Comparative gender analysis of the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus among HIV-infected individuals receiving care at Offa, north-central Nigeria

Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections are common and contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. This study was conducted to determine the level of exposure, compare the gender distribution pattern and correlate with CD4 count, history of chicken pox and demographics among HIV patients. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 273 randomly selected HIV-positive patients (93 males and 180 females) receiving care and management at the General Hospital Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, between September 2019 and March 2020, after obtaining informed consent. Sera were separated from the blood samples and tested for the presence of VZV-specific IgG antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The seroprevalence rate of VZV in the selected HIV patients was 76.9% (210/273), which was similar in both male (83.9%, 78/93) and female (73.3%, 132/180) patients (χ 2=3.265, p=0.071). The seroprevalence rates of VZV in both male and female patients were significantly associated with marital status, occupational status, and CD4+ cell count (p<0.05), however, age group was not significantly associated with VZV seroprevalence in both male (χ2=8.014, p=0.155) and female (χ2=4.689, p=0.455) patients. The seroprevalence of VZV in males (32%) who reported history of chicken pox was about twice that of females (17.4%) (OR=2.235, 95% CI=1.162-4.302, p=0.023). Conclusion: The level of exposure of HIV-infected individuals to VZV in Offa, Nigeria is high and is similarly distributed in both male and female genders. However, more males with VZV exposure reported history of chicken pox (acute infection) than their female counterparts.

Serologic evidence of seasonal influenza A and B in HIV patients on combined antiretroviral therapy in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Influenza and HIV are endemic in Nigeria but there is no epidemiological data on the co-infection of influenza A and B among HIV patients.Objective: We investigated seasonal influenza A and B, and co-infection among HIV patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study, clear sera collected from 174 HIV-positive patients between August and September 2018 were analysed for immunoglobulin M-specific antibodies to seasonal influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, and influenza B by enzyme immunoassay. Results: A total of 39.7% (69/174) of HIV patients were seropositive for influenza A or B viruses with 84.1% (58/69) being positive for influenza A, 13.04% (9/69) seropositive for both influenza A and B, and only 2.9% (2/69) positive for influenza B mono-infection. Median age was 44 (mean 45, mode 40, range 18­74) years. The 41­50 years age group had the highest seroprevalence (39.1%; 27/69). Seropositivity was highest among women (65.2%; 45/69). A total of 88.4% (61/69) of HIV patients seropositive for influenza A or B were on fixed dose cART, while 73.9% (51/69) were virologically suppressed. Furthermore, 27.5% (19/69) were immunocompromised, of which 21.1% (4/19) were severely immunosuppressed (cluster of differentiation 4 < 200 cells/mm>3).Conclusion: Influenza A and B was prevalent among HIV patients on cART, which may predispose them to life-threatening complications. We recommend strong advocacy on the need to reduce the risk of exposure to influenza and for the provision of an influenza vaccine in Nigeria

HIV prevalence in young people and children living on the streets, Kenya

Objective To obtain an estimate of the size of, and human immunodeficiency (HIV) prevalence among, young people and children living on the streets of Eldoret, Kenya. Methods We counted young people and children using a point-in-time approach, ensuring we reached our target population by engaging relevant community leaders during the planning of the study. We acquired point-in-time count data over a period of 1 week betweethe hours of 08:00 and 23:00, from both a stationary site and by mobile teams. Participants provided demographic data and a finger print(to avoid double-counting) and were encouraged to speak with an HIV counsellor and undergo HIV testing. We used a logistic regression (model to test for an association between age or sex and uptake of HIV testing and seropositivity. Findings Of the 1419 eligible participants counted, 1049 (73.9%) were male with a median age of 18 years. Of the 1029 who spoke with a counsellor, 1004 individuals accepted HIV counselling and 947 agreed to undergo an HIV test. Combining those who were already aware of their HIV-positive status with those who were tested during our study resulted in an overall HIV seroprevalence of 4.1%. The seroprevalence was 2.7% (19/698) for males and 8.9% (23/259) for females. We observed an increase in seroprevalence with increasing age for both sexes, but of much greater magnitude for females. Conclusion By counting young people and children living on the streets and offering them HIV counselling and testing, we could obtain population-based estimates of HIV prevalence

