ABSTRACT
Objectives: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a public health issue with more than 25 million deaths since 1990. As of 2019, Nigeria has a national prevalence of 1.4% among 15-49 years and about 1.9 million people living with HIV, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. This study assessed the factors responsible for unsuppressed viral load among patients accessing care at Federal Medical Centre HIV Clinic in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria.Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional. Data was collected using the qualitative method; an In-depth interview was conducted among 20 virally unsuppressed HIV patients currently on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta. The participants were purposively selected. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Although almost all the participants were aware of HIV, their knowledge of HIV was inadequate. Non-adherence to drugs, side effects of medications, the psychological effects of the disease, forgetfulness, and combination of anti-retroviral drugs with local herbs and alcohol were the associated factors of viral non-suppression among the patients.Conclusion: Scaling up psychological care services using Short Message Services (SMS) to improve viral suppression is, therefore, strongly recommended.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , HIV Infections , Viral Load , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Patient ComplianceABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes worldwide and also has a role in facilitating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. The aim of the study was to determine seroprevalence of HSV-2 among the subjects and associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, 207 HIV Positive subjects attending a retroviral Clinic in Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun state were interviewed and had blood samples taken. The patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and their serum samples were tested for HSV-2 specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for consented participation. Prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was ascertained and related to demographics and behavioral variables. A total of 207 participants were recruited for this study comprising of Sixty-three (30.4%) male and 144 (69.6%) female HIV positive subjects. Seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 70.0%. Only 58(28%) had current history of genital ulcer. Logistic regression revealed a history of multiple sexual partners (P value=0.003), oral sex (P value=0.02) were found to be associated with HSV-2 acquisition in HIV patients. All other risk factors such as history of transactional sex, age at sexual debut and condom use were not significant. The results highlight the potential public health impact of HSV-2 particularly in a developing country like Nigeria where HSV-2 testing is not included in our testing and treatment protocol for HIV. This result should lead to commencement of HSV type-specific serological testing in the HIV infected population and also high risk groups should be targeted for behavioral modification messages.
