Vulnerability of women with human immunodeficiency virus to cervical cancer / Vulnerabilidad de las mujeres con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana al cáncer de cérvix / Vulnerabilidade das mulheres com vírus da imunodeficiência humana ao câncer de colo do útero

Abstract Objective: To identify the vulnerabilities of women with human immunodeficiency virus to cervical cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in a clinic with 152 adult women with HIV, by means of the application of a structured form comprising several types of vulnerability. Results: Related to individual vulnerability, were prevalent the age above 29 years (87.5%), education higher than eight years of study (53.3%) and family income lower than two minimum wages (94.1%). The majority reported active sexual life (81.6%) and non-use of condoms (57.2%). Regarding the social vulnerability, 56.6% were unemployed. About programmatic vulnerability, 44.0% of women underwent a prevention exam in a period of more than one year. Women with more schooling (p = 0.007), employed (p = 0.000) and that did not use illicit drugs (p = 0.000) underwent the preventive exam in proper frequency. Conclusion: In this study, were identified individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities for cervical cancer in women with HIV.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar las vulnerabilidades de mujeres con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana para el cáncer de cérvix. Método: Estudio transversal desarrollado en centro de salud con 152 mujeres con HIV a partir de formulario estructurado envolviendo los tipos de vulnerabilidad. Resultados: Para la vulnerabilidad individual, eran predominantes mujeres con edad superior a 29 años (87,5%), escolaridad superior a ocho años (53,3%) y renta de la unidad familiar menor que dos salarios mínimos (94,1%). La mayoría informó vida sexual activa (81,6%) y no uso del preservativo (57,2%). Sobre la vulnerabilidad social, 56,6% estaban desempleadas. Para vulnerabilidad programática, 44,0% realizaron exámenes preventivos en periodo superior a un año. Mujeres con más escolaridad (p = 0,007), empleadas (p = 0,000) y que no usaban drogas ilícitas (p = 0,000) realizaban exámenes preventivos en la frecuencia adecuada. Conclusión: Se identificaron situaciones de vulnerabilidades individual, social y programática para el cáncer de cérvix en las mujeres con VIH de ese estudio.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar as vulnerabilidades das mulheres com vírus da imunodeficiência humana ao câncer de colo do útero. Método: Estudo transversal desenvolvido em ambulatório com 152 mulheres adultas com HIV, a partir de formulário estruturado envolvendo os tipos de vulnerabilidades. Resultados: Para a vulnerabilidade individual, foram predominantes a faixa etária maior que 29 anos (87,5%), com escolaridade maior que oito anos de estudo (53,3%) e renda familiar menor que dois salários mínimos (94,1%). A maioria informou vida sexual ativa (81,6%) e não utilização de preservativo (57,2%). Para vulnerabilidade social, 56,6% estavam desempregadas. Na vulnerabilidade programática, 44,0% das mulheres realizaram exame de prevenção em período superior a um ano. Mulheres com maior escolaridade (p = 0,007), empregadas (p = 0,000) e que não usavam drogas ilícitas (p = 0,000) realizavam exames preventivos na frequência adequada. Conclusão: Neste estudo, foram identificadas situações de vulnerabilidades individual, social e programática para câncer de colo do útero nas mulheres com HIV.

Low variation in initial CD4 cell count in a HIV referral center, in Salvador, Brazil, from 2002 to 2015

ABSTRACT Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy increases the likelihood of effective immune restoration, quality of life, and greater life expectancy for HIV-infected individuals. We evaluated the evolution of mean CD4+ cells count at diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in Salvador, Brazil from 2002 to 2015. We identified HIV/AIDS patients older than 18 years with diagnosis of HIV infection from 2002 to 2015, who had their first laboratory evaluation at Complexo Hospitalar Prof. Edgard Santos, Federal University of Bahia. Initial mean CD4+ cells count and age, over time were evaluated. A total of 1801 patients randomly selected individuals were included in the analysis. Overall mean CD4+ count at diagnosis in the whole period was 279 ± 265, varying from 191 in 2015 to 334 in 2011. There was no improvement in the immunological status at diagnosis from 2002 to 2015. In addition, a higher frequency of CD4+ cells count < 200 cells/mL in the last two years was observed. This suggests that the adopted strategies for early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in Salvador, Brazil, are still ineffective.

