AIDS Care, Volume 20, Issue 3 March 2008, pages 382 - 387
Authors: S. Bastien; W. Sango; K. S. Mnyika; M. C. Masatu; K. I. Klepp
Abstract
This article aims to investigate changes in primary school students' reported exposure to AIDS information and communication, and knowledge levels from 1992 to 2005. A repeated cross-sectional design was used. In 1992, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 2,026 sixth and seventh grade students from 18 randomly selected primary schools in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, Tanzania. The same procedures were repeated in 2005 with a sample of 2,069 students. Mean values with 95% confidence intervals are reported. Chi-square was used to test for differences in proportions. Students in 2005 reported higher levels of exposure to information and communication from all sources than in 1992. Knowledge scores also increased, yet there was a significant decline in four variables, two of which are related to transmission and two of which are factual. An alarming decline in awareness of the condom as a preventative measure was found. Findings also indicate that myths related to transmission and infection persist. Salient sex differences remain, but the knowledge gap is narrowing. Interventions should aim to stimulate discussion in young people's social networks in order to increase overall exposure to AIDS information, communication and knowledge.
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 48(1):90-96, May 1, 2008
Matthew P Fox et al.
Abstract
Objectives: In developing countries, where mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breast-feeding is common, little is known about the impact of postpartum transmission on child survival. This study assessed whether children infected postpartum have longer survival from time of infection versus those infected during gestation or delivery.
Design: We used a prospective cohort study to analyze data from 213 HIV-infected children enrolled in a breast-feeding intervention trial in Lusaka, Zambia (2001 to 2004).
Methods: We compared mortality 1 year after HIV infection in children stratified by age of infection: 0 to 3 days (intrauterine [IU] group), 4 to 40 days (intrapartum/early postpartum [IP/EPP] group), and >40 days (postpartum [PP] group).
Results: A total of 61, 71, and 81 children were infected in the IU, IP/EPP, and PP groups, respectively. Children with intrauterine or intrapartum/early postpartum transmission had higher mortality over the first 12 months after infection than children with postpartum transmission (P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively); no differences were detected between children with intrauterine and intrapartum/early postpartum transmission. Nearly 20% of the IU and IP/EPP groups died by 100 days after infection, whereas nearly 10% of the PP group had died by this time. After adjusting for birth weight, maternal CD4 cell count, breast-feeding, and maternal death, children infected postpartum had one quarter the mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15 to 0.50) of those infected in utero. Stopping breast-feeding increased mortality in infected children (HR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8 to 5.3).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a survival benefit among children infected postpartum versus children infected during pregnancy or delivery and a benefit to increased breast-feeding duration among infected children. Testing children for HIV early may provide a means to allow for earlier intervention.
The New Scientist, Volume 198, Issue 2655, 10 May 2008, Page 4
Available online 9 May 2008.
Only by becoming more accepting of homosexuality and the need to treat intravenous drug users can the region “turn the corner”.
[No abstract available]
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Article in Press, Available online 8 May 2008.
Elia J. Mmbagaa, b, , , Germana H. Leynaa, c, Akhtar Hussainb, Kagoma S. Mnyikaa, Noel E. Samd and Knut-Inge Klepp
Objective
To investigate the magnitude of rural in-migration and the role of in-migrants in the observed increase in HIV-1 prevalence in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involving the adult population aged 15–44 years residing in a rural village was conducted from March to May of 2005. Participants were interviewed regarding their risk behaviors and gave blood for HIV-1 and syphilis testing.
Results
Overall, the response rate was 73.0% (1528/2093). A total of 699 (48.1%) participants reported having in-migrated to the village at some point during their life. The prevalences of HIV-1 infection were 1.8%, 2.3%, and 3.7% among non-in-migrant, long-term in-migrant, and recent in-migrant men, respectively (ptrend < 0.001). The corresponding prevalences among women were 9.2%, 11.5%, and 14.5%, respectively (ptrend = 0.048). The odds of HIV-1 infection were higher among recent in-migrants as compared to non-in-migrants (men: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.4, 95% CI 1.8–6.6; women: AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.0). Risk behaviors were inversely related to years since in-migration for both sexes.
Conclusions
The results suggest that rural in-migration is common for both men and women. In-migrants were at higher risk for HIV-1 infection and contributed significantly to increased rural HIV-1 prevalence. More studies to examine the rate and broader causes of rural in-migration in similar communities are called for. These may help in the design of intervention strategies for curbing the rising rural HIV epidemic.
[Abstract taken from document]
Condom Commandos, shows ‘Stepping Stones’ in action in Angola. The film was shot in the Angolan Army and in the neighbouring village beside the barracks. On-screen, local women confront soldiers about their behaviour, and the impact on the community of 5,000 troops stationed far from home and careless about the health risks of buying sex from impoverished local women and girls.
Scenes include both Angolan troops and elderly women villagers talking with astonishing openness about their bodies, their relationships, and their sexual practices.
This film can be used with communities to help them understand what Stepping Stones is all about. It can also be used to demonstrate to donors and policy-makers the power and effectiveness of the Stepping Stones process.
Like the Stepping Stones process itself, the film makes you want to laugh and cry as you watch people discussing and analysing their behaviour and attitudes using dialogue and games involving role-play and drawings and accompany them on their journey of self-discovery and community empowerment.
This video is also available in Portuguese, can be purchased at £10 from ACORD by clicking on the link below.