Search Results for: Sindrome da immunodeficienza umana - AIDS

At 8 months, outcomes with self-fit and audiologist-fit devices were similar.

Objective
To explore the experiences, current approaches, opinions and awareness of healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the audio-vestibular consequences.

Design/setting
Cross-sectional online survey study.

Participants
HCPs with experience of caring for adults with TBI, who were not ENT (ear nose throat) specialists or audiologists.

Methods
The study was conducted from May 2022 to December 2022. The online survey consisted of 16 closed and open-text questions in English and Turkish about clinical experience, current approaches and awareness of audio-vestibular consequences following TBI. Frequencies of responses to closed questions and associations between variables were analysed using SPSS V.28. Open-text responses were summarised in Microsoft Excel.

Results
Seventy HCPs participated from 17 professions and 14 countries, with the majority from the UK (42.9%). HCPs stated that ‘some’ to ‘all’ of their patients had auditory problems such as ‘inability to understand speech-in-noise’ (66%), ‘tinnitus’ (64%), ‘hyperacusis’ (57%) and balance problems such as ‘dizziness’ (79%) and ‘vertigo’ (67%). Usually, HCPs asked about the balance status of patients at appointments and when they observed dizziness and/or balance disorder they used screening tests, most commonly finger-to-nose (53%). For auditory impairments, HCPs preferred referring patients with TBI to audiology/ENT services. However, 6% of HCPs felt that audio-vestibular conditions could be ignored on referral because patients with TBI struggled with many impairments. Additionally, 44% would suggest hearing aids to patients with TBI with hearing loss ‘if they would like to use’ rather than ‘definitely’.

Conclusions
Many audio-vestibular impairments are observed by HCPs caring for patients with TBI. The assessment and intervention opinions and awareness of HCPs for these impairments vary. However, non-expert HCPs may not be aware of negative consequences of untreated audio-vestibular impairments following TBI. Therefore, developing a simple framework for screening and indications of audio-vestibular impairments for referral may be helpful for non-audiological specialists regularly seeing these patients.

Introduction
India’s contribution to the malaria burden was highest in South-East Asia Region in 2021, accounting for 79% of the estimated malaria cases and 83% of malaria-related deaths. Intensified Malaria Control Programme supported by Global Funds to Fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has deployed crucial interventions to reduce the overall burden of malaria in India. Evaluation of utilisation of malaria elimination interventions by the community and assessment of the healthcare system is underway in eleven high malaria endemic states in India. Health system preparedness for malaria elimination, logistics, and supply chain management of diagnostic kits and anti-malarial drugs in addition to the knowledge, attitude and practice of the healthcare workers is also being assessed.

Methods and analysis
The study is being undertaken in 11 malaria endemic states with a variable annual parasite incidence of malaria. In total, 47 districts (administrative unit of malaria control operations) covering 37 976 households are to be interviewed and assessed. We present here the protocol following which the study is being undertaken at the behest and approval of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India.

Ethics and dissemination
No patients were involved in the study. Study findings will be shared with Institutional ethics board of National Institute for Malaria Research New Delhi (NIMR) in a timely, comprehensive, accurate, unbiased, unambiguous and transparent manner and to the National Vector-borne Disease (Malaria) Control Programme officers and the Community public who participated. Important findings will be communicated through community outreach meetings which are existing in the Health system. Results will be informed to study participants via local fieldwork supervised by District Malaria Officers. Also findings will be published in reputed journals based on Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) publication policy.
The ICMR-NIMR ethics committee approved the study via letter No. NIMR/ECM/2023/Feb/14 dated 24 April 2023 for version 5. All standard ethical practices will be followed.

Objective
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are essential for standardising patient care based on evidence-based medicine. However, the presence of financial conflicts of interest (COIs) among CPG authors can undermine their credibility. This study aimed to examine the extent and size of COIs among authors of psychiatry CPGs in Japan.

Methods
This cross-sectional analysis of disclosed payments from pharmaceutical companies assesses the prevalence and magnitude of personal payments for lecturing, consulting and writing to CPGs for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder in Japan between 2016 and 2020.

