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Mwangala PN, Ssewanyana D, Mwangi P, Chongwo E, Nasambu C, Kagonya VA, Scerif G, Newton CR, Abubakar A. Correlates of health-related quality of life in primary caregivers of perinatally HIV infected and HIV exposed uninfected adolescents at the Kenyan Coast. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20:11. [PMID: 35062964 PMCID: PMC8780308 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-022-01915-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mothers and other primary caregivers play a crucial role in looking after perinatally HIV infected, and HIV exposed uninfected adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Day- to-day caregiving in the context of limited instrumental support and added biomedical risk (HIV seropositivity) may expose these caregivers to adverse states of health. Unfortunately, very few studies have examined their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our study documents the HRQoL profile, and associated factors in primary caregivers of perinatally HIV infected, perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected and HIV unexposed/uninfected adolescents aged 12-17 years at the Kenyan Coast. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis of 485 primary caregivers: 195 of perinatally HIV infected adolescents, 128 of perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected adolescents and 162 of HIV unexposed/uninfected adolescents. All caregivers completed a self-report measure of HRQoL (having 8 subscales), depressive symptoms, and parenting stress. They also provided their sociodemographic information and that of the care recipients. We used one-way analysis of variance to assess statistical differences among the groups. Linear regression analyses were used to identify correlates of HRQoL. RESULTS Overall, caregivers of HIV unexposed/uninfected adolescents reported significantly higher mean HRQoL scores than the other caregivers in the overall HRQoL domain and majority of the subscales. There were no statistical differences in the overall HRQoL scores and most subscales between caregivers of HIV exposed adolescents. Linear regression analyses across the sample indicated that depressive symptoms, increasing age of caregiver, and caring for an adolescent perinatally exposed to HIV were significantly associated with reduced HRQoL at both the overall and sub-scale level. Having a professional job relative to subsistence farming was the only factor associated with improved overall HRQoL. At subscale level, higher socioeconomic status correlated positively with HRQoL while being a grandparent, level of education, parenting stress were negatively associated with HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers in this sample, especially those who are ageing, at risk of mental ill-health, and taking care of adolescents perinatally exposed to HIV, appear to be vulnerable to poor quality of life. Inclusive and multi-component interventions tailored to the caregivers' psychosocial and mental needs will potentially enhance their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick N. Mwangala
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, 2193 South Africa
| | - Derrick Ssewanyana
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.470490.eInstitute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 30270-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul Mwangi
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Esther Chongwo
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Carophine Nasambu
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Vincent A. Kagonya
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Gaia Scerif
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Oxford, OC2 6GG UK
| | - Charles R. Newton
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Warneford Ln, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
| | - Amina Abubakar
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Warneford Ln, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK ,grid.449370.d0000 0004 1780 4347Department of Public Health, Pwani University, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya ,grid.470490.eInstitute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 30270-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Goldberg RE, Short SE. What do we know about children living with HIV-infected or AIDS-ill adults in Sub-Saharan Africa? A systematic review of the literature. AIDS Care 2017; 28 Suppl 2:130-41. [PMID: 27392008 PMCID: PMC4991228 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1176684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Millions of children in Sub-Saharan Africa live with adults, often parents, who are HIV-infected or ill due to AIDS. These children experience social, emotional, and health vulnerabilities that overlap with, but are not necessarily the same as, those of orphans or other vulnerable children. Despite their distinctive vulnerabilities, research aimed at understanding the situation of these children has been limited until very recently. This review summarizes the state of knowledge based on a systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science that identified 47 empirical research articles that examined either the population prevalence of children living with HIV-infected or AIDS-sick adults, or the consequences of adult HIV infection or AIDS illness for child well-being. This review confirms that this population of children is substantial in size, and that the vulnerabilities they experience are multi-faceted, spanning physical and emotional health and