Journal Articles
Source:
- Nkenfou CN, Nana CT, Payne VK (2013) Intestinal Parasitic Infections in HIV Infected and Non-Infected Patients in a Low HIV Prevalence Region, West-Cameroon. PLoS ONE 8(2): e57914. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057914
Summary:
- The magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients requires careful consideration in the developing world where poor nutrition is associated with poor hygiene and several tropical diseases. However, there have been very few studies addressing this issue in Cameroon. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Dschang -Cameroon. Stool and blood specimens from HIV/AIDS patients and control group were screened respectively for intestinal parasites and for HIV antibodies. Intestinal parasites were identified using direct microscopy, formalin-ether concentration and Ziehl Neelsen methods. Out of 396 participants recruited among patients consulting at hospital, 42 (10.6%) were HIV positive, thirty of them treatment naïve. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 14.64%. Out of 42 HIV/AIDS patients, 59.5% (25/42) were infected with intestinal parasites, while only 9.32% (33/354) of the HIV negative patients were infected with intestinal parasites. The parasites detected in our study population included Crystosporidium parvum (2.53%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.52%), Entamoeba coli (4.04%), Giardia lamblia (0.25%), Trichuris trichura (0.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%). In the HIV infected group, Crystosporidium parvum (19.04%), Entamoeba histolytica (19.04%), Entamoeba coli (21.42%), Giardia lamblia (2.38%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.25%) and Taenia spp. (0.25%) were found. Crystosporidium parvum was found to be significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients than in controls (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the HIV status and the quality of water were the major risk factors for intestinal parasitosis. Routine examinations of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit the HIV patients by contributing in reducing morbidity and improving the efficiency of antiretroviral treatment. Even after the introduction of free anti-retroviral drugs, opportunistic intestinal infections are still a threat. HIV patients should be screened routinely for intestinal parasites and treated for their overall well being.
Keywords:
Evidence Base Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
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
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
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
Source:
- Okronipa, H et al. 2012. AIDS Behav, 16: 2216-2225.
Summary:
- HIV infection is linked to increased prevalence of depression which may affect maternal caregiving practices and place infants at increased risk of illness. We examined the incidence and days ill with diarrhea among infants of HIV positive (HIV-P), HIV negative (HIV-N), and unknown HIV status (HIV-U) women, and determined if symptoms of maternal postnatal depression (PND) modulated the risk of diarrhea. Pregnant women (n = 492) were recruited from three antenatal clinics; mothers and infants were followed for
12 months postpartum. Diarrheal incidence was 0.6 episodes/100 days at risk. More HIV-P than HIV-N and HIV-U women tended to report PND symptoms (v 2 = 4.76; P = 0.09). Reporting symptoms was associated with an increased risk of infantile diarrhea only among HIV-P and HIV-U but not HIVN women (interaction term, v 2 = 7.84; P = 0.02). Health care providers should be aware of the increased risk of infantile diarrhea when both maternal HIV and PND symptoms are present and take preventive action.
Keywords:
Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
Source:
- Kahn J, Muraguri N, Harris B. 2012. PLoS One, Feb 2012
Summary:
- Efficiently delivered interventions to reduce HIV, malaria, and diarrhea are essential to accelerating global health efforts. A 2008 community-integrated prevention campaign in Western Province, Kenya, reached 47,000 individuals over seven days, providing HIV testing and counseling, water filters, insecticide-treated bed nets, condoms, and for HIV-infected individuals, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and referral for ongoing care. The program modeled the potential cost-effectiveness of a scaled-up integrated prevention campaign. A mass, rapidly implemented campaign for HIV testing, safe water, and malaria control appears economically attractive.
Keywords:
Diarrheal Diseases Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles Programming Guidance
Source:
- Coutsoudis A et al. 2010. AIDS November 2010. A. Coutsoudis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Summary:
- HIV-infected women experienced more morbidity and mortality than HIV-uninfected women; this was predicted by maternal immune status and socio-economic factors. HIV-infected women even in the high CD4 strata had higher mortality than HIV-uninfected women from the same population. This study underlines the importance of interventions to improve maternal health, for example, timely antiretroviral treatment, tuberculosis screening, and improved water and sanitation.
Keywords:
Evidence Base Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health Sanitation/Feces Disposal
