Causes of hospitalization and perceived access to care among persons newly diagnosed with HIV infection: implications for HIV testing programs

Características sociodemográficas y clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico nuevo de VIH

Objetivo: caracterizar de forma sociodemográfica y clínica pacientes con diagnóstico nuevo de VIH, que fueron hospitalizados en una Clínica Universitaria de alta complejidad entre el año 2010 – 2016.Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptico, de corte transversal por medio de revisión de historias clínicas, que incluyo pacientes ≥14 años, a quienes se les diagnosticó VIH durante la hospitalización y tuvieran al menos un conteo de linfocitos CD4.Resultados: la mediana para la edad fue 41 años (RIC 31 – 51), el 85,1% eran hombres. Los principales síntomas al ingreso fueron generales/sistémicos (70,2%). 99 pacientes (61,5%) tenían infecciones oportunistas siendo tuberculosis la más frecuente (34,3%). La mediana para el conteo de CD4 fue 88 células/mm3 RIC (27 – 327) y el 77% se clasificó como SIDA. 29 pacientes murieron (18%) encontrando como posible factor de riesgo tener conteo de CD4 <200 células/mm3, no pertenecer al régimen contributivo, ingresar con síntomas respiratorios, tener diagnóstico de neumonía, criterios de falla multiorgánica o necesidad de UCI/UCE.Conclusión: para nuestro caso la mayoría de pacientes con diagnóstico nuevo de VIH se encontraban en estados avanzados de inmunosupresión con alta carga de enfermedades definitorias de SIDA. Es importante fortalecer las políticas de salud pública para diagnosticar más temprano la infección por VIH.

Determinants of excellent/good self-rated health among HIV positive individuals in South Africa: evidence from a 2012 nationally representative household survey

BACKGROUND

In South Africa, HIV is increasingly becoming a chronic disease as a result of advances in HIV treatment and prevention in the last three decades. This has changed the perception from a life threating to a potentially manageable disease. However, little is known about self-perceived health status of HIV-infected individuals. Self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to be a sensitive indicator of health-relatedchanges directly linked to HIV, but can also be influenced by differences in social and material conditions. The aim of this paper was to identify determinants of excellent/good SRH among HIV-infected individuals using socio-demographic, life style and health related data.

METHODS

The study used data from the nationally representative 2012 South African population-based household survey on HIV prevalence, incidence and behaviour conducted using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify determinants of SRH among HIV-infected individuals.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 2632 HIV positive participants 74.1% (95% CI: 68.4-74.2) reported excellent/good SRH. Increased likelihood of reporting excellent/good SRH was significantly associated with being Black African [OR= 1.97 (95%CI: 1.12-3.46), p = 0.019] and belonging to least poor household [OR= 3.13 (95%CI: 1.26-7.78), p = 0.014]. Decreased likelihood of reporting excellent/good SRH was significantly associated with those aged 25 to 34 years [OR= 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31-0.78), p = 0.003], 35 to 44 years[OR= 0.27 (95% CI: 0.17-0.44), p < 0.001], 45 to 54 years [OR= 0.20 (95% CI: 0.12-0.34), p < 0.001], and those 55 years and older [OR= 0.15 (95% CI: 0.09-0.26), p < 0.001], hospitalization in the past twelve months [OR= 0.40 (95% CI: 0.26-0.60), p < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

To have positive health effects and improve the perceived health status for PLWH social interventions should seek to enhance to support for the elderly HIV-positive individuals, and address the challenge of socio-economic inequalities and underlying comorbid conditions resulting in hospitalization.

"My YAP Family": Analysis of a Facebook Group for Young Adults Living with HIV

Little research exists regarding the use of social networking sites, like Facebook, for improving patient well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate a private Facebook group established for members of an HIV clinic's young adult program. This study employed directed content analysis to examine the types and frequencies of interactions observable in the 3,838 posts and comments that appeared on the Facebook group page between March 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012. Analysis revealed that a large percentage (41.7 %) of the content was classified as "administrative/engagement in group" and functioned to enhance the operations of the program as a whole. Additionally, positive interactions were frequently observed, especially socializing (24.8 %), banter (20.2 %), and offers of social support (15.1 %). Emotional support was the most frequent type of support requested, while esteem support was the most commonly provided form of support. The results of this study demonstrate that a Facebook group can be a means of providing patients with social support and positive social interaction and can improve services for young adults with HIV.

Factors Associated With Hospitalizations Among HIV-Infected Adults in the United States: Review of the Literature

Although improving health outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons has been identified as a national priority, little is known about the factors associated with hospitalizations of HIV-infected persons in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Since the introduction of HAART in 1996, there has been a dramatic increase in the life expectancy of HIV-infected persons. However, aging and the long term use of HIV medications have led to an increased incidence of chronic, non-HIV-related illnesses. To improve patient outcomes, the factors that contribute to co-morbidities in HIV-infected persons need to be identified. As a first step, we will summarize the current literature on causes and contributing factors of hospitalizations in adults infected with HIV in the HAART era.

Assessment of clinico-immunological profile of newly diagnosed HIV patients presenting to a teaching hospital of eastern India

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Newly diagnosed HIV patients may be asymptomatic or present with a wide range of symptoms related to opportunistic infections, acute seroconversion illness or other medical illnesses. This study was designed to evaluate the socio-demographic parameters, spectrum of the presenting clinical conditions and concurrent immunological status of newly diagnosed HIV patients and document the WHO clinical stages at the time of HIV diagnosis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, observational study was undertaken over a 12 month period at a tertiary referral hospital in eastern India. Three hundred sixty consecutive newly diagnosed HIV patients were selected for the study from the HIV clinic and medicine wards of this hospital. Demographic and clinical data and relevant laboratory investigations of the patients were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 36.38±10.62 yr, while 63.89 per cent were males. The main mode of transmission of HIV for males and females were unprotected exposure to commercial sex (139, 60.44%) and intercourse with HIV seropositive spouses (89, 68.46%), respectively. Fever (104, 28.89%), weight loss (103, 28.61%) and generalized weakness (80, 22.22%) were the predominant symptoms. Overall mean CD4 count was 176.04±163.49 cells/μl (males 142.19±139.33 cells/μl; females 235.92±185.11 cells/μl). Overall, 224 opportunistic infections were documented in 160 patients, opportunistic diarrhoea (44, 12.22%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (39, 10.83%) being the commonest. There were 83 and 133 patients in WHO clinical stages 3 and 4, respectively; 291 (80.83%) patients were eligible for initiation of first-line antiretrovirals at presentation.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Advanced immunodeficiency and burden of opportunistic infections characterize newly diagnosed HIV patients in eastern India. The physicians should keep in mind that these patients may have more than one clinical condition at presentation.

A pandemic of the poor: social disadvantage and the U.S. HIV epidemic

The U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved over the past 30 years and is now concentrated in socially marginalized and disenfranchised communities. The health disparities in this epidemic are striking, with most HIV infections occurring in sexual minorities and communities of color. While widely recognized, the health disparities in HIV and AIDS are not often discussed. In this article, we examine the factors underlying health disparities in the U.S. HIV epidemic. We first discuss the interlocking relationships between biological, social, and behavioral factors that drive HIV/AIDS epidemics. Guided by a well-established conceptual model of health disparities, we then describe the social positions of those most affected by HIV and AIDS, particularly racial and gender groups. Structural and economic conditions-including environmental resources, constraints, access to care, and psychosocial influences-are examined in relation to HIV disease trajectories. Greater attention to contextual factors and comorbidities is needed to reduce the health disparities in HIV/AIDS.