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HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 10203

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sizulu Moyo

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Guest Editor

Human and Social Capabilities, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Interests: HIV; TB; SARS‑CoV‑2; epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite tremendous progress in HIV testing, treatment, and efforts to address HIV stigma, HIV remains a major public health concern. UNAIDS data show that in 2020, 84% of people living with HIV knew their HIV status, 87% of people living with HIV who knew their HIV status were on antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of those on treatment were virally suppressed. However, progress remains uneven across the world, with eastern and southern Africa most affected by HIV. In addition, gaps in the testing and treatment cascade are larger for some subpopulations, including children, young people, and men. Furthermore, key populations remain at disproportionately greater risk of HIV. The SARS-COV-2 pandemic diverted and shifted attention and resources from HIV programs, reversing some of the prior gains and highlighting stark inequalities in access to HIV care. There is now a renewed focus on addressing HIV alongside the SARS-COV-2 pandemic to recover gains and sustain progress toward the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets. This Special Issue invites papers that examine HIV prevalence and related factors at individual, community, societal, and health system level, including coexisting infections and conditions, with a focus on lessons for the present and the future. We also encourage topics that focus on disparities and marginalized population groups.

Dr. Sizulu Moyo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

prevalence
epidemiology
sexual behavior
health
access
antiretroviral therapy
viral suppression
viral load
co-infection

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“I…Tell Her Not to Take Medicines”: Understanding Engagement in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Care Continuum through the Socio-Ecological Model

by Anjali Modi, Cristian Garcia-Alcaraz, Sangita Trivedi, J. K. Kosambiya and Kristen J. Wells

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013530 - 19 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2384

Abstract

With ten percent of the world’s children living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/ AIDS) in India, achieving elimination of parent/mother to-child transmission (EPTCT/EMTCT) is far away. Timely initiation and optimal adherence to the prevention of parent/mother to child transmission (PPTCT/PMTCT) may reduce new paediatric HIV infections to zero. This qualitative study applies the Socio-ecological Model (SEM) to understand country, region and context-specific factors influencing mothers’ engagement in the PMTCT care continuum. Maximum variation sampling and saturation tenets determined the sample size. An in-depth interview guide based on SEM “a priori” and emerging themes captured narratives of the parental dyad. The translated and transcribed audio records were coded by direct content analysis method, both manually and with Atlas Ti software. The coding reports were discussed for consensus and final analysis. Male partner, peers, community health workers (CHWs), hope for healthy baby, knowledge about HIV and preventive services, free anti-retroviral therapy, transportation and the early infant diagnosis (EID) tool influenced PMTCT care continuum. Testing and referral policies of the private sector facilitated internalized or self-stigma. Future interventions should seek to develop pregnant women’s support system by engaging male partners, peers, and CHWs. Strategies addressing private sector and community awareness about freely available HIV prevention and care programs may enable optimal PMTCT utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors)

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14 pages, 661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bone Mineral Content Estimation in People Living with HIV: Prediction and Validation of Sex-Specific Anthropometric Models

by Igor Massari Correia, Anderson Marliere Navarro, Jéssica Fernanda Corrêa Cordeiro, Euripedes Barsanulfo Gonçalves Gomide, Lisa Fernanda Mazzonetto, Alcivandro de Sousa Oliveira, Emerson Sebastião, Bruno Augusto Aguilar, Denise de Andrade, Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado and André Pereira dos Santos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12336; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912336 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1095

Abstract

People living with HIV (PWH) experience an accelerated reduction in bone mineral content (BMC), and a high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Anthropometry is an accurate and low-cost method that can be used to monitor changes in body composition in PWH. To date, no studies have used anthropometry to estimate BMC in PWH. To propose and validate sex-specific anthropometric models to predict BMC in PWH. This cross-sectional study enrolled 104 PWH (64 males) aged >18 years at a local university hospital. BMC was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Anthropometric measures were collected. We used linear regression analysis to generate the models. Cross-validations were conducted using the “leave one out”, from the predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) method. Bland–Altman plots were used to explore distributions of errors. We proposed models with high coefficient of determination and reduced standard error of estimate for males (r² = 0.70; SEE = 199.97 g; Q²_PRESS = 0.67; SEE_PRESS = 208.65 g) and females (r² = 0.65; SEE = 220.96 g; Q²_PRESS = 0.62; SEE_PRESS = 221.90 g). Our anthropometric predictive models for BMC are valid, practical, and a low-cost alternative to monitoring bone health in PWH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors)

