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1.
J Nutr ; 152(12): 2888-2897, 2023 01 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36040327

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mothers in low-income settings who work in agricultural employment are challenged to meet breastfeeding (BF) recommendations. Recent legislation in Kenya mandates maternity leave and workplace supports, yet the relation of these benefits with BF practices is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations with workplace-provided BF supports and BF practices among formally employed mothers in Kenya. The availability of supports was hypothesized to be associated with a higher prevalence and greater odds of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). METHODS: We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys among formally employed mothers at 1-4 d and 6, 14, and 36 wk (to estimate 24 wk) postpartum in Naivasha, Kenya. We used logistic regression adjusted for maternal age, education, physical burden of work, HIV status, and income to evaluate associations between workplace supports and EBF practices. RESULTS: Among formally employed mothers (n = 564), those who used onsite workplace childcare were more likely to practice EBF than those who used community- or home-based childcare at both 6 wk (95.7% compared with 82.4%, P = 0.030) and 14 wk (60.6% compared with 22.2%, P < 0.001; adjusted OR: 5.11; 95% CI: 2.3, 11.7). Likewise, at 14 wk among mothers who currently used daycare centers, a higher proportion of mothers who visited daycare centers at or near workplaces practiced EBF (70.0%) than of those not visiting daycare centers (34.7%, P = 0.005). EBF prevalence was higher among mothers with access to workplace private lactation spaces than among mothers without such spaces (84.6% compared with 55.6%, P = 0.037), and among mothers who lived in workplace housing than those without onsite housing (adjusted OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.41). CONCLUSIONS: Formally employed mothers in Kenya who have access to and use workplace-provided BF supports were more likely to practice EBF than mothers who lacked these supports. As the Kenya Health Act is implemented, lactation rooms, onsite housing and daycare, and transportation to visit children can all support BF and EBF among employed mothers.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Mothers , Child , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Infant , Kenya , Cross-Sectional Studies , Workplace
2.
Am J Clin Nutr ; 113(3): 562-573, 2021 03 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33515015

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In many low- and middle-income countries, improvements in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) have stalled, delaying reductions in child mortality. Maternal employment is a potential barrier to EBF. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated associations between maternal employment and breastfeeding (BF) status. We compared formally and non-formally employed mothers in Naivasha, Kenya, where commercial floriculture and hospitality industries employ many women. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among mothers (n = 1186) from September 2018 to October 2019 at 4 postpartum time points: at hospital discharge (n = 296) and at 6 wk (n = 298), 14 wk (n = 295), and 36 wk (to estimate BF at 24 wk; n = 297) postpartum. Mothers reported their BF status and reasons for EBF cessation. We used multivariable logistic regression models to test the association between formal maternal employment and 3 outcomes: early BF initiation (within 1 h of birth), EBF at each time point, and continued BF at 9 mo. Models were informed by a directed acyclic graph: a causal diagram used to characterize the relationship among variables that influence the independent (employment) and dependent (BF status) variables. RESULTS: EBF did not differ by employment status at hospital discharge or at 6 wk postpartum. However, formally employed mothers were less likely than those not formally employed to report EBF at 14 wk (59.0% compared with 95.4%, respectively; AOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.34) and at 24 wk (19.0% compared with 49.6%, respectively; AOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.44). The prevalence of continued BF at 36 wk did not differ by group (98.1% for formally employed compared with 98.5% for non-formally employed women; AOR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.10, 6.08). The primary reasons reported for early EBF cessation were returning to work (46.5%), introducing other foods based on the child's age (33.5%), or perceived milk insufficiency (13.7%). CONCLUSIONS: As more women engage in formal employment in low- and middle-income countries, additional supports to help prolong the period of EBF may be beneficial for formally employed mothers and their children.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Employment , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Collection , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Infant, Newborn , Kenya , Logistic Models , Multivariate Analysis , Young Adult
3.
East Afr. Med. J ; 93(2): 55-59, 2016.
Article in English | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1261402

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the capacity of six non-tertiary Kenyan hospitals enrolled as sites for decentralised dental education.Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: The Dental departments of six non-tertiary Kenyan health facilities.Main outcome measures: Capacity of the hospitals to be used as sites for decentralised dental education.Results: Five out of the six facilities had capacity for final year undergraduate students to gain learning experiences in more than 60% of the clinical disciplines studied. All the selected facilities had challenges of lack of specialists; broken down dental equipment and inadequate materials. Conclusion: Although the six hospitals faced various challenges in maintenance of equipment; availability of dental materials and specialist staff; five out of the six facilities had the capacity for dental student learning in more than 60% of the clinical disciplines studied


