ABSTRACT
There are inconsistent findings about the relation between gender and HIV status disclosure. We conducted a facility-based crosssectional study; using qualitative and quantitative data collection methods; to explore gender differences in HIV-positive status disclosure among service users in south-west Ethiopia. Among 705 participants; an equal number of men and women (94.6men v. 94.3; women) indicated that they had disclosed their result to someone; and the majority (90.9men v. 90.7women) to their current main partner. `It is customary to tell my partner everything' was the most frequently cited reason for disclosing (62.5men v. 68.5women). Reasons for non-disclosure varied by gender: men were concerned about their partner's worry and exposure of their own unfaithfulness. Women feared physical violence; and social and economic pressure in raising their children. Factors that influenced disclosure also indicated gender variation. For men; disclosure of HIV results to a sexual partner was positively associated with knowing the partner's HIV status and discussion about HIV testing prior to seeking services; while for women it was associated with knowing the partner's HIV status; advanced disease stage; having no more than primary education; being married; and perceiving the current relationship as long-lasting. There was no significant difference in the proportion of HIV status disclosure among men and women. However; the contextual barriers and motivators of disclosure varied by gender. Therefore it is important that clinicians; counsellors; and health educators underscore the importance of gender-specific interventions in efforts to dispel barriers to HIV status disclosure
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Disclosure , HIV SeropositivityABSTRACT
Medication adherence is a complex behaviour with multiple determinants. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of adherence is invaluable for programme improvement; which assists the foundation of adherence intervention strategies. A qualitative study was conducted in six selected hospitals of Addis Ababa in 2008; to explore barriers and facilitators to antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-infected paediatric patients. Twelve caregivers of adherent and non-adherent children and 14 key informants in five hospitals were included in the study. The findings revealed that over-dosage (heavy pill burden); fear of stigma and discrimination; cost and access to transportation; lack of understanding of the benefit of taking the medication; economic problems in the household; and lack of nutritional support were the barriers to adherence to HAART. The presence of mobile/wall alarm; the presence of follow-up counselling; improved health of the child; ART clinic setups; and disclosure of HIV serostatus were among the facilitators. This study indicated that paediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy faces a huge challenge. It suggests the provision of income-generating schemes to caregivers for assisting HIV-infected children. Health care providers should address proper usage of medication reminders
Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents , HIV Infections , Medication Adherence , PediatricsABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the magnitude of anxiety; somatoform and depressive disorders among blind people. Methods: All blind patients (according to WHO definition) who attended the Out Patient Clinics; Ophthalmology Department; Menelik II Hospital; Addis Ababa; Ethiopia; from October 2000-February 2001; were interviewed using a fully structured instrument (Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) core version 2.1). Results: 107 patients with visual loss were included in the study. Six (5.6) had acute onset versus 101 (94.4) with gradual onset. 48 (44.9) had been blind for more than one year. The most common cause of blindness was cataract (n=59; 55.1); followed by glaucoma (n=20; 18.7) and retinal detachment (n=12; 11.2). Only 5 (4.7) patients had psychiatric morbidity. Generalized anxiety disorder; depressive disorder and somatoform disorder each constituted one case. Two patients had dysthymia and one patient had social phobia. Conclusion: The reported prevalence of psychiatric problems among the blind in this study is way below those of other studies conducted in medical settings as well as in the general population. Further studies to determine the magnitude of psychiatric problems among blind people by using instruments with Amharic version of known validity are recommended; and the need to establish validity of the Amharic version of CIDI is stressed
Subject(s)
Anxiety , Blindness , Somatoform DisordersABSTRACT
A survey was conducted in three randomly selected farmer's associations in Sululta District; around Chancho town out of which; 540 households were selected randomly. Mothers and other care givers of children under-five were interviewed regarding their knowledge; beliefs; attitudes and practices in case management of acute respiratory illness. The study showed that 406 (75 percent) of the care givers have favorable practice; whereas 483 (89.4 percent); 497 (92 percent) and 334 (61.9 percent) of the care givers have unfavorable attitudes; knowledge and beliefs; respectively. Care givers' age is significantly associated with their practices; attitudes and knowledge whereas care givers' education and presence of grand parents in the neighbourhood affected significantly their attitude; knowledge and belief
Subject(s)
Knowledge , Respiratory Insufficiency , Respiratory Tract Diseases , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
The study was designed to assess the prevalence and geographic distribution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in Ethiopian blood donors and to evaluate trends as well as make short term predictions on the growth of the epidemic. Donor HIV-1 screening results of six Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) blood banks; between October 1987 and September 1991; were analyzed. Repeat positivity rates in the Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) obtained using two different generations of welcozyme test kits were converted to confirmed western blot positivity rates in accordance with test specificities of two generation test kits obtained in low risk population locally. Trend analysis in Addis Ababa donors was made by fitting an appropriate curve to observed prevalence rates; which was used to make short term projections. During the study period; the blood screening component of the AIDS control programme was able to effectively prevent the transfusion of 3291 in HIV-1 infected blood. On the other hand a progressive increment and wide variation in HIV-1 prevalence rates of 0-5.2 per cent in 1988 and 1.6-11.6 per cent in 1991 was obtained. The overall M:F sex ratio was 1:07. The HIV-1 epidemic followed a simple exponential growth curve and the prevalence rate in Addis Ababa donors by the end of 1992 is expected to be 7.9 per cent. These data show that HIV-1 epidemic in Ethiopian blood donors are in their exponential growth phase and donor screening mechanisms utilized by our transfusion centers are effective but need to be improved significantly to screen out high risk donors. The establishment of more effective measures for the prevention and control of HIV-1 infection in general and blood safety in particular is recommended