The Role of Library and Information Science Education in the Development of Community Health Information Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Directors and Managers of Public Libraries

This article identifies the role of library and information science (LIS) education in the development of community health information services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Preliminary findings are presented from semi- structured qualitative interviews that were conducted with eleven directors and managers of local branches in the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) System that is located in the East Tennessee region in the United States. Select feedback reported by research participants is summarized in the article about strategies in LIS education that can help local public librarians and others in their efforts to become more responsive information providers to PLWHA. Research findings help better understand the issues and concerns regarding the development of digital and non-digital health information services for PLWHA in local public library institutions.

Associations of PNPLA3 and LEP genetic polymorphisms with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in Thai people living with human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is a growing public health issue in people living with human immunodeficiency virus(PLWH).However,the pathophysiology of MAFLD is still unknown,and the role of genetic variables is only now becoming evident.AIM To evaluate the associations of gene-polymorphism-related MAFLD in PLWH.METHODS The study employed transient elastography with a controlled attenuation parameter≥248 dB/m to identify MAFLD in patients from a Super Tertiary Hospital in central Thailand.Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were genotyped using TaqMan®MGB probe 5'nuclease assays for seven MAFLD-related genes.Statistical analyses included SNP frequency analysis,Fisher's Exact and Chi-square tests,odds ratio calculations,and multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS The G-allele carriers of PNPLA3(rs738409)exhibited a two-fold rise in MAFLD,increasing by 2.5 times in MAFLD with human immunodeficiency virus infection.The clinical features and genetic patterns imply that LEP rs7799039 A-allele carriers had a nine times(P=0.001)more significant chance of developing aberrant triglyceride among PLWH.CONCLUSION The current study shows an association between PNPLA3 rs738409 and LEP rs7799039 with MAFLD in PLWH.

Assessment of the Level of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice with Regard to Care of People Living with HIV/AIDS among Nursing and Midwifery Students in Fako, Cameroon

Due to the chronic shortage of health personnel, nurses and midwives now play a fundamental role in the care and treatment of people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHIV) in Cameroon. This study was therefore designed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to care of PLHIV among nursing and midwifery students in Fako division of Cameroon. A survey was performed between May and July 2015, among 227 nursing and midwifery students (in their second to final year of study), selected from 8 government accredited training institutions in Fako division of Cameroon. An anonymous self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The Pearson’s chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusting for possible confounders were all performed as part of the statistical analyses. The cutoff of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Nursing and midwifery students had a moderate level of HIV/AIDS knowledge (average score of 7.02 on a scale of 11). Attitude towards PLHIV was generally positive (68.7%) but there were some misconceptions and prejudice about PLHIV, with considerable stigmatization (31.3%), unwillingness to share a room with someone infected with HIV (27.7%), and unwillingness to work on PLHIV (23.8%). Good HIV/AIDS knowledge was observed to be the sole independent predictor (p = 0.004) of positive attitude towards PLHIV. Fur-thermore the confidence of the respondents regarding care of PLHIV was generally moderate. Our results suggest the need for the development of a more appropriate education program in nursing and midwifery institutions in Fako division to reduce the discrepancies between the general knowledge, attitude and practice regarding care of PLHIV.

Stigma and Discrimination against People Living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi

A study was conducted to explore stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV and AIDS who were on home based care in the Lilongwe district of Malawi. The study design was descriptive through sectional and utilized qualitative data collection and analysis method. Fifteen people living with HIV and AIDS, aged between 15 and 60 years were purposively sampled from three organizations, which were: Light House, National Association for people living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi and Lilongwe Diocese. Qualitative data were collected using an open ended interview guide during in-depth face to face interviews with the participants. The data were analysed using ATLAS. ti 5.0. Results show that all the participants were facing stigma and discrimination because they were living with HIV and AIDS. Distant relatives were the main source of stigma and discrimination followed by friends and church members. Most participants indicated that they felt they were discriminated because HIV infection is associated with bad behaviours such as prostitution or promiscuity. However some of them complained that they contracted the virus from their married partners and hence they did not deserve to be stigmatized or discriminated against. Results show that there is a need for creation of awareness among community members on the transmission of HIV and the need for home based care for the chronically ill people living with HIV and AIDS.

Relationship between Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) Uptake among Young People in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between sexual risk behavior and HIV counselling and testing uptake among young people in Nigeria. Probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 10,091 respondents (ages 15 to 24 years) for the study. The multistage cluster sampling was used to select suitable young people with known probability. Data were collected throughout Nigeria between September and December 2012 from 32,543 households (rural = 22,192;urban = 10,351) using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The data were summed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages;measures of central tendencies were used to answer the research question while nonparametric test such as chi-square was used to analyze non-normally distributed data at 0.5 level of significance. Results of data analysis indicated that sexual risk behaviors comprised three variables: sex with multiple partners, intergenerational sex (sex with partners 10 years older), and transactional sex. The results of the chi-square test of association between sex with multiple partners and HCT uptake showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between sex with multiple partners and HCT uptake among young people ages 15 to 24 years in Nigeria. It was among others recommended that sexually active young people in Nigeria should use protection against HIV infection.

Relationship between HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) Awareness and HCT Uptake among Young People in Nigeria: Implications for Social Change

This study examined the relationship between HIV counselling and testing (HCT) awareness and HCT uptake among young people in Nigeria and their implications for social change. The study is a quantitative research guided by one research question and one hypothesis. The target population comprised young people in Nigeria ages 15 to 24 years because the focus of this study was to identify the factors affecting HCT uptake among young people in this age cohort. The representative sample was obtained from the updated master sample frame of rural and urban zones developed by the National Population Commission in Nigeria. This master sample frame was a national survey that comprised all 36 states in Nigeria. Probability sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 10,091 respondents (ages 15 to 24 years) for the study. The multistage cluster sampling was used to select suitable young people with known probability. Data were collected throughout Nigeria between September and December 2012 from 32,543 households (rural = 22,192;urban = 10,351) using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The individual questionnaires asked about household characteristics, background characteristics of the respondents. Data were analyzed by inputting them into SPSS v21.0 for analysis and then coded them for each participant. The data were summed using descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages;measures of central tendencies were used to answer the research question while nonparametric tests such as chi-square were used to analyze non-normally distributed data at 0.5 level of significance. The results of the chi-square test of association between HCT awareness and HCT uptake showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between HCT awareness and HCT uptake among young people ages 15 to 24 years in Nigeria, X2 (1, n = 8916) = 306.66, p < 0.001. In other words, knowledge of the availability of HCT services may have influenced the possibility that the participants would use them. Among others, it was recommended that government should examine the efficacy of HCT treatments in Nigeria, along with conducting a demographic analysis of the at-risk population.

Evaluation of Quality of Healthcare Service Avaeilable to People Living with HIVIAIDS： Evidence from Enugu State

The study evaluated the quality of healthcare services given to PLWHA （people living with HIV/AIDS） in different communities of Enugu State of Nigeria. Descriptive cross sectional survey design was employed for the study. The participants were PLWHA attending health facilities in different communities in the state. A sample of 180 PLWHA who participated in the study were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure and were interviewed at community level. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that 82.2% of the respondents were cared for by government health facilities, 75% were of the opinion that the health workers in those places do not discriminate against them, 81.7% felt that they were being given high quality healthcare, 82.8% stated that their drugs were readily available, 75% were of the opinion that the physical facilities in their care centers were adequate, 84.4% felt that grievance redressing were good while 90% felt that their healthcare providers maintain confidentiality about their conditions. It was concluded from the findings that quality of care provided to PLWHA in communities was of good quality as perceived by PLWHA and that the national antiretroviral programmes are making drugs available and affordable in the state. It was then recommended that all levels of government in the nation should strengthen the programmes on HIV prevention and control to maintain the continuity of care to PLWHA.

Epidemiology of Lower Extremity Artery Disease in People Living with HIV Followed at the Departmental University Hospital Center Ouémé-Plateau in 2019

Introduction: Lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is a serious cardiovascular disease. People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of LEAD and identify the associated factors among people living with HIV who were followed at the departmental university hospital Ouémé-Plateau in Benin. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. It included all HIV-infected people who were monitored at the department of medicine of the target hospital during the study period and met the inclusion criteria (followed for at least three months, aged at least 25 years, and having given their written consent to participate). Data were collected during an individual interview, followed by the measurement of parameters. The ankle brachial index ≤ 0.9 was used for the diagnosis of LEAD. Associated factors were searched through a multivariable logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of LEAD was 34.2% among 222 respondents having a mean age was 42.9 ± 10.8 years and a female predominance (77.5%). No significant association was found between the presence of LEAD and sociodemographic factors. The presence of LEAD was significantly associated with hypertension and antiretroviral therapy. Hypertensive patients had a higher risk of LEAD compared to non-hypertensive patients (OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.04-3.83], p = 0.037). Those who were receiving second-line therapy also had a higher risk of LEAD compared to those on first-line therapy (OR = 2.95, 95% CI [1.14-7.60], p = 0.025). Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of LEAD especially among hypertensive patients and those who were receiving second-line antiretroviral therapy. LEAD diagnosis and management should be included in the routine care of people living with HIV in Benin.

