, and those aged 15-24 years were associated with higher refusal rates.Conclusions: Strategies to improve HIV testing acceptance are necessary. Qualitative research is recommended to understand the reasons for testing refusals so that remedial interventions can be implemented.
文摘Introduction: HIV screening tests are routinely conducted on dialysis patients as the constant exposure of their blood during the dialysis process makes them a reasonable risk for blood-borne infections. However, in low prevalence settings, where HIV rates are <0.1% of the population, false positive results are more likely. This results in apprehension in the dialysis unit as breaches in infectious disease protocols could be presumed. This is illustrated in the case report below. Case Summary: A 62-year-old male Saudi end-stage kidney disease patient secondary to DM nephropathy began dialysis a year before presentation in a hemodialysis center in Saudi Arabia. Routine screening tests done at the start of dialysis revealed negative Hepatitis C, HIV 1 and 2 screening but a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen screen. The patient went for holiday dialysis at another facility and had a routine fourth-generation HIV test done which was positive. A confirmatory HIV PCR test was negative. Conclusion: This case highlights the need for caution in interpreting highly sensitive and specific HIV screening tests in a low-prevalence setting. Routine screening beyond the national recommendation may not be necessary in low-prevalence areas.
文摘Knowledge on individual’s HIV/AIDS status provides a tool to reduce or avoid HIV transmission, spread and mortalities due to HIV-related illness. However, most people still do not know their HIV status because they are not willing to test for HIV/AIDS due to various reasons. Hence the aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of various risk factors that are likely to influence decision to ever test for HIV/AIDS. The data used in this paper were obtained from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n = 1828 observations and 32 risk factors). We applied the Chi-Square test statistic and the logistic regression model to the data in order to study the effects of these risk factors on one’s decision to ever test for HIV. STATA version 14.1 and R version 3.5.2 were used to carry out the statistical analyses. Generally, the results show that education, especially higher education significantly (OR = 0.53, 95% = 0.230, 0.837) increases the likelihood to ever test for HIV. Also, the younger the age groups the higher the effect and significance in the likelihood to ever test for HIV. We found that HIV-TB co-infection (OR = 0.53, 95% = 0.165, 0.893), use of condom anytime one has sex (OR = 0.31, 95% = 0.054, 0.573), wealth index (OR = 0.46, 95% = 0.137, 0.791), awareness of HIV transmission during child-delivery, number of partners significantly affect HIV testing. Those with many partners are less likely (OR = -0.26, 95% = -0.504, -0.007) to ever test for HIV and those who know that healthy person may have HIV are more likely (OR = 0.41, 95% = 0.137, 0.679) to ever test for HIV. Age is the common significant risk factor of ever tested for HIV across the 10 regions in Ghana. Resources should be allocated for more education on these significant risk factors in order to help in the fight against HIV-Health related issues.
文摘Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections in pregnant women at Bangui Community University Hospital and the cost of screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving consenting pregnant women who came for antenatal care was performed. HIV, HCV antibodies and HBV antigens were detected using Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/HBsAg rapid test, cross-validated by ELISA tests. Sociodemographic and professional data, the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV and both hepatitis viruses were collected in a standard sheet and analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 7. Results: Pregnant women aged 15 to 24 were the most affected (45.3%);high school girls (46.0%), and pregnant women living in cohabitation (65.3%) were the most represented. Twenty-five (16.7%) worked in the formal sector, 12.7% were unemployed housewives and the remainder in the informal sector. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV viruses was 11.8%, 21.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The prevalence of co-infections was 8.6% for HIV-HBV, 10.2% for HIV-HCV, 14.7% for HBV-HCV and 6.5% for HIV-HBV-HCV. All positive results and 10% of negative results by the rapid test were confirmed by ELISA tests. The serology of the three viruses costs 39,000 FCFA (60 Euros) by ELISA compared to 10,000 FCFA (15.00 Euros) with Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/AgHBs (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France). Conclusion: The low level of education and awareness of hepatitis are barriers to development and indicate the importance of improving the literacy rate of women in the Central African Republic (CAR). Likewise, the high prevalence of the three viruses shows the need for the urgent establishment of a national program to combat viral hepatitis in the CAR.
文摘HIV counseling and testing(HCT)has become paramount in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS worldwide.However,the uptake of HCT has been very slow globally,especially in sub-Saharan Africa.Student nurses formed the largest group undergoing health care training in the country compared to doctors and other health cadres.According to WHO,they are part of the most vulnerable group to HIV infection,judging by the fact that they interact more with patients/clients than other healthcare professionals.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCT uptake,knowledge,and attitude and evaluate influencing factors among student nurses and midwives in public nursing schools.An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from 305 randomly selected nursing students and midwives using a validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire.Descriptive statistics(percentages,mean and standard deviation)and inferential statistics(chi square,logistics regression,one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test)were used for data analysis using SPSS version 25.0.A p-value<0.05 was considered for statistical significance.Out of the 305 students recruited for the study,60.98%were females,with a mean age of 25.5 years old.About 58.4%of the participants had tested for HIV in the past.About 95.7%acknowledged the importance of HCT in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.HCT uptake among student nurses and midwives was influenced by factors ranging from an individual that are interpersonal challenges(such as concerns of friends),perceived susceptibility to the disease,lack of confidentiality,stigma and discrimination from health service providers.Therefore,these barriers can be addressed through an organized targeted health education intervention and advocacy programs across health training institutions in the Gambia and beyond.