Natural healers: a review of animal assisted therapy and activities as complementary treatment for chronic conditions

The primary objective of this review is to synthesize the existing literature on the use of animal-assisted therapy and activity (AAT/A) as complementary treatment among people living with chronic disease and to discuss the possible application of this practice among children living with HIV. Relevant databases were searched between March 10 and April 11, 2011, using the words: animal assisted therapy or treatment and chronic conditions or diseases. Thirty-one articles were found and 18 followed the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Research suggests that AAT/A is effective for different patient profiles, particularly children. Interaction with dogs has been found to increase positive behaviors, such as sensitivity and focus, in children with social disabilities. Decreased levels of pain have also been reported among child patients as a result of AAT/A. More research should be done in the area of children living with chronic diseases that require strict adherence to treatment, such as HIV, and on AAT/A's prospective use as an educational tool to teach children about the importance of self-care for their medical conditions.

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Reasons for Marijuana Use and Its Perceived Effectiveness in Therapeutic and Recreational Marijuana Users Among People Living with HIV in Florida

Cannabis ◽

10.26828/cannabis/2021.01.002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 40-52

Author(s):

Ruba Sajdeya ◽

Verlin Joseph ◽

Nichole Setten ◽

Gladys Ibañez ◽

Yan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Conditions ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Perceived Effectiveness ◽

Recreational Marijuana ◽

The Mean ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Recreational Use ◽

Reasons For Use ◽

Specific Reason

Therapeutic and recreational marijuana use are common among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, the distinction between perceived "therapeutic" and "recreational" use is blurred, with little information about the specific reasons for use and perceived marijuana effectiveness in adults with chronic conditions. We aimed to compare reasons for use and reason-specific perceived marijuana effectiveness between therapeutic and recreational users among PLWH. In 2018-2019, 213 PLWH currently using marijuana (mean age 48 years, 59% male, 69% African American) completed a questionnaire assessing their specific reasons for using marijuana, including the "main reason." Participants were categorized into one of three motivation groups: therapeutic, recreational, or both equally. For each specific reason, participants rated marijuana effectiveness as 0-10, with 10 being the most effective. The mean effectiveness scores were compared across the three motivation groups via ANOVA, with p <0.05 considered statistically significant. The most frequent main reasons for marijuana use in the therapeutic (n=63, 37%), recreational (n=48, 28%), and both equally (n=59, 35%) categories were "Pain" (21%), "To get high" (32%), and "To relax" (20%), respectively. Compared to recreational users, therapeutic and both equally users provided significantly higher mean effectiveness scores for "Pain," and "To reduce anger." The "Both equally" group also provided significantly higher mean effectiveness scores for "To feel better in general," "To get high," and "To relax" compared to the other two categories. There is a significant overlap in self-reported reasons for marijuana use in primarily therapeutic or recreational users. Perceived marijuana effectiveness was lowest among recreational users.

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Quality of life in people living with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder: A scoping review study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0251944 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. e0251944

Author(s):

Kate Alford ◽

Stephanie Daley ◽

Sube Banerjee ◽

Jaime H. Vera

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Cognitive Disorder ◽

World Health ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

Quality of life (QoL) is recognized as an essential end point in the disease management of chronic conditions such as HIV with calls to include good QoL as a ‘fourth 90’ in the 90-90-90 testing and treatment targets introduced by World Health Organization in 2016. Cognitive impairments impact a broad spectrum of experiences and are a common issue effecting people living with HIV (PLWH). Despite this, few studies have examined QoL in PLWH who also have a cognitive disorder. This study aimed to synthesize and describe what is known about QoL in those living with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to identify how QoL has been investigated and measured in PLWH with HAND, and how PLWH with HAND report and describe their QoL. We searched PsychInfo, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science along with hand-searching reference lists from relevant studies found. Included studies were those published in English after 1st January 2003 which included PLWH with cognitive impairment not due to other pre-existing conditions. Fifteen articles met criteria for inclusion. Two studies measured QoL as a primary aim, with others including QoL assessment as part of a broader battery of outcomes. The MOS-HIV and SF-36 were the most commonly used measures of overall QoL, with findings generally suggestive of poorer overall QoL in PLWH with HAND, compared to PLWH without cognitive impairment. Studies which examined dimensions of QoL focused exclusively on functionality, level of independence, and psychological QoL domains. There is a considerable dearth of research examining QoL in PLWH with HAND. The initiatives which advocate for healthy aging and improved QoL in PLWH must be extended to include and understand the experiences those also living with cognitive impairment. Research is needed to understand the broad experiential impacts of living with these two complex, chronic conditions, to ensure interventions are meaningful to patients and potential benefits are not missed.