The Prevalence of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Abia State

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and transmitted from person to person, through inhalation of droplet nuclei aerosolized by coughing of an infected person. It reached epidemic proportions in Europe and North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. The incubation period is 2 - 6 weeks and the control has been complicated with emergence of HIV and drug-resistant TB. In 1993, World Health Organization (WHO) declared TB a global emergency. However, despite the concerted effort of National TB control programs, adoption and implementation of Stop TB strategy, TB has remained a major public health challenge with high mortality rate, especially in developing countries. Methodology: This is a descriptive study, evaluated using the positivist/quantitative approach. The study was conducted at FederalMedical Centre Umuahia, a tertiary specialist hospital with comprehensive TB/HIV treatment services. All the presumptive drug-resistant TB cases and symptomatic PLHIV were screened for HIV and their sputum specimens were tested for tuberculosis using the Gene xpert and the Ziehl- Neelsen technique for detecting Acid Fast bacilli. A pretested structured questionnaire was used tocollect the demographic data and other essential data from the presumptive TB and laboratory registers such as total number of TB presumptive cases registered HIV status, AFB status and rifampicin status within the study period. Result: A total of 493 presumptive TB cases were screened in the study, 49.9% were HIV positive while 50.05% were HIV negative. More so, 77.85% of thescreened cases were AFB negative and 22.15% were AFB positive. Moreover, 11% of the TB/HIV co-infected patients were rifampicin positive. Interestingly among the 493 cases screened with gene xpert machine, 3.6% were rifampicin positive. Furthermore, 3.6% of the HIV negative cases were rifampicin positive while 1.6% of the HIV positive cases were rifampicin positive. Discussion: The data depict lower rifampicin resistance among HIV positive cases than HIV negative cases. The implication for public health professionals is to intensify equitable and unbiased search for resistant TB cases among smear negative and positive cases.

Can People Living With HIVIAIDS Be Teachers?

HIV is still a sensitive topic in China,which was once again thrust into the spotlight in September when a young aspiring teacher launched a lawsuit against local authorities in southwest China’s Guizhou Province for employment discrimination. The candidate,who went by the alias Xiao Hai,tested positive for HIV during a mandatory employment medical examination

People With HIV Now Live a Better Life

As a UN Volunteer, working with UNAIDS China, I have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of areas. From working with community-based organizations, set up by people living with HIV to interacting with the media on topics related to HIV/AIDS to sup- porting campaigns to fight HIV/AIDS- related discrimination in the workplace, I get to do it all.

Psychometric Properties of the Greek-University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale-Version 3 in a Sample of People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Aims: The aim of this study was to validate the Greek translation of the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) in Greek adults with HIV. Methods: The UCLA Loneliness scale (version 3) was administered to 140 people with HIV. Participants also completed the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (G-HADS). Validity and reliability analyses were performed. Results: The Cronbach’s α coefficient for the total UCLA score was 0.9. Test-retest reliability analysis in a subgroup of patients (n = 40) revealed good short-term stability over a 2-week interval (ICC 0.8 - 0.9, p < 0.0005). Exploratory factor analysis generated a three factors structure for the Greek translation. Convergent validity was supported through the scale’s high correlations with G-HADS anxiety (0.382, p < 0.01) and depression (0.524, p < 0.005). Conclusion: The Greek UCLA Loneliness scale (version 3) is a valid and reliable instrument that can be usefully implemented into clinical practice in order to diagnose and treat loneliness among the Greek HIV positive patients.

HIV/AIDS患者ART过程中高三酰甘油血症、高胆固醇血症、高血糖发生情况及其影响因素

目的探讨艾滋病病毒感染(HIV/AIDS)者在抗逆转录病毒治疗(antiretroviral therapy,ART)过程中高三酰甘油血症(三酰甘油≥2.3 mmol/L)、高胆固醇血症(总胆固醇≥6.2 mmol/L)、高血糖(空腹血糖≥6.10 mmol/L)的发生情况及其可能影响因素。方法采用回顾性队列研究,收集广州市某传染病专科医院2004-2019年期间首次接受ART的HIV/AIDS患者基线和随访数据。采用多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析高三酰甘油血症、高胆固醇血症、高血糖发生的可能影响因素。结果HIV/AIDS患者8839例。在ART过程中,新发高三酰甘油血症4255例(48.14%),高胆固醇症1234例(13.96%),高血糖2647名(29.95%),总发病密度分别为28.12/100人年、5.11/100人年和14.22/100人年。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型结果显示,基线BMI、开始ART年份、基线WHO临床分期、基线机会性感染、临床症状种类数、初始ART方案、基线CD4细胞计数与高三酰甘油血症的发生有关;性别、年龄、基线BMI、开始ART年份、基线WHO临床分期、基线机会性感染、初始ART方案、基线CD4细胞计数与高胆固醇症的发生有关;性别、年龄、基线BMI、开始ART年份、感染途径、基线机会性感染、基线CD4细胞计数与高血糖的发生有关。结论HIV/AIDS患者ART过程中易发生高三酰甘油血症、高胆固醇血症、高血糖,应动态监测患者的血脂、血糖情况,尤其是对采用含克力芝方案治疗的患者,以期对高风险患者及时进行早期干预,调整治疗方案,预防心血管疾病等慢性非传染性疾病的发生,提高患者生命质量。