Subject(s)
Cross-Sectional Studies , Dental Equipment , Health Facilities/education
4.
Int J STD AIDS ; 23(7): 468-74, 2012 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22843999

ABSTRACT

Early sexual partnerships place young women in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk for HIV. Few studies have examined both individual- and partnership-level characteristics of sexual relationships among adolescent girls. A cross-sectional survey of sexual history and partnerships was conducted among 761 adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in Nairobi, Kenya. Rapid HIV testing was conducted and correlates of HIV infection were determined using multivariate logistic regression. The HIV prevalence was 7% and seropositive adolescents had a younger age at sexual debut (P < 0.01), more sexual partners in 12 months (P = 0.03), and were more likely to report transactional or non-consensual sex (P < 0.01). Girls who reported not knowing their partner's HIV status were 14 times as likely to be HIV-seropositive than girls who knew their partner's status (adjusted odds ratio: 14.2 [1.8, 109.3]). Public health messages to promote HIV testing and disclosure within partnerships could reduce sexual risk behaviours and HIV transmission among adolescents.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Kenya/epidemiology , Logistic Models , Risk Factors , Sexual Partners , Young Adult
5.
J Trop Pediatr ; 56(2): 103-7, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19602488

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine adherence to oral rehydration solution (ORS) among in-patients aged 1-59 months suffering from gastroenteritis and having some dehydration (SD) or no dehydration (ND) in two rural hospitals in Kenya. METHODS: Children aged 1-59 months suffering from acute gastroenteritis with (SD) or (ND) were enrolled into the study, examined and medical records reviewed. On the second and third day of follow up, children were re-examined to ascertain hydration status and care-takers interviewed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine children were enrolled. Forty-five (75%) of the 60 children with SD received a correct prescription for ORS but only 12 (20%) received the correct amount. Among the 39 children with ND, 23 (59%) received a correct prescription for ORS, however only 16 (41%) received the correct amount. On the 3rd day, 9 (15%) of the 60 children with SD at baseline and 2 (5%) of the 39 with ND were classified as having SD. CONCLUSION: Four in five children with SD and 6 in 10 children with ND fail to receive the correct amounts of ORS.


Subject(s)
Dehydration/therapy , Fluid Therapy , Gastroenteritis/complications , Medication Adherence , Administration, Oral , Caregivers , Child, Preschool , Dehydration/etiology , Female , Gastroenteritis/therapy , Hospitals, Rural , Humans , Infant , Kenya , Male , Treatment Outcome
6.
East Afr Med J ; 87(9): 389-92, 2010 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23457818

ABSTRACT

Severe congenital skin abnormalities are a rare event. This case is unique in that it is a case of harlequin ichthyosis in sub-sahara Africa in a child of African origin and elaborates the challenges faced in its management. We present a neonate who was managed for this condition at Chogoria Mission Hospital. In presenting this case, we aim to sensitise healthcare providers to promptly recognise and manage this rare skin condition.


Subject(s)
Ichthyosis, Lamellar/pathology , Ichthyosis, Lamellar/therapy , Africa South of the Sahara , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male
8.
East Afr Med J ; 86(12 Suppl): S52-7, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21591510

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the point prevalence of abnormal cardiac function and to assess the risk factors for cardiac dysfunction in paediatric oncology patients on treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study with a nested case control. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital between February and April 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular dysfunction if ejection fraction (EF) <55% or fractional shortening (FS) <29% defined cases. Controls had EF >55% or FS >29%. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were enrolled of whom 32 had abnormal cardiac function and were classified as cases while 79 had normal cardiac function. About a third, point prevalence 29% (95% CI 21.2-37.9), had cardiac dysfunction. Cumulative anthracycline dose was a risk factor for cardiac dysfunction in this population. Above 200 mg/m2 the attributable risk percentage of cardiac dysfunction was 77%. CONCLUSIONS: Serial echocardiography should be performed to identify patients at risk. Alternative treatment protocols should be used when the cumulative anthracycline dose exceeds 200 mg/m2 due to the high attributable risk. Studies to further assess the other associated risk factors and long term effects of anthracycline are recommended.