schooling. Mechanisms were examined empirically in only a small number of studies, but encompass poverty, transmission of opportunistic infections, care for unwell adults, adult distress, AIDS stigma, lack of social support, maternal breastfeeding issues, and vertical HIV transmission. Some evidence is provided that infants, adolescents, children with infected or ill mothers, and children living with severely ill adults are particularly vulnerable. Future research would benefit from more attention to causal inference and further characterization of processes and circumstances related to vulnerability and resilience. It would also benefit from further study of variation in observed associations between adult HIV/AIDS and child well-being based on characteristics such as age, sex, kinship, severity of illness, TB co-infection, disclosure, and serostatus awareness. Almost one-quarter of the studies reviewed did not investigate variation based on any of these factors. More nuanced understanding of the short- and long-term effects of adult HIV on children's needs and circumstances will be important to ongoing discussions about equity in policies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Goldberg
- a Department of Sociology , University of California Irvine , Irvine , CA , USA
| | - Susan E Short
- b Department of Sociology and Population Studies and Training Center , Brown University , Providence , RI , USA
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Kidman R, Heymann J. Caregiver supportive policies to improve child outcomes in the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic: an analysis of the gap between what is needed and what is available in 25 high prevalence countries. AIDS Care 2017; 28 Suppl 2:142-52. [PMID: 27392009 PMCID: PMC4991222 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1176685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, caregivers are struggling to support HIV-affected children. For reasons of equity and efficiency, their needs can be best met through strong social protections and policies. This paper presents a conceptual framework to help address the needs of HIV-affected caregivers and to prioritize policies. We describe the needs that are common across diverse caregiving populations (e.g., economic security); the needs which are intensified (e.g., leave to care for sick children) or unique to providing care to HIV-affected children (e.g., ARV treatment). The paper then explores the types of social policies that would facilitate families meeting these needs. We outline a basic package of policies that would support HIV-affected families, and would meet goals agreed to by national governments. We examine the availability of these policies in 25 highly affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of countries guarantee short-term income protection during illness, free primary school, and educational inclusion of children with special needs. However, there are significant gaps in areas critical to family economic security and healthy child development. Fewer than half of the countries we analyzed guarantee a minimum wage that will enable families to escape poverty; only six have eliminated tuition fees for secondary school; and only three offer paid leave to care for sick children. Filling these policy gaps, as well as making mental health and social services more widely available, is essential to support caregiving by families for HIV-affected children. As part of the HIV agenda, the global community can help national governments advance towards their policy targets. This would provide meaningful protection for families affected by HIV, as well as for millions of other vulnerable families and children across the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kidman
- a Program in Public Health and Department of Family, Population & Preventative Medicine , Stony Brook University , Stony Brook , NY , USA
| | - Jody Heymann
- b Fielding School of Public Health , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles , CA , USA
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Factors Affecting Outcome of Tuberculosis in Children in Italy: An Ecological Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 27677276 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis is a major problem in children depending on their families for management and a re-emerging disease in low incidence countries, where foreign-born cases account for a large proportion of cases. METHODS We investigated socioeconomic features of families and their impact on management and outcome of children with tuberculosis disease seen at a tertiary care centre for paediatric infectious diseases in Italy. RESULTS Forty-nine Italian and 30 foreign-origin children were included. Children from foreign families had more complicated diseases (20 % vs 0 %; P = 0.002), harbored more drug resistant strains (20 % vs 2 %; P = 0.011), showed longer hospital stay (12 ± 13.1 vs 5.1 ± 6.5 days; P = 0.012) and higher proportion of missed medical visits (15.7 ± 16 vs 8.6 ± 9.6; P ≤ 0.042) than those from Italian families. Harboring drug resistant strains was an independent risk factor for complicated disease course (OR: 72.98; 95 %CI: 1.54-3468.58; P = 0.029), and this risk is higher in children from Eastern Europe (OR: 10.16; 95 %CI: 1.7-61.9; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Children from immigrant families showed an increased risk of complicated course of tuberculosis due to a higher rate of resistant strains and raise problems in clinical management. Specific protocols are needed to support these populations ensuring easy access to health services and monitoring.