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: HIV-HBV co-infection is a major public health problem that has not been sufficiently explored in the Central African workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HIV-HBV co-infection among people who living with HIV (PLHIV) in the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de lAmiti Sino-Centrafricaine in Bangui. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021 in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at the Amiti Sino-Centrafricaine University Hospital. It included the files of all PLHIV, which included the results of HBV serology. A standardized form was used to collect socio-demographic and professional data by documentary review. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 7 software. Means, proportions were calculated as well as Chi square witch was significant if p-value was below 0.05. Results: The study included 265 patients, 188 were women (70.1%) and 77 men (29.1%), giving a sex ratio of 0.45. Mean age was 35.8 years, higher in men (40 years) than in women (35.8 years) (p 0.0001). The age groups 25 to 34 (37.7%) and 35 to 44 (33.6%) were in the majority (71.3%). The majority of PLHIV were unemployed (57.1%), including housewives (43.0%). HBV prevalence was 14.3%, including 7.2% among the unemployed, who account for half of all co-infections. The search for associations between HIV-HBV co-infection and all socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status) and socio-professional categories showed no significant difference (p 0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV were predominantly young adults, female, and unemployed;no occupation was significantly associated with co-infection. The vast majority of co-infected people were not covered by the occupational health system (unemployed or informal sector). Urgent action is needed to improve workers access to occupational medicine in CAR.

HIV感染者/AIDS患者衰弱状况及影响因素分析

目的了解人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染/艾滋病(AIDS)患者(PLWHA)衰弱现状及其影响因素。方法选取2019年6—8月长沙市某医院≥18岁的PLWHA作为研究对象,采用自行编制的问卷以及蒂尔堡衰弱量表分别评估研究对象的基本情况以及衰弱情况。结果PLWHA衰弱发生率为26.4%,logistics回归分析显示,感染年限>5年的患者发生衰弱的风险为感染年限≤5年患者的2.33倍(95%CI:1.24~4.37,P=0.009);最高HIV载量≥10万拷贝/mL患者发生衰弱的风险为最高HIV载量<10万拷贝/mL患者的1.40倍(95%CI:1.05~1.85,P=0.022);CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞计数<200个/mm 3的患者发生衰弱的风险为CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞计数≥200个/mm 3患者的3.60倍(95%CI:1.96~6.62,P<0.001)。结论HIV感染年限越长、当前CD4^(+)T淋巴细胞计数越低、HIV载量越高的PLWHA更容易发生衰弱。

2012-2022年河北口岸出入境人员新发现HIV感染者多指标检测结果分析

目的 回顾性分析河北口岸2012-2022年新发现艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者实验室多指标结果,为开展艾滋病防治提供依据。方法 采集新发现HIV抗体阳性感染者和健康对照静脉血,进行血常规、血清总蛋白、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、尿素氮、肌酐、乳酸脱氢酶、钙、磷、血沉、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8、免疫球蛋白和补体C3测定,并对检测结果进行统计分析。结果 68例HIV感染者中男性数量明显超过了女性,30~50岁年龄段人群的感染率相对较高,职业特征显示为劳务人员HIV感染率最高,性接触仍旧是出入境人员最常见的感染方式。血液细胞检测显示,血沉异常率为100%,CD4/CD8异常率高达91.18%,明显出现T细胞亚群倒置现象。生化检测显示,总蛋白(76.47%)、ALT(72.06%)、AST(77.94%)异常率均大于70%。CD4细胞绝对值每微升201~1 700个,均值每微升473.15个。HIV感染后,不同年份组间CD4细胞计数无显著性差异(P>0.05);不同年龄和性别组间CD4细胞计数有显著性差异(P<0.05);轻度以上免疫缺陷率88.24%,不同年份组间免疫缺陷无显著性差异(P>0.05);不同年龄和性别组间免疫缺陷有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论HIV感染者中男性明显超过了女性,尤其是男性同性伴侣者。感染HIV血液细胞和生化检测指标均会出现不同程度的异常,CD4+T淋巴细胞水平、免疫缺陷程度与性别、年龄有关,与感染年份无关。应密切关注高危人群及高危传播途径,广泛开展线上或线下的健康宣教,推广安全套的使用,提高患者自身防护意识,减少艾滋病传播。