Subject(s)
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/adverse effects , Doxorubicin/adverse effects , Heart Diseases/chemically induced , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adolescent , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Echocardiography , Female , Heart Diseases/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Kenya/epidemiology , Male , Prevalence , Risk Factors
9.
Clin Exp Immunol ; 153(1): 37-43, 2008 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18505437

ABSTRACT

Humoral immunity, and specifically immunoglobulin A (IgA) that is directed against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, may contribute to protection against HIV-1 acquisition at mucosal surfaces. HIV-1-specific IgA has been detected in genital tract secretions of HIV-1-uninfected commercial sex workers with HIV-1 exposure, and may be produced in parotid saliva by infants exposed orally to HIV-1 during delivery and breastfeeding. To explore this hypothesis, we collected saliva from 145 infants aged < or = 6 months enrolled in a perinatal HIV-1 transmission study in Nairobi and from 55 control infants without HIV-1 exposure who were born to HIV-1-seronegative mothers. Among the 145 infants, 115 (79%) remained uninfected during the 12-month study period and 30 (21%) became HIV-1-infected during follow-up. Nine (8%) of the 115 HIV-1-exposed, uninfected infants had detectable levels of HIV-1 gp160-specific IgA compared with four (13%) of 30 infected infants and none of 55 control infants (P = 0.47 and P = 0.03 respectively). Among the nine HIV-1-exposed, uninfected infants with positive assays, median age was 1 month and none acquired HIV-1 during follow-up. We conclude that HIV-1-specific salivary IgA responses may be generated by very young infants exposed perinatally to maternal HIV-1. Mucosal responses would be an appropriate target for paediatric vaccines against breast milk HIV-1 transmission.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/analysis , Saliva/immunology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , HIV Antigens/immunology , HIV Envelope Protein gp160/immunology , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1/genetics , Humans , Immunoglobulin A/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Kenya , Longitudinal Studies , RNA, Viral/blood , Risk , Viral Load
10.
Afr Health Sci ; 8(2): 103-7, 2008 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19357759

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Effective management of pneumonia demands active participation by the caretaker to facilitate early seeking of appropriate health care and adequate compliance to home care messages. This would only be possible if the caretakers' perception of pneumonia is appropriate. This study aims to determine community's perception of childhood pneumonia in a suburb of Nairobi. OBJECTIVES: To determine community perception of childhood pneumonia. DESIGN: Cross sectional study utilizing qualitative ethnographic methodology. PARTICIPANTS: Six key informants for in-depth interview and eight groups for focus group discussions from the study community. RESULTS: Pneumonia was perceived to be the most serious childhood illness. There was a great deal of diversity of Kikuyu phrases for chest-in drawing. There was no term for rapid breathing. Chest in-drawing, fever, difficult in breathing, startling at night and convulsions were perceived as features of pneumonia. Chest in-drawing, fever and convulsions were indicative of severe disease. CONCLUSION: The caretakers perceived severe pneumonia as outlined in the IMCI guidelines. Non-severe pneumonia was not perceived for what it should be. Inappropriate knowledge on causes of pneumonia and signs of non severe pneumonia are likely to interfere with compliance with home care messages.


Subject(s)
Cultural Characteristics , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mothers , Pneumonia/diagnosis , Community Health Services , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Kenya , Pneumonia/therapy , Socioeconomic Factors
11.
J. infect. dev. ctries ; 1(3): 308-314, 2007.
Article in English | AIM (Africa) | ID: biblio-1263551

ABSTRACT

Background: Many maternity hospitals in developing country settings deliver women who are of unknown HIV status. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the acceptability of post-partum infant cord blood HIV testing and the subsequent uptake of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study among infants delivered to women of unknown HIV status at the maternity ward of the Kenyatta National hospital; Kenya. At the time of delivery; five milliliters of cord blood was collected from consecutive singleton-birth infants born to women with unknown HIV status. After delivery; the women were counseled and consent was sought for HIV antibody testing of the cord blood. Anti-retroviral post-exposure prophylaxis was provided for HIV exposed infants and their mothers counseled on infant feeding. Results: Overall 220 (87) of the 253 mothers gave consent for HIV testing. This included 35 (90) of 40 mothers of babies with HIV positive cord blood and 184 (86.4) of 213 with HIV negative cord blood. Seventeen (48.6) of the 35 women who knew their status accepted to administer anti-retroviral prophylaxis to their infants; and 28 (80) chose to breast-feed their infants. Conclusions: Infant cord blood testing is highly acceptable among women who deliver with an unknown HIV status and provides an additional entry point for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV


Subject(s)
Fetal Blood , HIV Infections , Infant , Maternal-Fetal Exchange
12.
East Afr Med J ; 83(12): 684-8, 2006 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17685215

