International Public Health Commons^™

Progress Toward Eliminating Mother To Child Transmission Of Hiv In Kenya: Review Of Treatment Guideline Uptake And Pediatric Transmission At Four Government Hospitals Between 2010 And 2012., Sarah Finocchario-Kessler, Kristine F. Clark, Samoel Khamadi, Brad J. Gautney, Vincent Okoth, Kathy Goggin, Hitsystem Study Team

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

We analyzed prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) data from a retrospective cohort of n = 1365 HIV+ mothers who enrolled their HIV-exposed infants in early infant diagnosis services in four Kenyan government hospitals from 2010 to 2012. Less than 15 and 20 % of mother-infant pairs were provided with regimens that met WHO Option A and B/B+ guidelines, respectively. Annually, the gestational age at treatment initiation decreased, while uptake of Option B/B+ increased (all p's < 0.001). Pediatric HIV infection was halved (8.6-4.3 %), yet varied significantly by hospital. In multivariable analyses, HIV-exposed infants who received no PMTCT (AOR 4.6 [2.49, 8.62], p < 0.001), mixed foods (AOR 5.0 [2.77, 9.02], p < 0.001), and care at one of the four hospitals (AOR 3.0 [1.51, 5.92], p = 0.002) were more likely to be HIV-infected. While the administration and uptake of WHO PMTCT guidelines is improving, an expanded focus on retention and medication adherence will further reduce pediatric HIV transmission.

Stigmatization Fo Hiv/Aids: A Cross-Cultural Analysis, Jamie Doctrow

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the cause of a public health epidemic that has impacted millions of individuals worldwide. Though medical advances have decreased the number of AIDS related deaths by 42% since the peak year of 2004 (UNAIDS, 2015), many individuals with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their status and are not currently receiving antiretroviral treatment. Many experts have suggested that a significant barrier to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment is the social stigma that has become attached to the disease. No single cause of this stigmatization has been identified, but a variety of influences may play a role. To …

Hiv Vaccines: Progress, Limitations And A Crispr/Cas9 Vaccine, Omar A. Garcia Martinez

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 pandemic continues to thrive due to ineffective HIV-1 vaccines. Historically, the world’s most infectious diseases, such as polio and smallpox, have been eradicated or have come close to eradication due to the advent of effective vaccines. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is able to delay the onset of AIDS but can neither rid the body of HIV-1 proviral DNA nor prevent further transmission. A prophylactic vaccine that prevents the various mechanisms HIV-1 has to evade and attack our immune system is needed to end the HIV-1 pandemic. Recent advances in engineered nuclease systems, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, have …

Are Text Messages A Feasible And Acceptable Way To Reach Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia With Health Messages? A Cross-Sectional Phone Survey, Carinne M. Brody, Sukhmani Dhaliwal, Sovannary Tuot, Michael Johnson, Khuondyla Pal, Siyan Yi

Background: Despite great achievements in reducing the prevalence of HIV, eliminating new HIV infections remains a challenge in Cambodia. Entertainment venues such as restaurants, karaoke bars, beer gardens, cafes, pubs, and massage parlors are now considered important venues for HIV prevention efforts and other health outreach interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore phone use and texting practices of female entertainment workers (FEWs) in order to determine if text messaging is a feasible and acceptable way to link FEWs to health services.

Methods: This cross-sectional phone survey was conducted in May 2015 with 97 …

Social Return On Investment: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of The Hiv Integrated Care And Prevention Programs In Cambodia, Sovannary Tuot, Liza Tong, Sopheab Heng, Minh-Anh Luong, Khuondyla Pal, Pheak Chhoun, Siyan Yi

Background: KHANA’s HIV Integrated Care and Prevention (ICP) project provided comprehensive care and support to HIV-affected communities through home and community-based care teams from 2007 to 2011. The aim of this study was to use Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to evaluate the social, health, and economic impacts of the ICP project, enabling the calculation of a ratio cost-to-benefit for the community in terms of HIV care, support, and treatment. Methods: The SROI methodology is a social cost-benefit analysis framework that measures and accounts for the values created by a program or series of initiatives. Values were mapped to …

Hiv Risk And Psychological Distress Among Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Carinne M. Brody, Pheak Chhoun, Sovannary Tuot, Khuondyla Pal, Siyan Yi

Background: In Cambodia, there has been an increase in entertainment work as a result of the breakdown of the traditional brothel-based sex industry, presenting new challenges to addressing the health issues and needs of people working in the entertainment industry. This study aims to identify factors associated with psychological distress among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia.

Methods: A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to randomly select 657 FEWs from entertainment establishments in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in April and May 2014 for interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health …

Improving Prevention And Care For Hiv And Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In Cambodia: The Sustainable Action Against Hiv And Aids In Communities (Sahacom), Siyan Yi, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Khuondyla Pal, Chanrith Ngin, Sok Chamreun Choub, Carinne M. Brody

Background: The prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among key populations in Cambodia continues to rise. To address this issue, KHANA, the largest national HIV organization in the country developed and implemented the Sustainable Action against HIV and AIDS in Communities (SAHACOM) project. This study aims to determine the impacts of the SAHACOM on sexual behaviors and the uptake of HIV/STI services among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cambodia.

Methods: We compared outcome indicators at midterm (n = 352) and endline (n = 394). Surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2014 in Battambang …

Determinants Of Inconsistent Condom Use Among Hiv Serodiscordant Couples In Cambodia, Sovannary Tuot, Khuondyla Pal, Kouland Thin, Chrysanta Patio, Kelly Allbritton, Christie Blondek, Siyan Yi

Background: Globally, heterosexual transmission within serodiscordant relationships is a significant source of new HIV infections. In 2012, there were an estimated 1,350 incident cases of HIV in Cambodia, of which 37% were between heterosexual couples and 30% among sex workers. In combination with antiretroviral therapy (ART), consistent condom use can significantly reduce HIV transmission risk among serodiscordant couples. This study explored determinants of inconsistent condom use among serodiscordant couples in Cambodia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Battambang, Pursat and Takeo provinces in September 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on condom use and …