scholarly journals Exploring the Patterns of Use and Acceptability of Mobile Phones Among People Living With HIV to Improve Care and Treatment: Cross-Sectional Study in Three Francophone West African Countries

10.2196/13741 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e13741
Author(s):  
Phillipe Lepère ◽  
Yélamikan Touré ◽  
Alexandra M Bitty-Anderson ◽  
Simon P Boni ◽  
Gildas Anago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
West African ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background The use of mobile technology in health care (mobile health [mHealth]) could be an innovative way to improve health care, especially for increasing retention in HIV care and adherence to treatment. However, there is a scarcity of studies on mHealth among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in West and Central Africa. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of an mHealth intervention among PLHIV in three countries of West Africa. Methods A cross-sectional study among PLHIV was conducted in 2017 in three francophone West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. PLHIV followed in the six preselected HIV treatment and care centers, completed a standardized questionnaire on mobile phone possession, acceptability of mobile phone for HIV care and treatment, preference of mobile phone services, and phone sharing. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe variables and assess factors associated with mHealth acceptability. Results A total of 1131 PLHIV—643 from Côte d’Ivoire, 239 from Togo, and 249 from Burkina Faso—participated in the study. Median age was 44 years, and 76.1% were women (n=861). Almost all participants owned a mobile phone (n=1107, 97.9%), and 12.6% (n=140) shared phones with a third party. Acceptability of mHealth was 98.8%, with the majority indicating their preference for both phone calls and text messages. Factors associated with mHealth acceptability were having a primary school education or no education (adjusted odds ratio=7.15, 95% CI 5.05-10.12; P<.001) and waiting over one hour before meeting a medical doctor on appointment day (adjusted odds ratio=1.84, 95% CI 1.30-2.62; P=.01). Conclusions The use of mHealth in HIV treatment and care is highly acceptable among PLHIV and should be considered a viable tool to allow West and Central African countries to achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 goals.

scholarly journals Exploring the Patterns of Use and Acceptability of Mobile Phones Among People Living With HIV to Improve Care and Treatment: Cross-Sectional Study in Three Francophone West African Countries (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillipe Lepère ◽  
Yélamikan Touré ◽  
Alexandra M Bitty-Anderson ◽  
Simon P Boni ◽  
Gildas Anago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
West African ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND The use of mobile technology in health care (mobile health [mHealth]) could be an innovative way to improve health care, especially for increasing retention in HIV care and adherence to treatment. However, there is a scarcity of studies on mHealth among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in West and Central Africa. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of an mHealth intervention among PLHIV in three countries of West Africa. METHODS A cross-sectional study among PLHIV was conducted in 2017 in three francophone West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. PLHIV followed in the six preselected HIV treatment and care centers, completed a standardized questionnaire on mobile phone possession, acceptability of mobile phone for HIV care and treatment, preference of mobile phone services, and phone sharing. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe variables and assess factors associated with mHealth acceptability. RESULTS A total of 1131 PLHIV—643 from Côte d’Ivoire, 239 from Togo, and 249 from Burkina Faso—participated in the study. Median age was 44 years, and 76.1% were women (n=861). Almost all participants owned a mobile phone (n=1107, 97.9%), and 12.6% (n=140) shared phones with a third party. Acceptability of mHealth was 98.8%, with the majority indicating their preference for both phone calls and text messages. Factors associated with mHealth acceptability were having a primary school education or no education (adjusted odds ratio=7.15, 95% CI 5.05-10.12; <italic>P</italic>&lt;.001) and waiting over one hour before meeting a medical doctor on appointment day (adjusted odds ratio=1.84, 95% CI 1.30-2.62; <italic>P</italic>=.01). CONCLUSIONS The use of mHealth in HIV treatment and care is highly acceptable among PLHIV and should be considered a viable tool to allow West and Central African countries to achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 goals.

scholarly journals Experience of fatigue and associated factors among adult people living with HIV attending ART clinic: a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e042029
Author(s):  
Moges Baye ◽  
Berihu Fisseha ◽  
Mulugeta Bayisa ◽  
Solomon Mekonnen Abebe ◽  
Balamurugan Janakiraman
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Gondar Town ◽  
Living With Hiv