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Zhan L, Tang J, Sun M, Qin C. Animal Models for Tuberculosis in Translational and Precision Medicine. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:717. [PMID: 28522990 PMCID: PMC5415616 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a health threat to the global population. Anti-TB drugs and vaccines are key approaches for TB prevention and control. TB animal models are basic tools for developing biomarkers of diagnosis, drugs for therapy, vaccines for prevention and researching pathogenic mechanisms for identification of targets; thus, they serve as the cornerstone of comparative medicine, translational medicine, and precision medicine. In this review, we discuss the current use of TB animal models and their problems, as well as offering perspectives on the future of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of HealthBeijing, China.,Institution of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Centre for Tuberculosis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging InfectiousBeijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesBeijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
| | - Jun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of HealthBeijing, China.,Institution of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Centre for Tuberculosis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging InfectiousBeijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesBeijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
| | - Mengmeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of HealthBeijing, China.,Institution of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Centre for Tuberculosis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging InfectiousBeijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesBeijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of HealthBeijing, China.,Institution of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Centre for Tuberculosis, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging InfectiousBeijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesBeijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Model, State Administration of Traditional Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
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Collishaw S, Gardner F, Lawrence Aber J, Cluver L. Predictors of Mental Health Resilience in Children who Have Been Parentally Bereaved by AIDS in Urban South Africa. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2017; 44:719-30. [PMID: 26329481 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-015-0068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Children parentally bereaved by AIDS experience high rates of mental health problems. However, there is considerable variability in outcomes, and some show no mental health problems even when followed over time. Primary aims were to identify predictors of resilient adaptation at child, family and community levels within a group of AIDS-orphaned children, and to consider their cumulative influence. A secondary aim was to test whether predictors were of particular influence among children orphaned by AIDS relative to non-orphaned and other-orphaned children. AIDS-orphaned (n = 290), other-orphaned (n = 163) and non-orphaned (n = 202) adolescents living in informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa were assessed on two occasions 4 years apart (mean age 13.5 years at Time 1, range = 10-19 years). Self-report mental health screens were used to operationalise resilience in AIDS-orphaned children as the absence of clinical-range symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and suicidality. A quarter of AIDS-orphaned children (24 %) showed no evidence of mental health problems at either wave. Child physical health, better caregiving quality, food security, better peer relationship quality, and lower exposure to community violence, bullying or stigma at baseline predicted sustained resilience. There were cumulative influences across predictors. Associations with mental health showed little variation by child age or gender, or between orphaned and non-orphaned children. Mental health resilience is associated with multiple processes across child, family and community levels of influence. Caution is needed in making causal inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Collishaw
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
| | - Frances Gardner
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - J Lawrence Aber
- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Children Living with HIV-Infected Adults: Estimates for 23 Countries in sub-Saharan Africa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142580. [PMID: 26575484 PMCID: PMC4648531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa many children live in extreme poverty and experience a burden of illness and disease that is disproportionately high. The emergence of HIV and AIDS has only exacerbated long-standing challenges to improving children’s health in the region, with recent cohorts experiencing pediatric AIDS and high levels of orphan status, situations which are monitored globally and receive much policy and research attention. Children’s health, however, can be affected also by living with HIV-infected adults, through associated exposure to infectious diseases and the diversion of household resources away from them. While long recognized, far less research has focused on characterizing this distinct and vulnerable population of HIV-affected children. Methods Using Demographic and Health Survey data from 23 countries collected between 2003 and 2011, we estimate the percentage of children living in a household with at least one HIV-infected adult. We assess overlaps with orphan status and investigate the relationship between children and the adults who are infected in their households. Results The population of children living in a household with at least one HIV-infected adult is substantial where HIV prevalence is high; in Southern Africa, the percentage exceeded 10% in all countries and reached as high as 36%. This population is largely distinct from the orphan population. Among children living in households with tested, HIV-infected adults, most live with parents, often mothers, who are infected; nonetheless, in most countries over 20% live in households with at least one infected adult who is not a parent. Conclusion Until new infections contract significantly, improvements in HIV/AIDS treatment suggest that the population of children living with HIV-infected adults will remain substantial. It is vital to on-going efforts to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality to consider whether current care and outreach sufficiently address the distinct vulnerabilities of these children.
