Gender Issues

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in HIV-Positive Patients on the Island of Bioko: Its Relation to Sanitary Conditions and Socioeconomic Factors

  • Source:
  • Roka M. 2012. Sci Total Environ, July 2012.

  • Summary:
  • Gender, educational level and low hygiene were associated with intestinal parasitic infection. When comparing the two groups (HIV-positive and HIV-negative), statistical association between HIV co-infection and infection by Giardia and Entamoeba was found. The findings showed high rates of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-positive people and in the HIV-negative group, suggesting a closer relationship between sanitary status and living conditions than with immune status.

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Gender Issues Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles
  • HIV and H(2)O: Tracing the Connections Between Gender, Water and HIV

    • Source:
    • West BS, Hirsch JS, El-Sadr W. 2012. AIDS Behav. 2012 Jun 4. Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.

    • Summary:
    • The health consequences for HIV-affected families of insufficient access to safe water and sanitation are particularly dire: inadequate access complicates medication adherence and increases vulnerability to opportunistic infections for persons living with HIV. The gendered nature of water collection and HIV care-with women disproportionately bearing the burden in both areas-presents an unrealized opportunity to improve HIV outcomes through investments in water/sanitation. Our findings suggest that the positive synergies of investing in water/sanitation in high HIV prevalence communities that are also expanding access to ART would be significant, with health multiplying effects that impact women and entire communities.

  • Keywords:
  • Accessing Water Evidence Base Gender Issues Journal Articles Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • Clinical and Social Determinants of Diarrhoeal Disease in a Rural HIV/AIDS Clinic, South Africa: A Case-Control Study

    • Source:
    • Moshabela M. 2012. Int J STD AIDS, May 2012, 23:346—350

    • Summary:
    • Diarrheal diseases are a common cause of morbidity and are associated with mortality in HIV-infected populations. Little is known about the contribution of clinical and socio-environmental factors to the risk of diarrhea in these populations in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The authors conducted a case-control study of people attending a rural HIV clinic with an episode of diarrhea in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. In multivariate analysis, diarrhea remained associated with female gender, limited access to water and pre-ART status. Further intervention research is urgently needed, combining community- and clinic-based approaches, to improve access to water, sanitation and ART for rural areas with high HIV prevalence, along with structural interventions to address gender inequities.

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Gender Issues Journal Articles
  • Health Impact of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in Relation to Home-Based Care for People Living with HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo Province

    • Source:
    • Potgieter N, du Preez M. 2012. WRC

    • Summary:
    • A substantial burden of the care of people with HIV and AIDS has been placed on the elderly, school-going children, family members, friends and different care organizations within the community. Among many governments and communities, home-based care is based on volunteers whom are unrecognized, under-valued and frequently unpaid. They are largely women and girls. Home-based care is seen as work that does not require remuneration and therefore it is not currently considered within the scope of policies and legislation. The aim of the Water Research Commission project was to investigate home-based care practices with regards to the experiences of caregivers and to perform a health risk assessment of the water used for domestic purposes in households caring for people living with HIV and AIDS.

  • Keywords:
  • Evidence Base Gender Issues Handwashing (Hand Washing) Home-Based Care Household Water Treatment & Storage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal