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Aims: The combination of knowledge, attitudes and practices is an important psycho-behavioural mechanism in the disease-management strategies of HIV patients. This study reviews the global evidence of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of HIV patients. Design: Systematic review. Data sources: Four databases-Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science (WOS) were searched from January 10 to April 25, 2021. Methods: Databases were searched for the predefined keywords of "knowledge", "attitudes", "practices", "people living with HIV/AIDS" and "HIV/AIDS". The inclusion criteria were limited to time range, language and study types and nature. PRISMA was followed and JBI quality assessment tools for cross-sectional and qualitative studies were used. Results: A total of 18 papers have been selected for the extraction of 1964 articles. The KAP were assessed related to nutrition, infant feeding, disclosure of HIV/AIDS, WASH (or hygiene), oral health, cancer-related domains with HIV/AIDS and HA(ART). Relevant dimensional KAP were incorporated with the basic items about HIV/AIDS. Overall, a mixed level of knowledge, discriminatory attitudes and malpractices were observed throughout the study. Socio-economic, counselling, support and dimensions related factors were identified as associated risk factors. Conclusion: Variation in assessing KAP is a critical problem and unique, outcome-based KAP assessment tools integrated with qualitative assessments were suggested to examine the interrelationship of the KAP components and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Opportunistic infections (OIs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals are infections that are more frequent or more severe than normal because of HIV-mediated immunosuppression. When these OIs occur in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in the form of relapse or reinfection, they are said to be a reoccurrence of OI. This study will try to identify gaps in addressing the burden in the study area. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 HIV/AIDS patients with previous OIs attending a public health facility in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia. This study was conducted from 5 April 2020 to 20 April 2020. Computer-generated simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the reoccurrence of OIs. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was used to determine significant association. The results were reported as numerical figures, tables, and diagrams, based on the type of data. Results: The mean ± standard deviation age of the 450 study participants was 34.3± 8.47 years. Eighty patients (17.8%) had chronic disease. In total, 119 HIV/AIDS patients (26.4%) were diagnosed with reoccurrence of OIs. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the major reoccurring OI. Age, rural residence, chronic disease, baseline anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence, current hemoglobin level, and current cell differentiation-4 (CD4) count were factors significantly associated with reoccurrence. Conclusion: Although the magnitude of reoccurrence of OIs was lower than in previous studies, efforts have to be continued among stakeholders to tackle factors associated with the reoccurrence of OIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the HIV/AIDS - related knowledge and attitudes amongst medical, dental and nursing students of Saveetha University, Chennai. With increasing number of people having HIV/AIDS, students of medicine and health allied science should have sufficient knowledge about the transmission of the disease, and their attitude should meet professional expectations. Materials and Method: A self-administered questionnaire was devised and a cross sectional study was conducted on 300 students in toto i.e. 100 medical students, 100 dental students and 100 nursing students. Data recorded was subjected to statistical analysis and appropriate conclusions were drawn. Results: A small number of students in the medical fraternity had inadequate knowledge and misconceptions about HIV and harboured negative attitude towards HIV patients. Conclusion: The findings from our study suggest that in order to instil a professional, ethical and empathetic approach towards AIDS patients, awareness and training programs are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the efficacy of low level laser application, GaAIAs, in oral manifestations of Necrotizing Ulcerative Periodontitis (NUP) in HIV seropositive patients. The initial aim was to reduce the use of systemic analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications. Materials and Methods: Fourteen HIV-positive patients with NUP were divided into two groups as follows: Group A, control: no laser but conventional periodontal treatment. Group B, laser: conventional periodontal treatment with reduced systemic medications plus therapeutic laser application. Results: The patients from group B exhibited better results in terms of pain control and tissue recovery when compared with patients from group A. Conclusion: Laser application resulted in better pain relief and tissue healing, and it is recommended that it be included in the clinical treatment of NUP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the efficiency of the Ga:Al:As laser in the stimulation of tissue repair and analgesic effect after tooth extractions in HIV/AIDS-positive patients. Materials and Methods: The low-potency laser Ga:Al:As (790 nm. 30 mw fixed potency) was applied in 15 HIV/AIDS-positive patients who required extractions totaling 36 teeth. Platelet count, T-CD4 lymphocytes, and the viral load of each patient were examined. After extraction and suturing, the low-potency laser beam was applied to the surgical area parallel to the long axis of the alveolus for a period of 2 min. All the patients were instructed not to use any medications or supplementary treatments. The postoperative exam was performed days after surgery, including the suture removal, periapical radiograph, area wound healing evaluation, and a questionnaire to evaluate postoperative pain. Results and Conclusion; The patients generally reported a comfortable postoperative period. If pain was present, it was very slight and required no medication or other therapy. The process of tissue regeneration and surgical wound healing took less time than with conventional procedures. Although the patients presented various degrees immune suppression as measured by the T-CD4 lymphocyte count, and some had a high viral load, all responded satisfactorily in the postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burden of HIV/AIDS in Iran is not as high as in the other countries with high prevalence; however, the number of cases of HIV/AIDs is increasing in this region. According to a recent report, Iran had 5000 (1400–13,000) new cases of HIV infection with 4000 (2500–6200) AIDS-related deaths. Individuals affected by HIV/AIDS are highly susceptible for developing opportunistic infections, e.g. the cerebral complications related to pathogenic free-living amoebae and colonization of free-living amoebae (FLA) can be a serious hazard for patients living with HIV/AIDS. In the present study, a total of 70 oral and nasal mucosal samples were obtained from HIV/AIDS patients referred to the reference hospitals in Iran and tested for the presence of potentially pathogenic FLA using culture and PCR/sequencing-based methods. To discern the taxonomic status of Acanthamoeba genotypes a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed and tolerance assays were performed for the positive Acanthamoeba strains. Among the patients with HIV/AIDS referred to the reference hospitals from 2017 to 2019, 7.1% were found positive for pathogenic free-living amoebae. Three strains (HA3, HA4, and HA5) belonged to the T4 genotype, one strain (HA1) was related to the T5 genotype assigned as A. lenticulata, and another strain (HA2) had high homology to Vermamoeba vermiformis. The tolerance assay used for Acanthamoeba strains (HA1, HA3, and HA4) classified these amoebae as highly pathogenic strains. For the most part, the encephalitis cases occurring in HIV/AIDS patients in Iran remain undiagnosed due to lack of awareness of the practitioners on the available diagnostic tools for this lethal infection; therefore, the true incidence of GAE in this region is unknown. A possible colonization with FLA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspected cases of CNS infections among HIV/AIDS patients. This study is the first worldwide comprehensive study attempting to isolate and identify the FLA colonization in HIV/AIDS patients. This study highlights the fact that clinicians should be aware of the differential diagnosis of cerebral disease related to FLA in patients with HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Histoplasmosis is a frequent fungal infection in HIV/AIDS patients, with high morbimortality rates when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Antibody detection, which is faster than the gold standard culture test, hastens the laboratory investigation. Objectives: To evaluate the role of WB for antibody detection in the diagnosis of histoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with proven or probable histoplasmosis were included. Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data were described in the same population after a review of their medical records. WB was performed using deglycosylated histoplasmin. Results: About 82% of patients were adult males and the mean age was 39.3 years. CD4+ T lymphocyte count less than 150 cells/mm3 was observed in 62% patients. Antibodies against Histoplasma capsulatum M antigen were detected in 62% of patients, and against both M and H antigens in 28% of individuals. Sera from 10% of patients were nonreactive. Histoplasmosis was the first opportunistic infection in 38% of the cases. Disseminated and pulmonary histoplasmosis occurred in 84% and 16% of patients, respectively. The overall mortality was 16%. Conclusion: WB could be useful for the histoplasmosis diagnosis in HIV/AIDS patients because of its easefulness and good sensitivity in a population where antibody production is hampered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship among the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and quality of life and its different dimension and know the role of 'knowledge of HIV/AIDS as predicator in the quality of life and its different dimensions. A sample of total 200 HIV/AIDS patients (100 males and 100 females) was contracted from ICTC,ART & PPTCT of Gorakhpur districts. Results revealed that psychological, social and environmental domain has been significantly co-related with knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that 13% variance of quality of life (R2 change = .136) has been explained by the predictor that is knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The beta value is (.20) and t is significant (3.09, p<.