Psychological model of ART adherence behaviors in persons living with HIV/AIDS in Mexico: a structural equation analysis

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The objective of this study has been to test the ability of variables of a psychological model to predict antiretroviral therapy medication adherence behavior. METHODS We have conducted a cross-sectional study among 172 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), who completed four self-administered assessments: 1) the Psychological Variables and Adherence Behaviors Questionnaire, 2) the Stress-Related Situation Scale to assess the variable of Personality, 3) The Zung Depression Scale, and 4) the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to construct a model to predict medication adherence behaviors. RESULTS Out of all the participants, 141 (82%) have been considered 100% adherent to antiretroviral therapy. Structural equation modeling has confirmed the direct effect that personality (decision-making and tolerance of frustration) has on motives to behave, or act accordingly, which was in turn directly related to medication adherence behaviors. In addition, these behaviors have had a direct and significant effect on viral load, as well as an indirect effect on CD4 cell count. The final model demonstrates the congruence between theory and data (x2/df. = 1.480, goodness of fit index = 0.97, adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.94, comparative fit index = 0.98, root mean square error of approximation = 0.05), accounting for 55.7% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support our theoretical model as a conceptual framework for the prediction of medication adherence behaviors in persons living with HIV/AIDS. Implications for designing, implementing, and evaluating intervention programs based on the model are to be discussed.

A review on peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in healthy adult Indians.

The CD4+ T lymphocytes are the crucial cells in the cascade of events in forming immune response to the foreign antigen and hence monitoring the CD4+ T cell counts to understand the extent of immune deficiency is a common practice. CD4+ T cells are also the primary target cells for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Hence CD4+ T lymphocyte count is the most important marker of immune dysfunction in HIV disease progression. The estimation of CD4+ T cell counts is used to decide the initiation of anti retroviral therapy (ART), to monitor the efficacy of ART and to start treatment for opportunistic infections (OIs). To develop the threshold levels of CD4+ T cell counts, data from western countries are being used in India. The CD4+ T cell counts are known to be influenced by race and environmental factors. Hence it is important to establish the reference ranges for the CD4+ T cell counts in the target population to understand the immune dysfunction. The information on the lower limits of the CD4+ T cells count is necessary to decide the initiation and monitoring of ART. The published data on the CD4+ T cells count in healthy Indian adult population have been reviewed, analyzed and discussed in this review article. The requirement of establishment of reference ranges in Indian population is discussed.

Clinical manifestations of HIV infected children.

OBJECTIVE: Heterosexual contact is the predominant mode of transmission among adults in India with an increasing number of women of childbearing age becoming infected with HIV. Consequently, children in India increasingly getting infected, primarily from vertical transmission. A retrospective review of the profile of HIV infected children attending an HIV clinic in South India is reported. METHODS: All HIV-infected children under 15 years of age at the time of first presentation and managed at this center between June 1996 and June 2000 are included in this report. Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical manifestation were collected in a precoded proforme. A complete physical examination and baseline laboratory investigations were performed at entry into the clinic and at subsequent follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-eight HIV-infected children were included: thirty-nine (67.2%) were male with mean age 4 years. Perinatal transmission was the predominant mode of HIV acquisition (67%). Common clinical manifestations in these children at presentation included oral candidiasis (43%), pulmonary tuberculosis (35%), recurrent respiratory infections (26%), bacterial skin infection (21%), papulo-pruritic dermatitis (19%), hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (14%) each and chronic diarrhea (7%). CONCLUSION: An understanding of the epidemiology of pediatric HIV infection may reveal opportunities to reduce and perhaps eliminate perinatal transmission. Knowledge of clinical manifestations in this setting will help physicians meet the management challenges presented by HIV infected children.