Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Leveraging HIV Programming to Enhance Access to Noncommunicable Disease Care in Southern Botswana
Conclusion: This study demonstrates how HIV programming in Botswana can be leveraged to improve access to specialist medical services for patients with NCDs. (Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC))
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - January 4, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Reid, M. J. A., Haas, M. K., Sedigeng, P., Ramogola-Masire, D., Friedman, H. M., Ho-Foster, A. Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research

Rate of CD4 Decline and Factors Associated with Rapid CD4 Decline in Asymptomatic HIV-Infected Patients
The accurate marker to assess the risk of disease progression in HIV disease is CD4 count. CD4 decline to <200 cells/mm3 prompts the patients to have risk of opportunistic infections. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients who had CD4 count >200 cell/mm3, were antiretroviral naive, and had ≥1-year follow-up. Eighty patients, with mean age of 36.4 (standard deviation [SD] = 9.1) years and 58.8% females, were analyzed. The mean (SD) baseline CD4 count was 423 (119) cells/mm3. During the median (IQR) time of 29.0 (14.1-49.6) months, 26.3% had CD4 declined to <200 cells/mm3...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - January 4, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Chaiyasin, N., Sungkanuparph, S. Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research

IAPAC Guidelines for Optimizing the HIV Care Continuum for Adults and Adolescents
Background: An estimated 50% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally are unaware of their status. Among those who know their HIV status, many do not receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a timely manner, fail to remain engaged in care, or do not achieve sustained viral suppression. Barriers across the HIV care continuum prevent PLHIV from achieving the therapeutic and preventive effects of ART. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted, and 6132 articles, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies with or without comparators, cross-sectional studies, and descriptive documents, met the i...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: International Advisory Panel on HIV Care Continuum Optimization Tags: Normative Guidance Source Type: research

The Effect of Early Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in TB/HIV-Coinfected Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Conclusion: This systematic review presents conclusive evidence on the reduction of all-cause mortality as a result of early initiation of ART. However, this study also confirms the high rate of TB-IRIS and death associated with it. Operational and implementation research are required to maintain the benefit of early ART initiation and proper management of TB-IRIS. Studies on the timing of ART in extrapulmonary and multidrug-resistant TB are recommended. (Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC))
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Abay, S. M., Deribe, K., Reda, A. A., Biadgilign, S., Datiko, D., Assefa, T., Todd, M., Deribew, A. Tags: Antiretroviral Therapy Source Type: research

Risk Factors for Early Mortality on Antiretroviral Treatment of Elderly People Infected with HIV in Burkina Faso
Conclusion: Mortality rate of older adult patients living with HIV in Burkina Faso is high. Early diagnosis, early treatment, and primary prevention of HIV infection in the older adults are the main keys that could help reduce such mortality. (Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC))
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ouedraogo, D.-D., Sawadogo, L. M., Sagna, Y., Sawadogo, A. B., Diallo, I., Hema, A., Poda, A., Drabo, Y. J. Tags: Antiretroviral Therapy Source Type: research

Outcomes of a Postexposure Prophylaxis Program at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana: A Retrospective Cohort Study
This study was undertaken to examine the characteristics of occupational exposure to HIV and the utilization of a risk assessment system (RAS)–based postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among health care workers (HCWs) and health care students (HCSs) in the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). During the study period (January 2005–December 2010), a total of 260 and 35 exposures were reported by HCWs and HCSs, respectively. Ward attendants reported the highest incidence rate of 6.46 of 100 person-years (P-Y). The incidence of high-risk exposures was 0.33 of 100 P-Y (n = 65); 60.0% occurred during a procedure of disposin...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tetteh, R. A., Nartey, E. T., Lartey, M., Mantel-Teeuwisse, A. K., Leufkens, H. G. M., Nortey, P. A., Dodoo, A. N. O. Tags: Antiretroviral Therapy Source Type: research

HIV Viral Load Monitoring Frequency and Risk of Treatment Failure among Immunologically Stable HIV-Infected Patients Prescribed Combination Antiretroviral Therapy
The authors sought to assess whether viral load (VL) monitoring frequency was associated with differential rates of virologic failure (VF) among HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS) participants seen during 1999 to 2013, who had maintained VL <50 copies/mL, CD4 counts ≥300 cells/mm3, and been prescribed a stable combination antiretroviral regimen for at least 2 years. The authors required VL and CD4 testing to have occurred regularly for the entire 2-year period. The authors assessed rates of VF comparing patients who maintained a frequent VL testing (≥3 VLs) to those who shifted to a less frequent schedule (2 VL) after th...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Young, B., Hart, R. L. D., Buchacz, K., Scott, M., Palella, F., Brooks, J. T., for the HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS) Tags: Antiretroviral Therapy Source Type: research

Validation of 2 Spanish-Language Scales to Assess HIV-Related Stigma in Communities
We report the psychometric properties of 2 Spanish-language scales designed to measure (1) opinions about HIV in the community and particularly among health care workers and (2) observed acts of stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by health care workers. The Opinions about HIV Scale included 3 components (policy, avoidance, and empathy) and 9 items, while an adapted version of the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument–Nurse, designed to capture acts of stigma, included 2 components (discrimination related to clinical care and refusal to share or exchange food/gifts). Scales demonstrated good reliability and constr...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Franke, M. F., Nelson, A. K., Munoz, M., Cruz, J. S., Atwood, S., Lecca, L., Shin, S. S. Tags: HIV Clinical Management Source Type: research