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Childhood tuberculosis: Characteristics and peculiarities

Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics ◽

10.4314/njp.v47i3.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 190-200

Author(s):

M.G. Mustapha ◽

G.M. Ashir ◽

A.I. Rabasa ◽

A.G. Farouk ◽

H.A. Elechi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Program ◽

Preventive Therapy ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Childhood Tb ◽

Adults And Children ◽

Living With Hiv

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important infectious disease of public health concern. The effects of TB on children in terms of morbidity and mortality is more than that of adults. These may not be unconnected with the differences in characteristics and peculiarities of the disease in children. Tuberculosis in children is usually primary, paucibacillary, characterized by difficulties in diagnosis of both drug susceptible and resistant TB associated with poor uptake of preventive therapy for those with latent infection, contacts and people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in most developing countries.While significant similarities exist between spectrum of TB occurring in adults and children, the characteristics and peculiarities of childhood TB may be unknown to policy makers and some clinicians, hence giving it less focus in control measures. The aim of this review is to highlight some of the characteristics and peculiarities of TB in children using PubMed/PubMed Central (PMC) and MEDLINE databases searched for relevant search strings from December, 2018 to September, 2019. Appropriate hard copies of books and journal articles were also included. Conclusion: While the management of TB in children is characterized by difficulties due to both peculiarities of children and the disease; with detailed clinical assessment and examination of necessary specimen in addition to strict adherence to the guidelines of the national TB control program, more cases of TB in children can be prevented, diagnosed, treated and reported.

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Transfer of primary care patients receiving chronic care: the next step in the continuum of care

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihz014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 432-439

Author(s):

Jasantha Odayar ◽

Landon Myer

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Diabetes Patient ◽

Patient Transfer ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Middle Income ◽

Continuous Care ◽

Minimal Data ◽

Poor Outcomes ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract The burden of chronic conditions is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Chronic conditions require long-term and continuous care, including for patients transferring between facilities. Patient transfer is particularly important in the context of health service decentralization, which has led to increasing numbers of primary care facilities at which patients can access care, and high levels of migration, which suggest that patients might require care at multiple facilities. This article provides a critical review of existing evidence regarding transfer of stable patients receiving primary care for chronic conditions. Patient transfer has received limited consideration in people living with HIV, with growing concern that patients who transfer are at risk of poor outcomes; this appears similar for people with TB, although studies are few. There are minimal data on transfer of patients with non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. Patient transfer for chronic conditions has thus received surprisingly little attention from researchers; considering the potential risks, more research is urgently required regarding reasons for and outcomes of transfers, transfer processes and interventions to optimize transfers, for different chronic conditions. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of health systems to facilitate successful transfers, and this issue requires increased attention from researchers and policy-makers.

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1318. Examining Multimorbidity as a Moderating Effect on the Relationship Between Substance Use and Viral Suppression Among People Living with HIV

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.1181 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S476-S476

Author(s):

