Current Issues in Cigarette Smoking Among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS: A Growing Public Health Problem Surrounded by Missing Information and Misconceptions

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. More than 2 billion people are infected with TB bacilli worldwide. It is a leading public health problem particularly in the developing countries. The HIV epidemic has increased the global tuberculosis burden. TB is the commonest opportunistic infection and leading cause of mortality of People living with HIV (PLHA). Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in Nepal. The objective of the study is to determine prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among HIV positives attending HIV clinics in Eastern Nepal, and to assess the socio-demographic factors associated with TB and HIV/AIDS. Methodology: Cross-sectional prospective study was carried out among HIV positive attending different VCT and HIV clinics from Sunsari Morang and Jhapa district of Eastern Nepal. Face to face interview was performed and sputum sample were collected using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected from PLHA on related information on Socio-demographic profi le, risk taking behavior with the help of pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Univariate and bivariate analysis were performed using SPSS 15.0. Chi-squire test was performed to establish statistical signifi cance between dependent and independent variables. Results: Out of total 242 PLHA, 75.2% were males and 24.8% females; around half of them (48.8%) were in the age group of (30-39) yrs, 23% in (25-29) yrs, and 15.7% in (20-24) years. Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be 27.3% (n=66). PTB was high among IDU’s (48.6%), followed by clients of CSWs (21%), housewife (13.6%), highway truck drivers (10.6%) and CSWs (6%). Conclusion: Prevalence of PTB is very high among PLHA attending VCT & HIV clinics of Eastern Nepal. This study reveals that PTB is signifi cantly associated with increasing age, risk taking behavior and place of residence. There is urgent need of active case fi nding as well as periodic screening among people living with HIV/AIDS of this region to address HIV-associated TB morbidity and mortality. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/saarctb.v8i1.5885 SAARCTB 2011; 8(1): 1-8

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The Burden of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Due to HIV/AIDS in Cameroon

The Open AIDS Journal ◽

10.2174/1874613601206010245 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 245-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Dickson S Nsagha ◽

Anne-Cécile ZK Bissek ◽

Sarah M Nsagha ◽

Jules-Clement N Assob ◽

Henri-Lucien F Kamga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Integrated Care ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Vulnerable Children ◽

Orphans And Vulnerable Children ◽

Aids Orphans ◽

Hiv Aids

HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Cameroon and Africa, and the challenges of orphans and vulnerable children are a threat to child survival, growth and development. The HIV prevalence in Cameroon was estimated at 5.1% in 2010. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of orphans and vulnerable children due to HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. A structured search to identify publications on orphans and other children made vulnerable by AIDS was carried out. A traditional literature search on google, PubMed and Medline using the keywords: orphans, vulnerable children, HIV/AIDS and Cameroon was conducted to identify potential AIDS orphans publications, we included papers on HIV prevalence in Cameroon, institutional versus integrated care of orphans, burden of children orphaned by AIDS and projections, impact of AIDS orphans on Cameroon, AIDS orphans assisted through the integrated care approach, and comparism of the policies of orphans care in the central African sub-region. We also used our participatory approach working experience with traditional rulers, administrative authorities and health stakeholders in Yaounde I and Yaounde VI Councils, Nanga Eboko Health District, Isangelle and Ekondo Titi Health Areas, Bafaka-Balue, PLAN Cameroon, the Pan African Institute for Development-West Africa, Save the orphans Foundation, Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Health. Results show that only 9% of all OVC in Cameroon are given any form of support. AIDS death continue to rise in Cameroon. In 1995, 7,900 people died from AIDS in the country; and the annual number rose to 25,000 in 2000. Out of 1,200,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Cameroon in 2010, 300,000(25%) were AIDS orphans. Orphans and the number of children orphaned by AIDS has increased dramatically from 13,000 in 1995 to 304,000 in 2010. By 2020, this number is projected to rise to 350,000. These deaths profoundly affect families, which often are split up and left without any means of support. Similarly, the death of many people in their prime working years hamper the economy. Businesses are adversely affected due to the need to recruit and train new staff. Health and social service systems suffer from the loss of health workers, teachers, and other skilled workers. OVC due to HIV/AIDS are a major public health problem in Cameroon as the HIV prevalence continues its relentless increase with 141 new infections per day. In partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and other development organizations, the Ministry of Public Health has been striving hard to provide for the educational and medical needs of the OVC, vocational training for the out-of- school OVC and income generating activities for foster families and families headed by children. A continous multi-sectorial approach headed by the government to solve the problem of OVC due to AIDS is very important. In line with the foregoing, recommendations are proposed for the way forward.