Results
This study found that 93.3% of authors received payments over a 5-year period, with total payments exceeding US$4 million. The median payment per author was US$51 403 (IQR: US$9982–US$111 567), with a notable concentration of payments among a small number of authors, including the CPG chairperson. Despite these extensive financial relationships, only a fraction of authors disclosed their COIs in the CPGs. These large amounts of personal payments were made by pharmaceutical companies manufacturing new antidepressants and sleeping aids listed in the CPGs.

Conclusions
This study found that more than 93% of authors of CPGs for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder in Japan received considerable amounts of personal payments from the pharmaceutical industry. The findings highlight deviations from international COI management standards and suggest a need for more stringent COI policies for psychiatry CPGs in Japan.

Objectives
This study uses the diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory to comprehensively understand the adoption of shared decision-making (SDM) in clinical practice, specifically focusing on the ‘knowledge’ and ‘persuasion’ stages within DOI. We aim to understand the challenges and dynamics associated with SDM adoption, offering insights for more patient-centred decision-making in healthcare.

Design
This qualitative study employs a modified framework analysis approach, integrating ethnographic and interview data from prior research, along with additional interviews. The framework used is based on the DOI theory.

Study setting and participants
This study was conducted in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of a tertiary teaching hospital in the Eastern region of the Netherlands. It included interviews with 20 participants, including gynaecologists, obstetrics registrars and junior doctors currently practising in the department. Additionally, data from prior research conducted within the same department were incorporated, ensuring the maintenance of contextual consistency.

Results
Findings reveal a complex interplay between SDM’s benefits and challenges. Clinicians value SDM for upholding patient autonomy and enhancing medical practice, viewing it as valuable for medical decision-making. Decision aids are seen as advantageous in supporting treatment decisions. Challenges include compatibility issues between patient and clinician preferences, perceptions of SDM as time-consuming and difficult and limitations imposed by the rapid pace of healthcare and its swift decisions. Additionally, perceived complexity varies by situation, influenced by colleagues’ attitudes, with limited trialability and sparsely observed instances of SDM.

Conclusions
Clinicians’ decision to adopt or reject SDM is multifaceted, shaped by beliefs, cognitive processes and contextual challenges. Cognitive dissonance is critical as clinicians reconcile their existing practices with the adoption of SDM. Practical strategies such as practice assessments, open discussions about SDM’s utility and reflective practice through professional development initiatives empower clinicians to make the best informed decision to adopt or reject SDM.

Objectives
Women who inherit a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are at substantially higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer than average. Several cancer risk management strategies exist to address this increased risk. Decisions about which strategies to choose are complex, personal and multifactorial for these women. Decision aids (DAs) are tools that assist patients in making health-related decisions. The aim of this scoping review was to map evidence relating to the development and testing of patient DAs for cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers.

Design
Scoping review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI’s) scoping review methodological framework.

Data sources
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science. No restrictions applied for language or publication date. A manual search was also performed.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
Studies on DAs for cancer risk management designed for or applicable to women with a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who are unaffected by breast or ovarian cancer.

Data extraction and synthesis
Data were extracted using a form based on the JBI instrument for extracting details of studies’ characteristics and results. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Extracted data were tabulated.

Results
32 evidence sources relating to development or testing of 21 DAs were included. Four DAs were developed exclusively for cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers. Of these, two covered all guideline recommended risk management strategies for this population though only one of these was readily available publicly in its full version. All studies investigating DA effectiveness reported a positive effect of the DA under investigation on at least one of the outcomes evaluated, however only six DAs were tested in randomised controlled trials.

Conclusion
This scoping review has mapped the landscape of the literature relating to developing and testing, DAs applicable to cancer unaffected BRCA mutation carriers.

Objectives
This study aimed to analyse the current status, trends and risk factors of disease burden from 1990 to 2019 among Chinese children.