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Lancella L, Lo Vecchio A, Chiappini E, Tadolini M, Cirillo D, Tortoli E, de Martino M, Guarino A, Principi N, Villani A, Esposito S, Galli L. How to manage children who have come into contact with patients affected by tuberculosis. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis 2015; 1:1-12. [PMID: 31723675 PMCID: PMC6850253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood tuberculosis (TB) indicates a recent infection, particularly in children aged < 5 years, and therefore is considered a sentinel event insofar as it highlights the presence of an undiagnosed or untreated source case. The risk of acquiring TB is directly proportional to the number of bacilli to which a subject is exposed and the environment in which the contact occurred. This document contains the recommendations of a group of Italian scientific societies for managing a child exposed to a case of TB based on an analysis of the risk factors for acquiring latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) and developing the disease, and the particular aspects TB transmission during the first years of life. The guidance includes a detailed description of the methods used to identify the index case, the tests that the exposed child should receive and the possibilities of preventive chemoprophylaxis depending on the patient's age and immune status, the chemotherapy and monitoring methods indicated in the case of LTBI, the management of a child who has come into contact with a case of multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant TB, and the use of molecular typing in the analysis of epidemics. The group of experts identified risk factors for tuberculous infection and disease in pediatric age as well as gave recommendation on management of contacts of cases of TB according to their age, risk factors and exposure to multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lancella
- Unit of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Lo Vecchio
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Pediatric Clinic, Meyer Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marina Tadolini
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Cirillo
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Tortoli
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Guarino
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Science, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Principi
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Villani
- Unit of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Pediatric Clinic, Meyer Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Becker E, Kuo C, Operario D, Moshabela M, Cluver L. Measuring child awareness for adult symptomatic HIV using a verbal assessment tool: concordance between adult-child dyads on adult HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses. Sex Transm Infect 2015; 91:528-33. [PMID: 25587182 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed children's awareness for adult HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses using a verbal assessment tool by analysing inter-rater reliability between adult-child dyads. This study also evaluated sociodemographic and household characteristics associated with child awareness of adult symptomatic HIV. METHODS A cross-sectional survey using a representative community sample of adult-child dyads (N=2477 dyads) was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Analyses focused on a subsample (n=673 adult-child dyads) who completed verbal assessment interviews for symptomatic HIV. We used an existing validated verbal autopsy approach, originally designed to determine AIDS-related deaths by adult proxy reporters. We adapted this approach for use by child proxy reporters for reporting on HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses among living adults. Analyses assessed whether children could reliably report on adult HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses and adult provisional HIV status. RESULTS Adult-child pairs concurred above the 65th percentile for 9 of the 10 HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses with sensitivities ranging from 10% to 100% and specificities ranging from 20% to 100%. Concordant reporting between adult-child dyads for the adult's provisional HIV status was 72% (sensitivity=68%, specificity=73%). Children were more likely to reliably match adult's reports of provisional HIV status when they lived in households with more household members, and households with more robust socioeconomic indicators including access to potable water, food security and television. CONCLUSIONS Children demonstrate awareness of HIV-associated symptoms and illnesses experienced by adults in their household. Children in households with greater socioeconomic resources and more household members were more likely to reliably report on the adult's provisional HIV status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Becker
- Division of Community, Family Health and Equity, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Caroline Kuo
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Don Operario
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mosa Moshabela
- Department of Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa Department of Social Policy and Intervention, Oxford University, Oxford, UK Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Medical pluralism predicts non-ART use among parents in need of ART: a community survey in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2015; 19:137-44. [PMID: 25034940 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-014-0852-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite documented common use of traditional healers and efforts to scale up antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence on whether medical pluralism predicts ART use is inconclusive and restricted to clinic settings. This study quantitatively assesses whether medical pluralism predicts ART use among parents in need of ART in South Africa. 2,477 parents or primary caregivers of children were interviewed in HIV-endemic communities of KwaZulu-Natal. Analysis used multiple logistic regression on a subsample of 435 respondents in need of ART, who reported either medical pluralism (24.6 %) or exclusive public healthcare use (75.4 %). Of 435 parents needing ART, 60.7 % reported ART use. Medical pluralism emerged as a persistent negative predictor of ART utilization among those needing it (AOR [95 % CI] = .556 [.344 - .899], p = .017). Use of traditional healthcare services by those who need ART may act as a barrier to treatment access. Effective intersectoral collaboration at community level is urgently needed.
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Akintola O, Hangulu L. Infection control in home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS/TB in South Africa: an exploratory study. Glob Public Health 2014; 9:382-93. [PMID: 24697215 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2014.895405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The majority of HIV and AIDS patients in sub-Saharan African countries receive health care services at home. Yet research on infection control in home-based care settings is virtually non-existent. This study explored infection control practices in home-based care in a South African province with a high HIV/TB prevalence. We conducted interviews with 10 managers of home-based care organizations and 10 focus group discussions with 80 volunteer caregivers working in high HIV/TB prevalent communities in South Africa. Findings show that volunteers had insufficient training on infection control. Materials necessary for the maintenance of hygiene and protective equipment were in short supply and the protective equipment supplied was of poor quality. Home-based care patients lived in crowded and poor conditions, and family members were negatively disposed to the use of protective devices. Together, these factors put volunteers and family caregivers at risk of infection with HIV and TB. Health policy should address the training of volunteer caregivers and the regular supply of good quality materials to ensure effective infection control. It is also important to educate families on infection control. Finally, there is a need to integrate HIV and TB control at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olagoke Akintola
- a School of Applied Human Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
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