"It doesn't exist, only other people have it, or it's bad luck": perceptions of HIV as barriers to its prevention in Bata.

BACKGROUND: Currently, Africa is the region of the world where the highest number of new cases of HIV infection are registered. In 2022, Equatorial Guinea was the Central African country with the highest HIV prevalence (6.9%) and incidence (3.80 per 1,000 amongst the population of all ages). The main objective of this study was to determine the perceptions of HIV and the meanings given to it among the population of Equatorial Guinea in order to assess to what extent they represent a barrier to the prevention strategies implemented hitherto. METHODS: A total of 30 semi-structured interviews and nine focal groups were carried out. FINDINGS: The interviewees' testimonies revealed a combination of differing perceptions and meanings around HIV. In some cases, HIV was perceived as "a non-existent illness", and in others as "a disease of others", or as "a disease of bad luck". Other majority perceptions of HIV classed it as "a deadly disease" or "a sexual illness". CONCLUSIONS: All these perceptions of HIV and the social representations constructed around it can represent a barrier to adopting preventive practices. Hence, in order to improve efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness, it is recommended that HIV prevention policies take into account the heterogeneity of meanings linked to the different social groups that have contracted the virus.

Los programas de tratamiento con metadona: situación real e ideal, definida por profesionales de Andalucía / The methadone maintenance programs: real and ideal situation, definition by Andalucia´s professionals

Objetivos. Se explora la situación actual de los programas de tratamiento con metadona (PTM) en Andalucía, definida por los profesionales implicados y cómo ellos valoran que dicho programa debiera ser en términos de excelencia. Para ello se ofrecen propuestas y medidas de mejora con las que acercar las situaciones descritas. Material y métodos. Reunión de expertos articulada con una variante del grupo nominal. Participaron 9 profesionales. Resultados. La situación ideal y en términos de excelencia de los PTM no concuerda en buena parte de sus cláusulas con la realidad actual de estas intervenciones. Los aspectos más destacados sobre cómo debieran ser los PTM son la dispensación, la agilidad y rapidez de los programas, junto a la existencia de una buena coordinación entre los recursos. La descripción y valoración de la situación actual de los PTM es menos favorable con rela ción a la situación ideal definida por los asistentes. Se recogen y puntúan propuestas y medidas de mejora con las que acercar ambas situaciones. Conclusiones. Aunque los PTM sean intervenciones de eficacia comprobada por la evidencia científica, son susceptibles de mejora. Para ello recoger la voz de los protagonistas directos en estas prácticas es importante para asegurar su continuidad y dotarlos de mayor calidad

Objectives. This study explores the methadone maintenance programs (MMPs) currently offered in Andalucia based on the opinions of providers involved, as well as their views on how these programs should be organised to achieve excelence. In order to advance towards this goal, proposals and measures for improvement are also provided. Material and methods. Experts' consensus meeting (9 providers) based on an adaptation of the nominal group technique. Results. there is a lack of concordance between the ideal situation of the MMPs in terms of excelence and the real situation of current service provision. The most relevant components of an ideal MMP were dispensing procedures, steadiness and rapidity in program provision, and good coordination across available resources. Description and assessment of the actual situation was less favourable when compared with the ideal situation as defined by participants. Proposals and measures for program improvement to approach both situations were also gathered. Conclusions. Although available scientific evidence has proved the efficiency of MMT programs, there is still room for improvement. Therefore, it is important to gather the views of the main actors in order to ensure the continuity of existing programs and to improve their quality