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Primary - To measure the prevalence of pain in HIV/AIDS with patients. Secondary - To assess the type, site, severity, management of pain and impact of pain on quality of life in these patients. Design: Multicentre cross-sectional survey (This paper is a pilot study). Settings: ART centre at St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore and Snehadan, A supportive and care centre for HIV/ AIDS patients at Bangalore. Materials and Methods: Data sheet, Brief pain inventory and Short - Form McGill pain questionnaire. Subjects: This is an ongoing study and the pilot study includes 140 HIV/AIDS patients in different stages of the disease. Results: About 66.7% (28/42) in-patients and 24.5% (24/98) out-patients complained of pain. Of the 52 patients who reported pain, 32% (14/52) reported neuropathic pain and 68% (38/52) reported noci-ceptive pain. Headache was most common followed by pain in the soles of feet and low back. Only 26.9% (17/52) received any form of analgesic. Pain severity significantly affects the quality of life. Conclusions: Pain is a common and debilitating symptom of HIV/AIDS. It is however, under-estimated and under treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of people facing threatening diseases by allowing them a dignified death. Therefore, it is crucial to take into account the user's preference of where to be taken care of during the terminal phase of illness. Palliative care in Rwanda is at an early phase of development; therefore, effective planning and implementation that considers the user's view on where to be taken care of is important. This study investigated where HIV/AIDS patients wanted to be cared for in the terminal phase of illness. The results form part of a larger study on met and unmet palliative care needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in selected areas in Rwanda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The overall pooled prevalence of malaria in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. • Prevalence of malaria among HIV patients decreased by a substantial level. • HIV patients with low CD4 + T cell count (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) were more likely to become infected with malaria. • Patients on antiretroviral therapy and in WHO clinical stages I and II had lower odds of been infected with malaria. Malaria related HIV morbidity and death is a concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the epidemiology of malaria among people living with HIV is vital for adequate intervention. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of malaria in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched PubMed, AJOL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The overall pooled prevalence and pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using the random-effects model and potential causes of heterogeneity in prevalence estimates were investigated using subgroup and meta-regression analysis. 58 studies, including 23,911 HIV patients, were identified between January 1990 and October 2020. The overall pooled prevalence of malaria in HIV patients was 22.7% (95% CI 18.0; 28.1). The Prevalence of malaria among HIV/AIDS patients was 33.1%, 30.2%, 15.3%, and 12.6% in Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern regions of SSA respectively. Prevalence of malaria in the central and western was higher [26.7% (95% CI 20.6; 33.9)] than 13.6% reported in the southern and eastern regions (95% CI 8.8; 20.5). There was a significant decrease in malaria prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients in the Eastern and Southern SSA regions from 21.9% (95% CI 15.5; 30.0) in the 2000-2010 period to 9.7% (95% CI 5.5-16.4) in the post-2010 period compared to the central and western regions. HIV infected patients with low CD4 + T cell count (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) were 2.19 times more likely to become infected with malaria than those with high CD4 + T cell count (CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3) (pooled odds ratio (POR): 2.19 (95%CI 1.20;3.98), while patients on antiretroviral therapy (POR): 0.37 (0.23; 0.59), and in WHO clinical stages I and II (POR): 0.64 (0.28; 1.46), had a lower odds of been infected with malaria. Our review suggests that due consideration should be given to malaria among HIV/AIDS patients in SSA. In particular, the assessment and improvement of preventive measures for malaria/HIV co-infection in high-prevalence regions is important. For the treatment of both diseases, prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole and antiretroviral therapy should also be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum iron was estimated in 105 human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome (AIDS) patients, 20 HIV-negative sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients and 25 voluntary healthy controls. Twenty-two clinical AIDS patients, 8 immunological AIDS patients, 2 HIV seropositive and 8 non-HIV STD controls had serum iron <60 μg/dl (Hb: <10 gm). Two clinical AIDS patients and two non-HIV STD controls showed serum iron level >161 μg/dl (Hb: 12-14 gm). Anemia was prevalent in AIDS cases, and the study of survival period may be unfolded in follow-up. Bone marrow biopsy could not be performed to identify the suppression of hemopoiesis in 4 patients, who showed >161 μg/dl of serum iron. Study of iron supplementation and long-term follow-up are necessary to unfold the risks and benefi ts of iron supplementation in HIV/AIDS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among people living with HIV/AIDS attending Gimbi General hospital, West Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 404 HIV/AIDS patients, from March 01 to March 30, 2018. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with depression. Possible association and statistical significance were measured using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and P-value less than 0.05. Results: A total of 393 HIV/AIDS patients were included in this study. Out of this, 41.7% had depression. Perceived social stigma (AOR = 6.98, 95% CI 3.07, 15.86), opportunistic infection (AOR = 9.38, 95% CI 4.21, 20.89), adverse drug reaction (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI 1.58, 8.81), absence of family/social support (AOR = 9.97, 95% CI 3.57, 27.86), and presence of other chronic diseases (AOR = 6.14, 95% CI 1.66, 22.68) were significantly associated with depression. The level of depression among HIV/AIDS patient in this study was high. The clinician should early recognize and treat drug side effects, early detect and manage opportunistic infection and other chronic diseases, and give health information about the disease for the community to reduce social stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]