Timothy N Crawford ◽

Alice Thornton

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Viral Load ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Viral Suppression ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Substance Users ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Substance use and multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) are highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, their impact on achieving viral suppression are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between substance use and viral suppression and the potential moderating effect of multimorbidity. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic Ryan White Funded clinic in central Kentucky. Individuals were included if they were diagnosed with HIV, seeking care between 2010 and 2014, had at least one year of follow-up, and did not have a chronic condition at the time they entered care. The primary independent variable was substance use which included alcohol, nicotine use, and/or illicit drug use; the moderating variable was multimorbidity (0, 1, ≥2 chronic conditions); and outcome was viral suppression (≤50 copies/mL). A logistic regression model was developed to examine the interaction between substance use and multimorbidity on achieving viral load suppression. The model controlled for medication adherence, insurance status, age, and CD4+ cell counts. Results A total of 941 individuals were included in the study, with an average age of 43.9 ± 11.7 years. Approximately 67.0% reported substance use; 54% had ≥2 chronic conditions diagnosed. The three most prevalent conditions diagnosed were hypertension (34.6%), mental health (33.9%), and diabetes (21.5%) Approximately 61.0% of substance users had ≥2 conditions. Those with viral suppression were less likely to be substance users, but were more likely to have ≥2 conditions compared with their counterparts. There was a significant interaction between substance use and multimorbidity (P = 0.037). Stratified by multimorbidity, substance use was associated with unsuppressed viral loads; among those with ≥2 chronic conditions substance users had lower odds of achieving viral suppression compared with nonusers (OR=0.24; 95% CI=0.10–0.55). Conclusion Substance use may impede the opportunity for PLWH to achieve viral suppression, increasing their risk of transmission and progression of disease. More research is needed to understand the role substance use plays in impacting viral load, specifically among those with multiple chronic conditions. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Palliative Care, Hospice, and Advance Care Planning: Views of People Living with HIV and Other Chronic Conditions

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care ◽

10.1016/j.jana.2016.02.003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 476-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jacquelyn Slomka ◽

Maryjo Prince-Paul ◽

Allison Webel ◽

Barbara J. Daly

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Advance Care Planning ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Care Planning ◽

Advance Care ◽

Living With Hiv

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Failing to Plan Is Planning to Fail: Utilization of Advance Care Directives in Older Adults Living With HIV

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.845 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 221-221

Author(s):

Annie Nguyen ◽

Anna Egbert ◽

Mark Brennan-Ing ◽

Stephen Karpiak ◽

Paul Nash

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Significant Relationships ◽

Sexuality And Gender ◽

The Us ◽

Advance Care Directives ◽

Advance Care ◽

And Gender ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

Abstract Advance Care Planning (ACP) makes up an integral part of the care continuum, especially for those living with chronic conditions such as HIV. Little research exists to understand how intersections of race, gender, sexuality and gender identity combine to influence the choices made by older adults living with HIV regarding ACP. The Research on Older Adults with HIV (ROAH) 2 study collected data from across the US and investigated the incidence and range of ACP amongst those 50+ living with HIV. Correlational analysis indicated that being White was significantly related to having at least one directive (R=0.070, p=0.035) where being African American correlated negatively with several forms of ACP. Additionally, there were also significant relationships between being Transgender, being gay, and being a woman as to the engagement with ACP options. Further analysis explored the impact of finance, self-rated health and social support networks.

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Determinants of adherence to antiretroviral drugs among people living with HIV/AIDS in the Ife-Ijesa zone of Osun state, Nigeria

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v1i1.6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Muhammed O. Afolabi ◽

Kayode T. Ijadunola ◽

Adesegun O. Fatusi ◽

Olayinka A. Olasode

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Drugs ◽

University Teaching ◽

Adherence Rate ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Good Adherence ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Adherence Counselling ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: The advent of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs has transformed HIV/AIDS into a chronic manageable disease and strict adherence is required for the medication to be effective. However, factors influencing adherence to ARV therapy (ART) vary from country to country.Method: 120 subjects who received ARV drugs at a federal government-designated ART site located within the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex, (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, and a community-based non-governmental organisation, Living Hope Care (LIHOC), Ilesa, from February to May 2006 were serially recruited and studied. Relevant data were collected using an interviewer-administered, patient medication adherence questionnaire. Focus group discussions were also held among the subjects to further elicit qualitative information on factors influencing adherence to ART.Results: The age of participants ranged from 21 to 65 years with a mean age of 40.2 + 10.3 years. Participants had been on ARV drugs for a period ranging between three and 60 months. The overall adherence rate in the study population was 44%. 66% of participants who accessed ARV drugs from LIHOC, Ilesa, had good adherence while only 14% of participants who accessed ARV drugs from OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, had good adherence. Participants with good adherence did not pay funds for the preliminary ARV eligibility investigations and they were also offered regular adherence counselling. These facilities were barely available in the group with poor adherence. Demographic factors such as age, gender and marital status did not seem to have any significant association with adherence level (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The level of adherence was high in a cohort of PLWHA accessing ARV drugs in Ilesa while it was low among PLWHA receiving ART in Ife. The most important reasons for this difference were lack of funds for investigations and poor psycho-social counselling.

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