Design and participants
It was a retrospective study on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Data of disease burden and risk factors were extracted from the GBD 2019. Children were divided into two groups of

Objective
To analyse the HIV-1 subtypes and molecular transmission characteristics of HIV-infected older individuals aged 50 and above in Huzhou City, and provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment strategies for them.

Design
A cross-sectional study with clustered molecular transmission network cases was performed, and basic epidemiological information was retrieved from the Chinese Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Information System.

Setting and participants
A molecular epidemiological study was conducted in 899 newly diagnosed HIV-infected individuals from January 2019 and March 2023 in Huzhou city, Zhejiang province, Eastern China. Out of these, HIV sequences were successfully obtained from 673 individuals, including 274 who were older individuals aged 50 and above.

Primary and secondary outcomes
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR were used to amplify the polymerase gene of HIV-1, and gene sequencing was performed. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to describe the association of clustered molecular transmission network cases.

Results
In total, 274 valid HIV sequences of older individuals were obtained, which revealed 14 subtypes. Circulating recombinant forms (CRF) 07_BC accounted for 55.8% and CRF01_AE accounted for 20.1% of the subtypes. Data of 150 older individuals were included in the molecular transmission network, and the proportion of elderly individuals in clustered cases is 52.26% (150/287). The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the older age group (60–82 years) and CRF07_BC subtype were associated with case clustering (transmission risk).

Conclusions
The key high-risk transmission network was mainly composed of the older age group (60–82 years) and CRF07_BC subtype. It is necessary to further strengthen AIDS health promotion and education for individuals aged 60 years and above, as well as for patients with the CRF07_BC subtype, to reduce HIV transmission and clustering risk.

Comunicato del 26/05/2024 n°25

Objectives
Falling and living alone have been identified as public health challenges in an ageing society. Our study investigates whether living alone influences fall risk in community-dwelling older adults in Switzerland.

Design and methods
Secondary analysis of three randomised controlled trials investigating how different doses of vitamin D and an exercise programme may influence the risk of further falls in people 60+ at risk of falling. We used logistic regression to examine the association between living alone and the odds of becoming a faller, and negative binomial regression to examine the association between living alone and the rate of falls. We assessed both any falls and falls with injury. All analyses were adjusted for sex, body mass index, age, grip strength, comorbidities, use of walking aids, mental health, trial and treatment group. Predefined subgroups were by sex and age.

Results
Among 494 participants (63% women; mean age was 74.7±7.5 years) 643 falls were recorded over 936.5 person-years, including 402 injurious falls. Living alone was associated with a 1.76-fold higher odds of becoming a faller (OR (95% CI)=1.76 (1.11 to 2.79)). While the odds did not differ by sex, older age above the median age of 74.6 years increased the odds to 2.19-fold (OR (95% CI)=2.19 (1.11 to 4.32)). The rate of total or injurious falls did not differ by living status.

Conclusions
Community-dwelling older adults living alone have a higher odds of becoming a faller. The increased odds is similar for men and women but accentuated with higher age.

Trial registration numbers
ZDPT: NCT01017354, NFP53: NCT00133640, OA: NCT00599807.

Background
Substance use disorders and HIV infection have a bidirectional relationship. People who use illicit drugs are at increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, and people living with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk of using substances due to disease-related complications like depression and HIV-associated dementia. There is no adequate evidence on the effect of HIV/AIDS and substance use disorder comorbidity-related effects on placental, fetal, maternal and neonatal outcomes globally.

Methods and analysis
We will search articles written in the English language until 30 January 2024, from PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Sciences, SUMsearch2, Turning Research Into Practice database and Google Scholar. A systematic search strategy involving AND/OR Boolean Operators will retrieve information from these databases and search engines. Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods will be used to report the effect of HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders on placental, fetal and maternal composite outcomes. Descriptive statistics like pooled prevalence mean and SD will be used for qualitative analysis. However, quantitative analysis outcomes will be done by using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software for studies that are combinable. The individual study effects and the weighted mean difference will be reported in a forest plot. In addition to this, the presence of multiple morbidities like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and maternal haemoglobin level could affect placental growth, fetal growth and development, abortion, stillbirth, HIV transmission and composite maternal outcomes. Therefore, subgroup analysis will be done for pregnant women with multiple morbidities.