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in pregnant women at the Protestant Hospital, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common worldwide infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In Cameroon, several recent studies have reported high seroprevalence of this parasitosis in various hospitals (Douala, Limbe, Njinikom and Yaoundé). The aim of this study was to determine whether this high prevalence of toxoplasmosis might occur in other regions of the country. Methodology: Serological tests by the indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgG and IgM were carried out on 200 pregnant women (36 HIV-positive and 164 HIV-negative) at the Protestant Hospital of Mbouo-Bandjoun in western Cameroon to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and to identify the risk factors associated with seropositivity of the subjects. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 45.5%. The prevalence rate was 80.5% in the HIV-positive group (47.2% IgG, 22.2% IgM and 11.1% IgG + IgM) and 37.8% in the HIV-negative group (25.6%, 9.7% and 2.4% respectively). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the secondary level of educational, presence of HIV infection, and frequency of close contacts with cats were significantly associated with the prevalence of IgG and/or IgM antibodies. Conclusion: Compared with previous reports of human toxoplasmosis in Cameroon, the prevalence in our study showed a decrease in the disease occurrence. Further studies are needed to determine whether this decrease is localised to our study or a general phenomenon currently affecting the country

Prevalence pattern and determinants of disclosure of HIV status in an anti retroviral therapy clinic in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

Background: In order to advance the extent of self-disclosure of HIV sero-status in Nigeria, we evaluated the prevalence, pattern and determinants of disclosure of HIV status amongst adult patients in a hospital in the Niger Delta. Materials and Methods: In a three month cross sectional study undertaken in March 2012, the demographic and clinical data as well as HIV sero-status disclosure frequency and pattern were obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire from consenting HIV infected adults attending the Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic in the Niger Delta. Independent determinants of HIV disclosure to current sexual partner were determined using an unconditional logistic model. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 260 patients were studied out of which 184(71%) were females. Disclosure to current sexual partner was found to be 62.0% and students had the least disclosure rate. Majority of study participants preferred to disclose to family members (57%) than past sexual partner (2.5%) or friend (4.9%). Although HIV disclosure was significantly associated with male sex, living with sexual partner, partner being HIV positive; the only independent determinants of HIV disclosure were partner being on ART (OR-12.7,95% CI 1.2-132.7)and being currently married (OR-8.8,95% CI 2.1-36.8). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest low rate of HIV status disclosure among HIV infected patients in the Niger Delta. We found that receiving ART and being currently married promoted disclosure. There is need for clinicians and policy makers to foster disclosure of HIV sero-status in Nigeria especially among HIV infected students and unmarried sexual partners

Determinants of Extramarital Sex by Men in Tanzania: A Case Study of Mbeya Region

This paper attempts to identify some factors associated with extramarital sex by men in the Mbeya region of Tanzania using data from a survey conducted in 2003/2004. The choice of Mbeya region was prompted by the fact that it has been found by previous studies to be one of the regions with the highest HIV prevalence rate in Tanzania. Correlates of extramarital sex that were considered include current age; education; residence; age at first sexual intercourse; age at first marriage and sex before marriage. A bivariate analysis of the survey data; which comprised a sample size of 568 married men aged between 15 and 62 years revealed statistically significant association between extramarital sex with current age; education; age at first intercourse and sex before marriage. The effect of these variables was tested through a multivariate logistic regression analysis and all the four independent variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of extramarital sex in Mbeya region

Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency and hepatitis b viruses among patients at a health facility in Freetown; Sierra Leone

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) constitute serious public health problems worldwide. In Sierra Leone; information on both viral infections remains scanty. This study estimated the seroprevalence of HIV and HBV infections and a possible co-infection in one hundred and ninety-eight (198) patients seeking diagnosis at a private laboratory in Freetown; Sierra Leone. Blood plasma was collected from each patient after informed consent was obtained. The samples were assayed for antibodies to HIV virus and HBV antigen using appropriate assays. Male patient accounts for 52of the population examined. Thirty-one (31) of the 198 patients examined (15.7) were positive for HIV. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) was present in 17 (39.5) females and 26 (60.5) males. Thirteen (13) (6.6) patients were co-infected with HIV and HBsAg. This is the first documented evidence of HBsAg and HIV co-infection in Sierra Leoneans. Larger population based studies are however needed to confirm the findings

Result of Seroprevalence of HIV amongst Undergraduate Students of Government Approved Private University in Edo State

The seroprevalence of HIV amongst undergraduate students of a Government Approved University of Edo State was studied. Out of 1020 students randomly selected from the various faculties or departments; qualitative detection of anti bodies to HIV were detected in (4.3) male and (2.3) female. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence rate between the male students and female category as P0.05. The main findings in this seroprevalence rate among male and female is with the prospect of further spread of the infection