HIV感染者生命质量影响因素研究进展

在人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)感染者预期寿命不断延长的过程中,其生理、心理、社会环境等方面受到不同程度的侵害,HIV感染者的生命质量普遍低于一般人群。影响HIV感染者生命质量的因素包括地区差异、人口学、临床与疾病、心理、社会等因素。本文通过检索公开发表的国内外关于HIV感染者生命质量相关的文献,对HIV感染者生命质量现状及影响因素进行总结,为后期开展HIV感染者生命质量研究提供参考。

HIV感染者/AIDS患者情绪问题及其相关因素分析

目的:了解长沙市新确认的HIV感染者/AIDS患者情绪问题发生现状并分析其相关因素,为更好地开展该人群的精神卫生服务提供基础数据。方法:将2013年3月1日至2014年2月28日在长沙市艾滋病综合防治信息系统中新确认登记的、符合入组条件的感染者/患者作为连续样本,在知情同意的原则下,采用病人健康问卷抑郁量表(PHQ-9)、广泛性焦虑量表(GAD-7)、社会支持评定量表(SSRS)及艾滋病压力量表(HIV/AIDS Stress Scale)进行调查。结果:370例HIV感染者/AIDS患者的抑郁阳性率为40.3%(PHQ-9≥10分),焦虑阳性率为30.5%(GAD-7≥10分)。重度抑郁症状(PHQ-9≥20分)及重度焦虑症状(GAD-7≥15分)分别占8.1%,14.3%。分层回归分析结果显示:工作状况(b=–3.407,P<0.001;b=–2.799,P=0.001)、性取向(b=1.903,P=0.008;b=1.314,P=0.034)、居住情况(b=–1.995,P=0.012;b=–2.167,P=0.002)、出现HIV感染相关症状(b=4.578,P<0.001;b=3.652,P<0.001)、艾滋病相关压力(b=0.081,P<0.001;b=0.090,P<0.001)是HIV感染者/AIDS患者抑郁、焦虑情绪的预测因子,社会支持(b=–0.046,P=0.044)是抑郁情绪的预测因子,并且抑郁(ΔR2=55.8%,P<0.001)、焦虑(ΔR2=54.7%,P<0.001)互为强显著预测因子。结论:在新确认的HIV感染者/AIDS患者中,抑郁、焦虑等情绪问题较为严重,在对该人群进行登记管理的同时应考虑提供必要的心理社会支持及基本的精神卫生服务。

HIV感染者/AIDS病人心理状况及生活质量调查

目的 了解 HIV感染者 /AIDS病人的心理状况、生活质量及其相关因素。方法 选择四川省 HIV感染率和 AIDS患病率较高的两个县 (资中县和凉山州昭觉县 )作为目标社区 ,在目标社区内共计调查了 71名 HIV感染者 /AIDS病人和 97名健康者 ,选用抑郁自评量表 (SDS)、焦虑自评量表 (SAS)、生活质量综合评定问卷(GQOL I- 74 )、社会支持评定量表 (SSS)及自制的一般情况记录表收集相关资料 ,对数据进行统计学分析。结果 HIV感染者 /AIDS病人的 SAS和 SDS评分高于正常对照 (分别为 t=5 .343,t=5 .2 72 ,P值均 <0 .0 0 1) ;HIV感染者 /AIDS病人 GQOL I- 74总分、各维度分均低于正常对照 (分别为 F=36 .5 12 ,F=2 .386 ,F=11.0 4 6 ,F=31.6 16 ,F=34.2 35 ,P值均 <0 .0 1) ;HIV感染者 /AIDS病人的 SAS和 SDS评分与疾病状况、物质滥用、社会支持及生活质量存在明显相关性 ;HIV感染者 /AIDS病人的生活质量总分与疾病状况、社会支持存在明显相关性。结论 焦虑和抑郁情绪在 HIV感染者 /AIDS病人中普遍存在 ,这些负性情绪主要与较多的疾病状况和物质滥用、较少的社会支持及较低的生活质量等因素有关 ;HIV感染者 /AIDS病人的生活质量普遍较低 ,这主要与较多的疾病状况。