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Cigarette smoking among a sample of urban, current and former substance-using, persons living with HIV/AIDS

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.469 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 140 ◽

pp. e167 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lauren R. Pacek ◽

Carl Latkin ◽

A.R. Knowlton

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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Immediate reactions of newly-diagnosed HIV-positive persons to the initial news of being HIV-positive: Implications for public health

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39453/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adobea Yaa Owusu

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Significant Others ◽

Safety Net ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Positive Diagnosis ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Ready acceptance of the first news of HIV-positive diagnosis is a known personal and public health safety-net. Its beneficial effects include prompt commencement and sustenance of HIV-positive treatment and care, better management of transmission risk, and disclosure of the HIV-positive status to significant others. Yet, no known study has explored this topic in Ghana; despite Ghana’s generalised HIV/AIDS infection rate. Existing studies have illuminated the effects of such reactions on affected significant others; not the infected.Methods: This paper studied qualitatively the initial reactions of 26 persons living with HIV/AIDS upon receiving the initial news of their diagnosis. Sample selection was combined purposive and random, from two hospitals in a district in Ghana heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The paper applied the theory of hopelessness.Results: As expected, the vast majority of respondents reacted to the initial announcement of their HIV-positive infection with a myriad of negative psychosocial reactions, including thoughts of committing suicide. A few, however, received the news with resignation. For the vast majority of respondents, having comorbidities from AIDS prior to the diagnosis primarily shaped their initial reactions to it. This was followed by having/having had an HIV-positive spouse/partner, and exposure to health education on HIV/AIDS on TV particularly. Receiving counselling from healthcare workers mostly facilitated their transitioning to self-acceptance of their HIV-positive status.Conclusions: Although the first news of an HIV-positive diagnosis was immobilising to most respondents, the trauma faded, paving the way for beneficial public health actions. The findings do not wholly support earlier propositions of the theory of hopelessness. Rather, results indicate that both internal and external insecurities can trigger hopelessness in persons living with HIV/AIDS. The results imply the critical need for continuous education on HIV/AIDS by public health advocates, using mass media, particularly, TV. This should continuously emphasise the need for voluntary counseling and testing and the fact that once infected, prevention of further transmission, and immediate seeking and adhering to healthcare are important. These can prevent comorbidities and death from HIV infection. Healthcare workers in VCTs should empathise with persons who are informed of their HIV-positive status for the first time.

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Cigarette Smoking Behaviors and Beliefs in Persons Living With HIV/AIDS

American Journal of Health Behavior ◽

10.5993/ajhb.36.1.8 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 75-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Jonathan Shuter ◽

Steven L. Bernstein ◽

Alyson B. Moadel

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Smoking Behaviors ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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Summary Report on the Sixth International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889.0303.46 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 46-50

Author(s):

Alice H. Suter

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

International Congress ◽

Summary Report ◽

Sixth International

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Kindesmisshandlung und deren Langzeitfolgen – Analyse einer repräsentativen deutschen Stichprobe

Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie Psychologie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1661-4747/a000378 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 100-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andreas Witt ◽

Rebecca Brown ◽

Paul L. Plener ◽

Elmar Brähler ◽

Jörg M. Fegert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Nachhaltige Entwicklung

Zusammenfassung. Kindesmisshandlung stellt einen bedeutenden Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung dar. Einzelne Formen von Kindesmisshandlung treten häufig nicht isoliert auf, sondern das gemeinsame Auftreten verschiedener Formen von Kindesmisshandlung stellt eher die Regel als die Ausnahme dar. Neben den langfristigen und vielfältigen individuellen Folgen führt Kindesmisshandlung jährlich zu einer hohen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Belastung. Die WHO hat Kindesmisshandlung als großes Public Health Problem identifiziert und die Vereinten Nationen haben den Kampf gegen Kindesmisshandlung zum Ziel in ihrer Agenda für nachhaltige Entwicklung gemacht. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Häufigkeit sowie das gemeinsame Auftreten unterschiedlicher Formen von Kindesmisshandlung sowie deren Assoziation mit psychischen und somatischen Folgen auf Basis einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Stichprobe untersucht und dargestellt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen den Zusammenhang zwischen der Kumulation verschiedener Formen von Misshandlung und negativen Folgen für die Betroffenen. So ist das Risiko für negative Konsequenzen beim Erleben von vier oder mehr Formen von Misshandlung um das bis zu 10-fache erhöht. Viel zu selten werden die kumulativen Effekte von mehreren Belastungen berücksichtigt. Gerade weil die Wirkweisen über die Misshandlung, die Gesundheit beeinflusst, zunehmend gut untersucht sind, muss dieses Wissen im Gesundheitswesen stärker bei der Konzeption von Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen berücksichtigt werden.

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