Patients with Severe Mental Illness : a New Approach for Testing for HIV

Background :The prevalence of infection with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) in South Africa is approaching 20of young adults. In severely mentally ill people; it is probably higher. Testing for infection is subject to stringent ethical principles. Undiagnosed HIV infection in people with severe mental illness increases costs and morbidity. Since effective treatments are available; it is imperative to diagnose HIV infection early in this high risk population. Methods : a literature review established the prevalence of HIV infection in in-patient populations with HIV infection. The pattern of testing for HIV over three years at a major psychiatric hospital was investigated. We surveyed public sector psychiatrists in the Western Cape to establish their attitudes to HIV in their patients. Results The HIV reported seroprevalence in psychiatric in-patients ranges from 0-59.3; with a mean of 10. Data show a clear trend towards an increase in prevalence: Pre 1996 the mean HIV seroprevalence was 7.4; while post 1996 the mean was 15. State psychiatrists in the Western Cape do not test routinely for HIV infection; mainly due to ethical constraints: 14.6of patients at Lentegeur Hospital were tested in 2006. Conclusions The high prevalence of HIV infection in South Africa; that is probably higher in patients with severe mental illness (most of whom are not competent to provide informed consent) and the availability of effective treatment; requires debate and a clear policy regarding testing for HIV infection to be implemented. We recommend a new approach to HIV testing in these patients

Messages about Dual Contraception in Areas of High HIV Prevalence are not Heeded

Background : Dual protection is recommended for prevention of unwanted pregnancies and protection against sexually transmitted infections; including HIV. It is critical for HIV-negative women to prevent sero-conversion and HIV transmission to their infants during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Methods: Women were followed post-partum; monthly to 9 months and 3-monthly to 24 months; in a cohort study investigating postnatal HIV transmission. Study nurses discussed family planning; including condom use; at each visit. Contraceptive methods used since the last visit were recorded. All women knew their HIV status; most women breastfed for a minimum of six months.Results : of 1137 HIV-positive and 1220 HIV-negative women the most common contraceptive method was the hormonal injectable; few women used condoms alone or as dual contraception (0-3 months 6.8; 7-12 months 16.3; 19-24 months 14.4). HIV-positive women were more likely to use condoms in years one and two post-partum (AOR 1.72; 95CI 1.38-2.14; pp=0.040). Conclusions. More creative ways of promoting condoms and dual contraception need to be found if new HIV infections; in women and children; are to be prevented

Prevalence of HIV Infection among Secondary School Students in two cities in South-South Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease will remain a topical issue on health in Third world countries. Its spread amongst the youths is worrisome. These youths are the future hope of our nation .If the spread of HIV is not checked; its impact can deplete a nation's economy and reduce the work force. This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infections among secondary school adolescents. Methods: A total of 491 blood samples collected from adolescents in 8 secondary schools in Port Harcourt and Calabar were used for the study. School health authority and parents of these students gave permission for the student's involvement. The test kit used for the study was the Trinity Biotech capillus HIV-1/HIV-2. Confirmatory tests were done for positive samples using another rapid assay test kitThe BDI HIV 1 and 2 test device Bremangos Diagnostic Inc. Canada. Results: Eight (3.1) out of 262 females and 5(2.2) of 229 males were retroviral positive. Females showed a slightly higher seroprevalence rate than their male counterparts. This was however not statistically significant (P0.05). Conclusion: HIV can affect all age groups even the young. Females are more disposed to contracting the disease than males. HIV awareness should be taken down to our secondary schools

Fertility Trend and Pattern in a Rural Area of South Africa in the Context of HIV/AIDS

Little is known about the dynamics of fertility transition in South Africa; though recent studies have begun to shed light on demographic changes in the country. This study presents trends and patterns of fertility observed in a rural South African population. Various demographic and statistical techniques were used to examine fertility patterns in a population of 21;847 women in a rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) demographic surveillance area. These are compared with patterns seen in another South African rural population under demographic surveillance; and with data from the 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. Findings are interpreted in light of contraceptive use patterns and HIV prevalence in the population. In South Africa; the end of the fertility transition is now in sight. In rural KZN; where national fertility levels are highest; fertility has declined rapidly for about two decades and would have reached below replacement level in 2003. While fertility has declined rapidly among all women over age 18 years; fertility levels among adolescents have not changed in decades. Although most adolescents in rural KZN were sexually active (60 ); few had ever used contraception (20 ). High HIV seroprevalence appears to explain a small part of the fertility decline (12 ); however; this effect is likely to grow in the near future as the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues in South Africa. If the current trends continue in the future; below replacement fertility; together with high mortality due to AIDS; it could soon lead to negative natural population growth in rural South Africa

Dynamique socio-geographique de l'infection a VIH1 : Region de Batouri (Cameroun) - Berberati (Centrafrique)