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To draw attention to the sub-optimal care that HIV-infected children are receiving in Africa. DATA SOURCES: Relevant published literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Sub-optimal response to paediatric HIV infection has aggravated the negative impact that the epidemic has had on child health in Africa. Recently the African Network for the Care of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (ANNECA) released an advocacy statement that called for the optimisation of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for children affected by the AIDS pandemic. Effective prevention strategies if comprehensively implemented, could prevent more than 500 000 paediatric infections per annum at current antenatal HIV prevalence rates. Improved care that includes universal utilisation of early diagnostic testing systems, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, nutritional support and the timely introduction of antiretroviral therapy could improve the quality of life and lifespan of most infected children. CONCLUSION: Political leaders, public health officials and fellow child health professionals are urged to redouble their efforts to reverse the magnitude of the paediatric epidemic in Africa.


Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/mortality , Adolescent , Africa/epidemiology , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Humans , Public Health , Survival Analysis
13.
East Afr Med J ; 80(6): 303-7, 2003 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12953739

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Control of acute respiratory infections (ARI) is a major public health problem in developing countries. Implementation of case management protocols requires participation of the community to reduce morbidity and mortality from ARI. Health education programmes can only be effective when designed to take into account the prevailing knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the community towards ARI in their children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the KAP of mothers regarding ARI in their children aged less than five years. DESIGN: Community based cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Baringo District, Kenya. SUBJECTS: Mothers with children aged 0-5 years were recruited following stratified random sampling in three areas of Baringo District to represent low, medium and high potential areas based on agricultural productivity. INTERVENTION: A mixed structured and unstructured questionnaire was administered to each of the respondent mothers by the investigator; with the help of an interpreter where necessary. RESULTS: A total of 309 mothers were interviewed. Their mean age was 31.5 years (range 16-51) and 34% had no formal education. Only 18% of mothers described pneumonia satisfactorily. 60.2% knew that measles is preventable by immunisation. 87.1% of the mothers said they would seek health centre services for severe ARI. Formal education had a positive influence on the KAP of the mothers. CONCLUSION: The study reveals that the mothers had good knowledge of mild forms of ARI but not the severe forms. Their attitude to ARI was appropriate but subsequent practices were not. Low utilisation of health services for moderate ARI may result in continued high mortality because of delayed identification of seriously ill children.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mothers/education , Respiratory Tract Infections , Adolescent , Adult , Child, Preschool , Computer Graphics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kenya , Middle Aged , Rural Population , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
JAMA ; 286(19): 2413-20, 2001 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11712936

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Breastfeeding among women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is associated with substantial risk of HIV-1 transmission, but little is known about the morbidity risks associated with formula feeding in infants of HIV-1-infected women in resource-poor settings. OBJECTIVE: To compare morbidity, nutritional status, mortality adjusted for HIV-1 status, and cause of death among formula-fed and breastfed infants of HIV-1-infected women. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial conducted between 1992 and 1998. SETTING: Four antenatal clinics in Nairobi, Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: Of 401 live-born, singleton, or first-born twin infants of randomized HIV-1-seropositive mothers, 371 were included in the analysis of morbidity and mortality. INTERVENTIONS: Mothers were randomly assigned either to use formula (n = 186) or to breastfeed (n = 185) their infants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality rates, adjusted for HIV-1 infection status; morbidity; and nutritional status during the first 2 years of life. RESULTS: Two-year estimated mortality rates among infants were similar in the formula-feeding and breastfeeding arms (20.0% vs 24.4%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-1.3), even after adjusting for HIV-1 infection status (HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7-1.7). Infection with HIV-1 was associated with a 9.0-fold increased mortality risk (95% CI, 5.3-15.3). The incidence of diarrhea during the 2 years of follow-up was similar in formula and breastfeeding arms (155 vs 149 per 100 person-years, respectively). The incidence of pneumonia was identical in the 2 groups (62 per 100 person-years), and there were no significant differences in incidence of other recorded illnesses. Infants in the breastfeeding arm tended to have better nutritional status, significantly so during the first 6 months of life. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized clinical trial, infants assigned to be formula fed or breastfed had similar mortality rates and incidence of diarrhea and pneumonia during the first 2 years of life. However, HIV-1-free survival at 2 years was significantly higher in the formula arm. With appropriate education and access to clean water, formula feeding can be a safe alternative to breastfeeding for infants of HIV-1-infected mothers in a resource-poor setting.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1 , Infant Food , Infant Mortality , Adult , Cause of Death , Developing Countries , Diarrhea, Infantile/epidemiology , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kenya , Male , Morbidity , Nutritional Status , Pneumonia/epidemiology , Proportional Hazards Models , Risk , Survival Analysis
15.
East Afr Med J ; 78(2): 75-9, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11682950