Ethics and dissemination
Since systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted by using published literature, ethical approval is not required. The results will be presented in conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42023478360.

Background
Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS in most cases are found to be overwhelmed and under-resourced, yet they are believed to be the primary source of support for children living with HIV/AIDS. Family caregivers experience different challenges that affect their children’s antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence.

Aim
This study explored the lived experiences of family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS who sought ART services for these children at the St Joseph’s Hospital of Jirapa, Ghana.

Method
Using a qualitative phenomenology design and a semistructured in-depth interview guide and using purposive sampling, data were gathered from 13 family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS receiving ART treatment at St Joseph’s Hospital, Jirapa following ethical approval. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.

Findings
Six themes were generated: five challenges and one support. Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS experienced: (1) Financial challenges, (2) Human-related challenges, (3) Challenges at HIV testing and counselling (HTC) centres, (4) Challenges with transportation, (5) Challenges in disclosing children’s HIV status to them and (6) Support received from HTC and their family members.

Conclusion and recommendation
Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS experience daunting challenges in their quest to care for their children. Governmental and non-governmental HIV/AIDS programme support should include small business skills training and acquisition including capital to help set up small-scale businesses for such caregivers to reduce their financial challenges. Access to ART at clinics closer to caregivers is also key to promoting adherence. Family and community support has been recognised as key to enhancing ART adherence. Education of caregivers on policy regarding disclosure of the HIV/AIDS status of children, the need to work to reduce the time spent by caregivers at HTC, and ensuring privacy by limiting access to HTCs to only caregivers and their children, are important to enhancing adherence.

Objectives
Patients’ preferences, values and contexts are important elements of the shared decision-making (SDM) process. We captured those elements into the concept of ‘personal perspective elicitation’ (PPE), which reflects the need to elicit patients’ preferences, values and contexts in patient–clinician conversations. We defined PPE as: ‘the disclosure (either elicited by the clinician or spontaneously expressed by the patient) of information related to the patient’s personal preferences, values and/or contexts potentially relevant to decision-making’. Our goal was to operationalise the concept of PPE through the evaluation of preferences, values and contexts and explore how PPE occurs in clinical encounters.

Design
Cross-sectional study: observational coding based on a novel coding scheme of audio-recorded outpatient clinical encounters where encounter patient decision aids were applied.

Setting
We audio-recorded patient–clinician interactions at three Dutch outpatient clinics. PPE was analysed using a novel observational coding scheme, distinguishing preferences, contexts and four Armstrong taxonomy value types (global, decisional, external and situational). We measured SDM using the Observer OPTION5.

Participants
Twenty patients who suffered from psoriasis or ovarian cysts; four clinicians.

Results
We included 20 audio-recordings. The mean Observer OPTION5 score was 57.5 (SD:10.1). The audio-recordings gave a rich illustration of preferences, values and contexts that were discussed in the patient–clinician interactions. Examples of identified global values: appearance, beliefs, personality traits. Decisional values were related to the process of decision-making. External values related to asking advice from for example, the clinician or significant others. An identified situational value: a new job ahead. Contexts related to how the illness impacted the life (eg, sexuality, family, sports, work life) of patients.

Conclusions
The operationalisation of PPE, an important aspect of SDM, explores which preferences, values and contexts were discussed during patient–clinician interactions where an ePDA was used. The coding scheme appeared feasible to apply but needs further refinement.

Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of standardised antiretroviral therapy (ART) among different HIV subtypes in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and to screen the best ART regimen for this patient population.

Design
A retrospective cohort study was performed, and PLWHA residing in Huzhou, China, between 2018 and 2020, were enrolled.

Setting and participants
Data from 625 patients, who were newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the AIDS Prevention and Control Information System in Huzhou between 2018 and 2020, were reviewed.