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11 pages, 753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Factors and Sexual Risk Behaviors: A Multidimensional Model Based on the Chilean Population

by Rodrigo Ferrer-Urbina, Patricio Mena-Chamorro, Marcos Halty and Geraldy Sepúlveda-Páez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9293; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159293 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2102

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health problem, with sexual risk behaviors (SRB) being the main routes of spreading the virus. Evidence indicates that different psychological factors influence SRB (e.g., attitude towards condoms, sexual self-concept, sexual sensation seeking, knowledge of sexual risk behaviors, risk perception). This study proposes an explanatory model of sexual risk behaviors in young people and adults. The sample consisted of 992 young people and adults aged between 18 and 35 years. The model presented good levels of fit (X² = 3311.433, df = 1471, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.036), explaining 56% of the variance of sexual activity with multiple partners, 77% of the inadequate use of protective barriers, and 58.8% of sexual activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs from a set of psychological factors in self-report measures. The details of the results offer novel contextual evidence for the prioritization of prevention-oriented psychosocial interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors)

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16 pages, 1996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is There Risk Compensation among HIV Infected Youth and Adults 15 Years and Older on Antiretroviral Treatment in South Africa? Findings from the 2017 National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey

by Nompumelelo Zungu, Musawenkosi Mabaso, Shandir Ramlagan, Leickness Simbayi, Sizulu Moyo, Olive Shisana, Pelagia Murangandi, Ehimario Igumbor, Salome Sigida, Sean Jooste, Edmore Marinda, Kassahun Ayalew and Khangelani Zuma

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106156 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2050

Abstract

In this paper, risk compensation among individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), using the 2017 South African national survey on HIV, is explored. A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling approach was used to realize 11,130 participants 15 years and older. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association between multiple sexual partners, condom use at last sexual encounter, consistency of condom usage and potential explanatory variables using HIV status and ART exposure as a mediator variable. HIV positive participants who were aware and on ART were less likely to have multiple sexual partners, and less likely not to use a condom at last sex compared to HIV positive participants who were aware but not on ART. The odds of reporting multiple sexual partners were significantly lower among older age groups, females, non-Black Africans, and rural settings, and higher among those with tertiary level education, and risky alcohol users. The odds of no condom use at last sexual encounter were more likely among older age groups, females, other race groups, and less likely among those with secondary level education. The odds of inconsistent condom use were more likely among older age groups, females, and other race groups, and less likely among those with tertiary level education, high risk and hazardous alcohol users. Risk compensation is not apparent among HIV infected adults who are on ART. Risk groups that should receive tailored interventions to reduced risky sexual behaviours were identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors)

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Review

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23 pages, 1308 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Evolving HIV Epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: A Scoping Review

by Arvin Karbasi, Judy Fordjuoh, Mentalla Abbas, Chukwuemeka Iloegbu, John Patena, Deborah Adenikinju, Dorice Vieira, Joyce Gyamfi and Emmanuel Peprah

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053844 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1947

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is severely understudied despite the region’s increase in new HIV infections since 2010. A key population that is particularly affected, due to the lack of adequate knowledge and proper interventional implementation, includes people who inject drugs (PWID). Furthermore, the paucity of HIV data (prevalence and trends) worsens an already critical situation in this region. A scoping review was conducted to address the scarcity of information and to synthesize the available data on HIV prevalence rates within the key population of PWID throughout the MENA region. Information was sourced from major public health databases and world health reports. Of the 1864 articles screened, 40 studies discussed the various factors contributing to the under-reporting of HIV data in the MENA region among PWID. High and overlapping risk behaviors were cited as the most prevalent reason why HIV trends were incomprehensible and hard to characterize among PWID, followed by lack of service utilization, lack of intervention-based programs, cultural norms, lack of advanced HIV surveillance systems, and protracted humanitarian emergencies. Overall, the lack of reported information limits any adequate response to the growing and unknown HIV trends throughout the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors)

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