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To define the frequency and timing of breast milk transmission of HIV-1. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of data abstracted from published literature. SUBJECTS: Participants in prospective cohort studies of MTCT of HIV-1. Cohorts were separated on the basis of breast feeding duration. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-1 transmission rates. RESULTS: Two thousand three hundred and seventy five HIV-1 infected women and their infants, 499 of whom breast fed, the estimated risk of breast milk HIV-1 transmission was 16% (95% CI: 9, 22%). Among breastfeeding infants, forty seven per cent of HIV-1 infections were attributable to breast feeding. Breast milk transmission risk was 21% (95% CI: 10, 33%) in cohorts with mean/median duration of breast feeding > or = 3 months and 13% (95% CI: 4, 21%) in cohorts with median duration of breast feeding < 2 months. In a separate analysis of 702 infants with prolonged duration of breast feeding, the risk of late postnatal transmission (infection occurring later than three to six months of age) was four per cent (95% CI 2, 5%). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that breast milk transmission of HIV-1 is substantial and continues throughout the postnatal period. Early cessation of breast feeding at six months would avert some but not most infant HIV-1 infections due to breast feeding. While recently published studies showing some effectiveness of antiretrovirals early during the breast feeding period are encouraging, prevention of breast milk HIV-1 transmission needs to remain a high research priority.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1 , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/statistics & numerical data , Milk, Human/virology , Puerperal Infection/transmission , Female , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV-1/genetics , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prospective Studies , Puerperal Infection/diagnosis , Puerperal Infection/prevention & control , Risk Factors , Time Factors
16.
Lancet ; 357(9269): 1651-5, 2001 May 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11425369

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We have completed a randomised clinical trial of breastfeeding and formula feeding to identify the frequency of breastmilk transmission of HIV-1 to infants. However, we also analysed data from this trial to examine the effect of breastfeeding on maternal death rates during 2 years after delivery. We report our findings from this secondary analysis. METHODS: Pregnant women attending four Nairobi city council clinics were offered HIVtests. At about 32 weeks' gestation, 425 HIV-1 seropositive women were randomly allocated to either breastfeed or formula feed their infants. After delivery, mother-infant pairs were followed up monthly during the first year and quarterly during the second year until death, or 2 years after delivery, or end of study. FINDINGS: Mortality among mothers was higher in the breastfeeding group than in the formula group (18 vs 6 deaths, log rank test, p=0.009). The cumulative probability of maternal death at 24 months after delivery was 10.5% in the breastfeeding group and 3.8% in the formula group (p=0.02). The relative risk of death for breastfeeding mothers versus formula feeding mothers was 3.2 (95% CI 1.3-8.1, p=0.01). The attributable risk of maternal death due to breastfeeding was 69%. There was an association between maternal death and subsequent infant death, even after infant HIV-1 infection status was controlled for (relative risk 7.9, 95% CI 3.3-18.6, p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that breastfeeding by HIV-1 infected women might result in adverse outcomes for both mother and infant.


Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , HIV Infections/mortality , HIV-1 , Puerperal Infection/mortality , Adult , Bottle Feeding , Cause of Death , Female , HIV Infections/transmission , Humans , Infant , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Kenya , Milk, Human/virology , Puerperal Infection/transmission , Survival Analysis
17.
J Infect Dis ; 184(1): 89-92, 2001 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11398114

ABSTRACT

The CCR5 chemokine receptor acts as a coreceptor with CD4 to permit infection by primary macrophage-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains. The CCR5Delta32 mutation, which is associated with resistance to infection in homozygous individuals and delayed disease progression in heterozygous individuals, is rare in Africa, where the HIV-1 epidemic is growing rapidly. Several polymorphisms in the promoter region of CCR5 have been identified, the clinical and functional relevance of which remain poorly defined. We evaluated the effect of 4 CCR5 promoter mutations on systemic and mucosal HIV-1 replication, disease progression, and perinatal transmission in a cohort of 276 HIV-1-seropositive women in Nairobi, Kenya. Mutations at positions 59353, 59402, and 59029 were not associated with effects on mortality, virus load, genital shedding, or transmission in this cohort. However, women with the 59356 C/T genotype had a 3.1-fold increased risk of death during the 2-year follow-up period (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-9.5) and a significant increase in vaginal shedding of HIV-1-infected cells (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.3), compared with women with the 59356 C/C genotype.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1 , Polymorphism, Genetic , Receptors, CCR5/genetics , Adult , Breast Feeding , Cohort Studies , Female , Genotype , HIV Infections/genetics , HIV-1/pathogenicity , Heterozygote , Homozygote , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Kenya , Male , Survival Rate , Viral Load , Viremia/genetics
19.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr ; 26(2): 170-5, 2001 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11242185