Navigator Approach to Improve Quality of Care for Vulnerable Populations in Mexico
For nearly 30 years, Programa Compañeros Inc (Compañeros) has worked in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, to ensure that vulnerable populations can exercise their rights to receive HIV and substance abuse prevention and treatment services. Compañeros staff has worked to ameliorate the negative results that limit access to care to the most vulnerable individuals: those who are poor, homeless, sex workers, addicted, and others whose life context put them at greater risk for being infected with HIV. With support from the MAC AIDS Foundation, Compañeros has expanded its capacity to deliver services ...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ramos, R., Ferreira-Pinto, J., Loza, O. Tags: HIV Clinical Management Source Type: research

System and Patient Barriers to Care among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Houston/Harris County, Texas: HIV Medical Care Providers' Perspectives
In the United States, a considerable number of people diagnosed with HIV are not receiving HIV medical care due to some barriers. Using data from the Medical Monitoring Project survey of HIV medical care providers in Houston/Harris County, Texas, we assessed the HIV medical care providers’ perspectives of the system and patient barriers to HIV care experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study findings indicate that of the 14 HIV care barriers identified, only 1 system barrier and 7 patient barriers were considered of significant (P ≤ .05) importance, with the proportion of HIV medical care provide...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mgbere, O., Khuwaja, S., Bell, T. K., Rodriguez-Barradas, M. C., Arafat, R., Essien, E. J., Singh, M., Aguilar, J., Roland, E. Tags: HIV Clinical Management Source Type: research

Anal Cancer Screening in an Urban HIV Clinic: Provider Perceptions and Practice
In this article, we sought to understand the perceptions and practice of providers on anal cancer screening in HIV-infected patients. Providers in an academic outpatient HIV practice were surveyed. Data were analyzed to determine the acceptability and perceptions of providers on anal Papanicolaou tests. Survey response rate was 55.3% (60.7% among male and 47.4% among female providers). One-third of the providers had received screening requests from patients. Female providers had higher self-rated comfort with anal Papanicolaou tests, with a mean score of 7.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7-9.5) compared to 3.6 (95% CI 1....
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sowah, L. A., Buchwald, U. K., Riedel, D. J., Gilliam, B. L., Khambaty, M., Fantry, L., Spencer, D. E., Weaver, J., Taylor, G., Skoglund, M., Amoroso, A., Redfield, R. R. Tags: HIV Clinical Management Source Type: research

Motivational Interviewing among HIV Health Care Providers: Challenges and Opportunities to Enhance Engagement and Retention in Care in Buenos Aires, Argentina
In Argentina, providers’ response to motivational interviewing (MI) to improve engagement and retention in care among challenging patients with HIV was evaluated. Twelve HIV care physicians participated, and their video recordings pre- and post-MI training were also obtained. One week post-training, 11 of the 12 participants were committed to using MI strategies during consult session. Of the 12 participants, 9 demonstrated appropriate utilization of MI techniques and change in HIV education provided during consultation (Z = –2.375, P = .018). Motivational interviewing appears to be a viable strategy to enhance...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Bofill, L., Weiss, S. M., Lucas, M., Bordato, A., Dorigo, A., Fernandez-Cabanillas, G., Aristegui, I., Lopez, M., Waldrop-Valverde, D., Jones, D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

AIDS-Associated Cardiac Lymphoma--A Review: Apropos a Case Report
Despite treatment with potent and effective combination antiretroviral medications, the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the population living with HIV/AIDS remains significantly higher than that in noninfected individuals. The majority of the HIV-infected patients with NHL present with advanced stage extranodal disease of the B-cell phenotype. Lymphomas are the second most common tumors involving the heart in HIV-infected patients. Although the heart may serve as the primary focus of the lymphoma, in most HIV-related cases, cardiac lymphomatous involvement is part of a metastatic process that originated elsewher...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Bush, L. M., Urrutia, J. G., Rodriguez, E. A., Perez, M. T. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

Management of Sleep Quality and Pain in an Individual Living with HIV and Hepatitis C Coinfection Using an Activity Monitor
Discussion: There were improvements in the participant’s sleep quality and pain. The use of a commercial accelerometer may assist in objectively tracking compliance and activity changes. (Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC))
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sandoval, R., Gilkerson, R. Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Development of an mHealth Intervention (iSTEP) to Promote Physical Activity among People Living with HIV
This article describes an initial qualitative study performed to develop iSTEP for the HIV-positive population, including assessment of PA barriers and facilitators. Two focus groups, with 9 and 12 unique HIV-positive individuals, respectively, were administered to evaluate barriers limiting PA and potential iSTEP content created to encourage greater PA. Group discussions revealed prominent PA barriers, including HIV symptoms (neuropathy, lipoatrophy), antiretroviral medication effects, and fatigue; significant PA facilitators included self-monitoring and family support. Participants provided feedback on strategies to incr...
Source: Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) - November 19, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Montoya, J. L., Wing, D., Knight, A., Moore, D. J., Henry, B. L. Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research