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of fatigue and the factors associated among adult people living with HIV attending antiretroviral therapy clinic in Gondar town, Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional.SettingGovernmental health facility that provides HIV care in Gondar town.Outcome measureFatigue is defined by nine items version Fatigue Severity Scale.ParticipantsAdult (aged 18 and above) people living with HIV in Gondar town (n=392).ResultA total of 408 HIV seropositive adults were approached for consent, among which 392 participants consented to participate in this study, with a response rate of 96.1%. The mean age of the participants was 40.5±8.5 years. The prevalence of HIV-related fatigue was 53.3% and about 66% of women living with HIV experienced fatigue. The factors associated with fatigue experience were; female gender (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.61, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.3), being married (AOR: 0.18, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.9), low income (AOR: 7.1, 95% CI 4.6 to 22.15), unemployed (AOR: 2.79, 95% CI 1.19 to 9.84), parity (AOR: 4.87, 95% CI 2.18 to 17.9), being anaemic (AOR: 12.45, 95% CI 5.6 to 41.01), depression (AOR: 4.51, 95% CI 1.91 to 11.20), mild weight loss (AOR: 4.2 95% CI 2.56 to 13.9) and moderate weight loss (AOR: 5.1, 95% CI 1.85 to 16.12), respectively.ConclusionThe findings of this study revealed that experiencing fatigue is quite common among adult people living with HIV. It is important for the healthcare professionals and people living with HIV to understand; the possible causes of fatigue, remedies and ways to reclaim energy. The predisposing factors and complications that cause fatigue should be aggressively diagnosed and treated by the clinicians. Further qualitative studies exploring the reasons for experiencing HIV-related fatigue might help designing interventions.

scholarly journals 727. Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Partners in Seroconcordant Couples Living with HIV in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S462-S463
Author(s):  
Daniel Sack ◽  
Ariano Matino ◽  
Graves Erin ◽  
Almiro Emilio ◽  
Bryan Shepherd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Relationship Status ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Seroconcordant Couples

Abstract Background Depression contributes to HIV treatment outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately 15% of people living with HIV have comorbid depression. HoPS+, a cluster randomized trial among seroconcordant couples living with HIV, assesses male partner involvement during antenatal HIV care and HIV outcomes. We describe predictors of depressive symptoms among pregnant partners living with HIV in Zambézia Province, Mozambique. Methods This baseline cross-sectional analysis includes 1079 female HoPS+ participants. We show demographic (age, enrollment date, relationship status, education, and occupation) and clinical (WHO HIV stage, body mass index [BMI], and antiretroviral therapy [ART] use history) factors. We model females’ depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) using proportional odds models with continuous covariates as restricted cubic splines (enrollment date, age, BMI, partner’s PHQ-9 score), categorical covariates (district, relationship status, education, occupation, WHO stage), and ART use history. Missing covariates were imputed 20 times. Results Participants’ median age was 23 (interquartile range [IQR] 20-28). Most women reported no or &lt; 7 years of education (84.1%), were farmers (61.3%), and were WHO stage I (81.9%). They had a median PHQ-9 score of 3 (IQR 0-5) and 47 (43.6%) had moderately severe or severe depressive symptoms, with 19.6% missing PHQ-9 scores. Among 867 pregnant partners with PHQ-9s, demographic and clinical covariates were not meaningful predictors of PHQ-9 score. Male partner’s PHQ-9 score, however, was associated with (covariate-adjusted Spearman’s rho 0.58, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.51-0.65) and strongly predictive of a pregnant partner’s score (Figure). An increase in a male partner’s PHQ-9 score from 9 to 10 was associated with 1.47 times increased odds (95% CI: 1.37-1.58) of a ≥1-point increase in a woman’s PHQ-9 score Figure: Female Partner's Depressive Symptoms Conclusion Depressive symptoms are highly correlated among pregnant people and their partners, which may have implications for pregnancy care. Interventions aimed to reduce depressive symptoms and improve HIV-related outcomes during pregnancy may have greater success when focused on addressing both partners’ depressive symptoms. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV among nurses in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, China: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yin ◽  
Angela Chia-Chen Chen ◽  
Shaoping Wan ◽  
Hong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. However, only limited research about HIV-related stigma toward PLWH from the perspective of nurses in Liangshan has been conducted. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses and determine factors associated with it in Liangshan, China. Methods Using a stratified, random cluster sampling method, registered nurses (N=1,248; primary hospitals=102, secondary hospitals=592, tertiary hospitals=554) were recruited 10 hospitals in Liangshan. All participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma and HIV knowledge. We used multiple stepwise regression analysis to examine factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among these nurses. Results The mean score of HIV-related stigma among nurses was 50.7 (SD = 8.3; range 25-78). Nurses who were more experienced, had higher levels of education, and were working in tertiary hospitals reported higher level of HIV-related stigma. Those who had better HIV knowledge, reported a willingness to receive HIV-related training, were working in areas that had a high prevalence of HIV, had prior experience working in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) specialized hospitals, and worked in hospitals that had policies to protect PLWH showed a lower level of HIV-related stigma toward PLWH. Conclusions Findings suggested that providing culturally congruent education and training about HIV and care, and having hospitals that promoted policies protecting PLWH, may reduce HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses in China.