ABSTRACT

PRINCIPLES: HIV-1 in female genital secretions has been measured using swabs, Sno Strips (Akorn, Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL), and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), but little is known regarding the comparability of these collection techniques. METHODS: We compared HIV-1 RNA detection and quantity in specimens obtained from HIV-1-seropositive women in Kenya using three sample collection techniques and three storage techniques and evaluated reproducibility in samples collected 5 days apart. Specimens were stored in no medium, freezing medium, or TRI Reagent (Molecular Research Center, Cincinnati, OH) for 2 to 15 months. RESULTS: HIV-1 RNA assays were conducted on 640 specimens from 20 antiretroviral naive women. Storage in TRI Reagent significantly enhanced detection of genital HIV-1 and yielded significantly higher mean log10 RNA levels than specimens collected in either no or freezing medium. The prevalence of HIV-1 RNA detection in TRI Reagent ranged from 50% to 80% depending on collection method and was highest in cervical swabs. Mean log10 HIV-1 RNA levels were 3.1 log10 copies/cervical swab, 2.6 log10 copies/cervical Sno Strip, 2.5 log10 copies/vaginal swab, 2.4 log10 copies/vaginal Sno Strip, 2.9 log10 copies/ml for cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) cell pellet, and 2.1 log10 copies/ml in CVL supernatant. Comparing specimens from days 1 and 6, there was significant concordance of HIV-1 RNA detection and correlation of HIV-1 RNA levels for cervical swabs, vaginal swabs, vaginal Sno Strips, and CVL cell pellets (kappa, 0.5-0.9; r, 0.5-0.9), but not for cervical Sno Strips or CVL supernatants. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical or vaginal swab, vaginal Sno Strip, and CVL collection led to reproducible measurement of genital HIV-1 RNA, despite storage for several months and international transport. Collection using swabs was simpler than Sno Strips or cervicovaginal lavage, and yielded the highest prevalence of HIV-1 RNA detection and reproducibility.


Subject(s)
Cervix Uteri/virology , HIV Seropositivity/virology , HIV-1/isolation & purification , RNA, Viral/analysis , Vagina/virology , Cervix Uteri/metabolism , Female , HIV Seropositivity/epidemiology , HIV-1/genetics , Humans , Kenya/epidemiology , Microbiological Techniques , RNA, Viral/blood , Reproducibility of Results , Specimen Handling , Time Factors , Vagina/metabolism , Vaginal Smears
20.
J Infect Dis ; 183(2): 206-212, 2001 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11120927

ABSTRACT

To determine the effects of plasma, genital, and breast milk human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and breast infections on perinatal HIV-1 transmission, a nested case-control study was conducted within a randomized clinical trial of breast-feeding and formula feeding among HIV-1-seropositive mothers in Nairobi, Kenya. In analyses comparing 92 infected infants with 187 infants who were uninfected at 2 years, maternal viral RNA levels >43,000 copies/mL (cohort median) were associated with a 4-fold increase in risk of transmission (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-7.2). Maternal cervical HIV-1 DNA (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.4), vaginal HIV-1 DNA (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7), and cervical or vaginal ulcers (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-5.8) were significantly associated with infant infection, independent of plasma virus load. Breast-feeding (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.9) and mastitis (relative risk [RR], 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-12.7) were associated with increased transmission overall, and mastitis (RR, 21.8; 95% CI, 2.3-211.0) and breast abscess (RR, 51.6; 95% CI, 4.7-571.0) were associated with late transmission (occurring >2 months postpartum). Use of methods that decrease infant exposure to HIV-1 in maternal genital secretions or breast milk may enhance currently recommended perinatal HIV-1 interventions.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/transmission , HIV-1/isolation & purification , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Adolescent , Adult , Bottle Feeding , Breast Feeding , Case-Control Studies , Cervix Uteri/virology , Child, Preschool , DNA, Viral/analysis , Female , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/physiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kenya , Mastitis/virology , Milk, Human/virology , Pregnancy , RNA, Viral/blood , Risk Factors , Vagina/virology , Viral Load , Virus Shedding
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