"Une enquete epidemiologique est realisee en 1992 sur la prevalence de l'infection a VIH dans cinq sites urbains et ruraux de la region de Batouri (Cameroun) - Berberati (Centrafrique). Les seroprevalences relevees varient sensiblement selon les collectivites et au sein de celles-ci. Une exploitation complementaire des resultats de cette enquete precise des aspects de la dynamique geographique et sociale de l'infection. Une etude descriptive de la population seropositive permet de caracteriser; pour chaque sexe; des erofils sociaux de l'infection. Une analyse comparee des groupes les plus et les moins exposes a une contamination souligne quelles sont les specificites des individus liees de facon significative a la diffusion du virus. Des aspects varies d'une ""vacance"" conjugale; une forme ou d'une autre de mobilite geographique tiendraient une place essentielle. Les discontinuites sociales et geographiques qui l'affectent; les discordances qu'elle presente par rapport a la syphilis; suggerent que la repartition de l'infection pourrait etre; a la date de l'enquete; principalement definie par la diversite des conditions offertes a l'introduction du virus"

HIV-1 seroprevalence among truck and bus drivers in Douala and Ekok (Cameroon)

Truckers and bus drivers are at high risk of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection. A cross-sectional study to determine the HIV-1 seroprevalence rates; and risk factors associated with the acquisition of HIV among drivers was conducted in Douala and Ekok of 151 drivers; 23 ((15.2 per cent) were HIV-1+; 17 (11.3 per cent) were TPHA/RPR+ while 18 (11.9 per cent) were HBV + 104 drivers (69 per cent) cited having sex during the last journey but 42.4 per cent with prostitutes; condoms were regularly used by 15.5 per cent of drivers. History of exposure STDs was associated with increased risk of HIV-1 infection : gonorrhoea or syphilis. Highway drivers were the group with the third highest HIV-1 seroprevalence rate in Cameroon

Dynamique socio-geographique de l'infection a VIH 1 en Afrique Centrale : regions de Batouri (Cameroun) - Berberati (Centrafique)

"Une enquete realisee en 1992 dans cinq sites urbains ruraux de la region de Batouri (Cameroun) - Berberati (Centrafrique) etablit que les seroprevalences de l'infection a VIH varient sensiblement selon les collectivites et au sein de celles-ci. Une exploitation complementaire des resultats de cette enquete precise des elements de la dynamique geographique et sociale de l'infection. Une analyse comparee des groupes les plus et les moins exposes a une contamination souligne quelles sont les specificites des individus liees de facon significative a la diffusion du virus. Des aspects varies d'une ""vacance"" conjugale; une forme ou une autre de mobilite geographique tiendraient une place essentielle. Les discontinuites geographiques qui affectent la diffusion de l'infection seraient; a la date de l'enquete; principalement l'effet de la diversite des conditions offertes par les collectivites a des apports du virus; par le biais de la mobilite de leurs membres"

Model stimulation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda

The objective was to model the HIV/AIDS epidemic among the adult population (15-54 years) in Uganda; taking into account the sexual mixing and variability of infectiousness of an individual infected with HIV. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda is modeled using a computer simulation; based on a mathematical model; over a period of 30 years from the period the virus is anticipated to have been introduced in the population. The model examines transmission via sexual contact; blood transfusion; and intensive surgery. The results showed that HIV prevalence rates are found to be higher for uniform infectivity compared to variable infectivity; as well as for number of new partners based on a distribution compared to mean number of new sex partners. Blood transfusion was responsible for 0.09- 0.30of the HIV infection; while none were obtained from the projections for invasive surgery. It was concluded that use of uniform infectivity as well as use of categorical mean number of new sex partners may over estimate and underestimate the epidemic; respectively. Before blood was screened; it accounted for a small but significant portion of the epidemic

HIV-1 seroprevalence and risk perception in a rural areas of SW Uganda

The objective was to determine HIV-1 seroprevalence and individual subjects' assessment of their risk of HIV infection in a rural area of SW Uganda. In preparation for a trial to assess ways of reducing HIV-1 infection in a rural Ugandan population; a serum sample was collected from; and a KABP questionnaire administered to all consenting adults in selected villages.Results: Data were available for 2108 adults from three administrative parishes. Age and sex standardised HIV-1 seroprevalence results ranged from 7to 11. In females highest rates were in those aged 25-34 years (20) and in males in those aged 25 - 44 years(1). The percentage of those who considered themselves at risk of HIV-1 infection was similar between males and females and higher in seropositive (65) than seronegatives (51); 12said they did not know. Of the 1108 considering themeslves at risk 51cited their partners behavior; 14(21males;9females) referred only to their own behavior; and 3gave both reasons; 21mentioned other transmission routes and these included insects (2) and sharing sharp items (4). For the 680 considering themselves not at risk the commonest reasons given were sexual abstinance (51( and avoidance of risky sexual behaviour (21); only 2said they used condoms. In this rural population; with an adult HIV-1 seroprevalence of about 10; half of the people consider themselves at risk of infection. Few of them (more males than females) consider their own behaviour of partners. These findings have important implications for HIV/AIDS control programmes