Analysis and outcome measures
Data regarding demographic characteristics and laboratory investigation results were collected. Immune system recovery was used to assess the effectiveness of ART, and an increased percentage of CD4+ T lymphocyte counts >30% after receiving ART for >1 year was determined as immunopositive. A multiple logistic regression model was used to comprehensively quantify the association between PLWHA immunological response status and virus subtype. In addition, the joint association between different subtypes and treatment regimens on immunological response status was investigated.

Results
Among 326 enrolled PLWHA with circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and other HIV/AIDS subtypes, the percentages of immunopositivity were 74.0%, 65.6% and 69.6%, respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression models, there was no difference in the immunological response between patients with CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and other subtypes of HIV/AIDS who underwent ART (CRF07_BC: adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI) = 0.8 (0.4 to 1.4); other subtypes: aOR (95% CI) = 1.2 (0.6 to 2.3)). There was no evidence of an obvious joint association between HIV subtypes and ART regimens on immunological response.

Conclusions
Standardised ART was beneficial to all PLWHA, regardless of HIV subtypes, although it was more effective, to some extent, in PLWHA with CRF01_AE.

Background
In Canada, the Public Health Agency surveillance of new HIV cases has demonstrated annual increasing rates since 2020. The rates of new HIV cases are highest in the province of Saskatchewan.

Objectives
The aim of the project was to conduct a resident-oriented realist evaluation of an innovative supportive housing programme, Sanctum, for people living with HIV/AIDS who also face social care issues, such as homelessness. This project took place in Saskatchewan, a province that is seeking innovative approaches to improve quality of life and HIV/AIDS management for its citizens. Our evaluation addressed how and why participants were successful (or not) within the Sanctum programme.

Design and setting
Sanctum is a housing programme located in an inner-city location within the province of Saskatchewan. A unique component of this evaluation was the inclusion of an individual with lived experience, a resident partner, as a member of the research team.

Participants
11 recent Sanctum graduates, seven men and four women, were recruited for client partner-led in-depth, semistructured interviews.

Interventions
Prior to the evaluation, we developed a realist programme theory with potential causal explanations, known as context-mechanism-outcomes (CMO) configurations. Interview data from the evaluation and ongoing discussions with Sanctum board members and our resident partner were used to test, refine and validate the final programme theory and CMO configurations.

Results
CMO configurations at the micro (individual), meso (interpersonal) and macro (community) levels complement the over-arching programme theory. Key findings were the importance of Sanctum’s harm reduction philosophy, accompanied by a non-judgmental and patient-oriented approach. Participants were supported to reduce risky behaviour, improve self-care management and develop healthier relationships within a ‘safe’ home-like setting. Underlying mechanisms that contributed to participants’ success in the programme included: intrinsic motivation, self-worth, belongingness, empowerment and self-efficacy. Evidence-informed recommendations are offered to support Sanctum-like programme development for individuals with holistic health needs related to HIV/AIDS diagnoses and lack of access to necessary social determinants of health.

Conclusions
Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and living circumstances, such as homelessness, were successfully addressed using harm reduction principles and judgement-free approaches within a family-like environment.

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the caregiving behaviours and supportive needs of caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS and provide a basis for healthcare institutions to carry out caregiver interventions.

Design
A purposive sampling method was used to select 11 caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS in the Infectious Disease Department of a tertiary hospital in Nanjing, China, to conduct semistructured interviews. Colaizzi analysis was used to collate and analyse the interview data.

Setting
All interviews were conducted at a tertiary hospital specialising in infectious diseases in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

Participants
We purposively sampled 11 caregivers of people with HIV/AIDS, including nine women and two men.

Results
Analysing the results from the perspective of iceberg theory, three thematic layers were identified: behavioural, value and belief. The behavioural layer includes a lack of awareness of the disease, physical and mental coping disorders, and an increased sense of stigma; the values layer includes a heightened sense of responsibility, the constraints of traditional gender norms, the influence of strong family values and the oppression of public opinion and morality and the belief layer includes the faith of standing together through storms and stress.

Conclusion
Healthcare professionals should value the experiences of caregivers of patients with HIV/AIDS and provide professional support to improve their quality of life.