No abstract available.
HIV*

Though cases of AIDS are visible in Nigeria and awareness of HIV is high, correct knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention has remained low with significant numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS having low attitudes towards life and the disease itself. This study determined the baseline knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS of adult HIV positive patient enrolled into care at all four comprehensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites in Yola, Nigeria. Baseline reports on the knowledge and attitudes of adult HIV positive patients were obtained from a three arm randomized single blind clinical trial involving 386 randomly selected adult HIV patients who were enrolled into ART care at all four comprehensive ART sites in Yola. An administered, validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Outcome measures were sound knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Test of significance was at α level 0.05. Overall 237 (61.4%) had sound knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention, while 346 (89.6%) of respondents had high attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Though majority of respondents had sound knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention as well as high attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes among this group of individuals would improve positive preventive strategies.
HIV

Introduction: Infection with HIV is multi-faceted and involves the interplay of medical, social, and economic factors thus, management of the disease continues to be a challenge to most physicians. The Philippines is experiencing a surge in cases since 2013. Understanding the local epidemiology of pediatric HIV may reveal opportunities to reduce or eliminate transmission through timely diagnosis. Objective: This study was conducted to identify the features and outcome of children living with HIV in a hospital where a program for HIV treatment and monitoring was implemented. Methodology: Medical records of all children Guidance Intervention Prevention (SAGIP) Unit were reviewed. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Thirty pediatric HIV patients were included in the study. The most common mode of acquisition is by sexual transmission (57%) and most patients were male (76%),bisexual (47%), and heterosexual (47%). Weight loss (50%),rash (50%), fever (37%) and cough (37%) were the most common clinical findings. The most common opportunistic infections were tuberculosis (47%) and oral candidiasis (34%). Only 27 of 30 patients were started on antiretroviral therapy within 6 months from diagnosis. One patient showed resistance to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). There were 11 children who died of various opportunistic infections and its complications, while 2 were transferred to a different treatment hub after 6 months, and 1 lost to follow-up. Conclusion Sexual means of HIV transmission among adolescents is evident in this study. Weight loss, cough, rash, fever, and lymphadenopathy are common presenting features. Tuberculosis and oral candidiasis are the most common opportunistic infections and should alert physicians on possible HIV infection. A mortality rate of 37% was noted mostly in the first 6 months of initiating ART treatment.
HIV

Nodular secondary syphilis is a rare condition with only 12 cases reported from 1980 to 20055 . Cutaneous nodular granulomatous lesions, a positive serologic test for syphilis, and rapid resolution of symptoms with administration of Benzathine Penicillin are usually seen in previous cases 3,4,5,6. We report a case of a 32-year old male with clinical manifestations and laboratory findings consistent with nodular secondary syphilis, and concurrent manifestations of primary and secondary stages. This is the first documented case in East Avenue Medical Center and possibly in the Philippines, highlighting the need for meticulous historytaking, physical examination and laboratory work-up to determine the correct diagnosis.
HIV

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of a Powerpoint lecture versus video presentation on the knowledge and attitude on HIV among grades 9 students in a public school in Manila. Methods: GRADE 9 public school students were randomly assigned into one of two groups, video presentation or PowerPoint presentation. Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess the efficacy of an intervention. Student t-test was used to compare knowledge on HIV/AIDS before and after the intervention, as well as compare the results between the 2 groups. Chi-square was used to compare scores on attitude before and after the intervention, with the level of significance at p=0.05. Results: Two hundred fourteen students participated in the study, and majority (57%) are females. The mean age of participants is 14.2 years. The difference in scores before and after the intervention was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001) with an approximate increase by 16% and 24% after a video and Powerpoint presentation respectively. The difference between post-intervention scores is statistically significant (p <0.001; 95% confidence interval) in favor of the PowerPoint presentation. Conclusion A PowerPoint lecture is more effective than a video presentation in increasing knowledge and developing positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS.
HIV

Introduction: Hansen’s disease or leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae associated with inflammation that may damage the skin and peripheral nerves. In countries where leprosy is still endemic, an increasing preva- lence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be seen, hence increasing the possibility of HIV-leprosy co-infection. Hansen’s disease, if not treated promptly, can cause scars and deformities associated with leprosy reaction. Immunosuppressive drugs like corticosteroids used in the treatment of leprosy reaction may put the patient at risk of opportunistic infections. Case report: This is a case of a 27-year-old Filipino male with HIV-leprosy co-infection, who manifested with erythema nodosum leprosum reaction, treated with tapering dose of oral corticosteroids and multidrug therapy (MDT) for multibacillary leprosy showing good response to treatment after 5 months without recurrence of reaction. The use of chronic oral corticosteroids, despite its immunosuppressive effects, has been beneficial in the management of reactions in this patient with HIV-leprosy co-infection. Conclusion Considering that both Hansen’s disease and HIV directly affects T helper CD4+ lymphocytes in its pathogenesis, there seems to be little to no alteration in the course of patients with HIV-leprosy co-infection. Hence, treatment of HIV-leprosy co-infection does not differ from that of a seronegative leprosy patient. This case highlights the occurrence of erythema nodo- sum leprosum reaction in HIV-leprosy co-infection and the need for immunosuppressive drugs to control reaction and prevent nerve damage. Close monitoring is imperative to weigh the risk-benefit ratio of medications given to patients with HIV-leprosy co-infection.
HIV

Who do we test for HIV? In a perfect world, the answer to this question is, “Everyone.” The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone between the age of 13 to 64 years old should have at least one HIV test as part of routine healthcare. 1 In addition, they recommend that anyone who comes into contact with the healthcare system be tested, along with all pregnant women. The main justification for these recommendations is that 40% of new HIV infections in the United States are transmitted by people who do not know their HIV status, which is about 10% of their people living with HIV (PLHIV).
HIV

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; HIV Infections* ; HIV*

No abstract available.
HIV Infections* ; HIV*

The increasing rate of HIV infection among women, obstetrician-gynecologist should be prepared to counsel patients and recommend testing for the virus to all women who are pregnant or are seeking prepregnancy counseling. Management of HIV infection is directed toward stabilization on HIV disease, preventation of opportunistic infections, and preventation of perinatal transmission. Specific aspects of management are based on the clinical condition of the patient. Clinicans should balance the theoretic risks of fetal HIV inoculation posed by invasive procedures (percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling, chronic villus sampling, amniocentesis) against the benefit of the procedure.
HIV ; HIV Infections ; Pregnancy