scholarly journals Stigmatization among People Living with HIV/AIDS at the Kumba Health District, Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 232595821989930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Obinchemti Egbe ◽  
Cynthia Adanze Nge ◽  
Hermann Ngouekam ◽  
Etienne Asonganyi ◽  
Dickson Shey Nsagha
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Health District ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

We determined the level, type of stigma, and risk factors associated with stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by conducting a cross-sectional study from April to June 2018 in 3 HIV treatment centers in the Kumba Health District (KHD), Cameroon. We reviewed hospital registers, conducted focus group discussions, and administered structured questionnaires. For data analysis, we used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. We recorded a total stigma index score of 59.1. Internal stigma (odds ratio [OR] 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-4.98) was common in PLWHA. Also, younger age <30 years (adjusted OR [AOR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.94) was linked with stigma reduction while low level of education (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02-2.97) increased the stigma level. HIV-related stigma is pervasive in the lives of PLWHA, with most of them having internal stigmatization. Appropriate health education on HIV will be crucial in reducing stigmatization in the KHD.

scholarly journals Experience of and factors associated with violence against sexual and gender minorities in nine African countries: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Müller ◽  
◽  
Kristen Daskilewicz ◽  
Mc Lean Kabwe ◽  
Anna Mmolai-Chalmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Gender Minorities ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Objective The objective of this research was to assess physical and sexual violence experienced by sexual and gender minorities in nine African countries, and to examine factors associated with violence. Methods We conducted an exploratory multi-country cross-sectional study among self-identifying sexual and gender minorities, using a survey tool available in paper and online. Participants were sampled through venue-based and web-based convenience sampling. We analysed data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, with Stata15. Findings Of 3798 participants, 23% were gender minorities, 20% were living with HIV, and 18% had been coerced into marriage. Fifty-six per cent of all participants had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and 29% in the past year. Gender minorities had experienced significantly higher levels of violence compared to cisgender (sexual minority) participants. The variable most strongly associated with having experienced violence was being coerced into marriage (AOR, 3.02), followed by people living nearby knowing about one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity (AOR, 1.90) and living with HIV (AOR, 1.47). Conclusion Sexual and gender minorities in Eastern and Southern Africa experience high levels of violence. Sexual orientation and gender identity need to be recognised as risk factors for violence in national and regional law and policy frameworks. States should follow the African Commission Resolution 275 and provide protection against violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

scholarly journals Measuring the uptake of continuous care among people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy and social determinants of the uptake of continuous care in the southwest of China: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongmei Jin ◽  
Sawitri Assanangkornchai ◽  
Meiqin Fang ◽  
Wei Guan ◽  
Bo Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Insurance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Continuous Care ◽  
Hiv Acquisition ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Continuous care is essential for people living with HIV. This study aimed to measure continuous care uptake and investigate the association between higher uptake of continuous care and behavioral and social factors, including HIV-acquisition risk and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2019 in an HIV treatment center of a specialized hospital in Kunming city, China. Fourteen service indicators were used to calculate composite care scores, which were classified into three levels (low, middle, and high), using principal component analysis. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was employed to examine predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with composite care scores among people living with HIV. Results A total of 702 participants living with HIV aged ≥ 18 years (median age: 41.0 years, 69.4% male) who had been on ART for 1–5 years were recruited. Based on ordinal logistic regression modeling, predisposing factors: being employed (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–2.11), heterosexuals (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.25) and men who have sex with men (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.39–3.02) and enabling factors: Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.03–3.54), middle socioeconomic status (SES) (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01–2.01), were positively associated with the higher level of continuous care uptake, compared to the unemployed, people who inject drugs, those with no medical insurance and low SES, respectively. Conclusion There were large differences in continuous care uptake among people living with HIV. HIV-acquisition risk categories and socioeconomic factors were significant determinants of uptake of continuous care. Our findings could inform the development of evidence-based strategies that promote equitable healthcare for all people living with HIV.

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