Pacientes infectados pelo HIV apresentam resposta de imunogenicidade menor àquela obtida pela população geral com a imunização de rotina. A vacina meningocócica C conjugada é indicada para essa população, não existindo pesquisas prévias que avaliassem a imunogenicidade desta, para esse grupo específico. O estudo realizou essa avaliação comparando a resposta vacinal entre os pacientes infectados e não infectados pelo HIV, as relações dessa resposta com parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais da infecção pelo vírus e os eventos adversos à vacinação. Utilizou-se as técnicas ensaios de anticorpos bactericidas séricos ou ação bactericida no soro (SBA) e o enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico, envolvendo 92 pacientes, com idades entre 10-20 anos, sendo 43 infectados e 49 não infectados pelo HIV. Após a vacinação, 72,1% do grupo HIV+ e 100% do grupo HIV- foram considerados protegidos. Os pacientes do grupo HIV+ não respondedores à vacinação foram revacinados, tendo sido respondedores a essa nova dose 40% destes. Portanto, 81,4% dos pacientes infectados pelo HIV adquiriram proteção com a vacina (após uma ou duas doses). Foi encontrada correlação da resposta vacinal com o número de esquemas antirretrovirais previamente utilizados e carga viral pré-vacinação, não havendo outras associações com os demais parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais da infecção pelo HIV. Pacientes com adequada resposta vacinal tenderam a ser os de menor idade. Efeitos colaterais ocorreram em 16,3% no grupo HIV+ e em 44% no HIV-. Conclui-se que a vacina meningocócica C conjugada é segura e efetiva para uso em adolescentes e adultos jovens com aids, embora a resposta de anticorpos seja menor do que a observada em indivíduos saudáveis. Isso indica a necessidade de discussão de novos esquemas de imunização em infectados pelo HIV, objetivando uma proteção mais efetiva contra doença meningocócica / Children and adolescents infected with HIV typically have a weaker response to immunization in comparison with the healthy population. The meningococcal C conjugate vaccine is routinely recommended for those individuals. No studies, however, have evaluated the antibody response to this vaccine in HIV-infected patients yet. In this study, we compared the antibody response to the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients using the serum bactericidal antibody assay (SBA) and the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Additional objectives were to determine whether the acquired immunity correlated with clinical and laboratory features of HIV infection, and to evaluate the vaccine side effects in this population. This clinical trial included 92 patients aged 10 to 20 years old: 43 HIV-infected and 49 HIV-uninfected patients. After one single dose of the vaccine, 72.1% of the HIV-infected and 100% of the HIV-uninfected patients were considered protected. Of the HIV-infected patients (non-responders in first dose) who received a second dose of the vaccine, only 40% reached protective antibody levels. Overall, 81.4% of the HIV-infected patients reached protective antibody titres (after one or two doses of the vaccine). The antibody response in HIV-infected patients correlated with the number of prior antiretroviral therapy schedules and with the pre-vaccination viral load, but with no other clinical features or laboratory tests. Patients with adequate vaccinal response tended to be younger. Side effects occurred in 16.3% and 44% of the HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected groups, respectively. In conclusion, the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine proved to be safe and effective in HIV-infected adolescents and young adults, although their antibody response was weaker than that of HIV-uninfected patients. These results suggest that the immunization schedule for HIV-infected patients should be re-evaluated, in order to assure more effective protection against the meningococcal disease in this population

Pacientes infectados pelo HIV apresentam resposta de imunogenicidade menor àquela obtida pela população geral com a imunização de rotina. A vacina meningocócica C conjugada é indicada para essa população, não existindo pesquisas prévias que avaliassem a imunogenicidade desta, para esse grupo específico. O estudo realizou essa avaliação comparando a resposta vacinal entre os pacientes infectados e não infectados pelo HIV, as relações dessa resposta com parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais da infecção pelo vírus e os eventos adversos à vacinação. Utilizou-se as técnicas ensaios de anticorpos bactericidas séricos ou ação bactericida no soro (SBA) e o enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico, envolvendo 92 pacientes, com idades entre 10-20 anos, sendo 43 infectados e 49 não infectados pelo HIV. Após a vacinação, 72,1% do grupo HIV+ e 100% do grupo HIV- foram considerados protegidos. Os pacientes do grupo HIV+ não respondedores à vacinação foram revacinados, tendo sido respondedores a essa nova dose 40% destes. Portanto, 81,4% dos pacientes infectados pelo HIV adquiriram proteção com a vacina (após uma ou duas doses). Foi encontrada correlação da resposta vacinal com o número de esquemas antirretrovirais previamente utilizados e carga viral pré-vacinação, não havendo outras associações com os demais parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais da infecção pelo HIV. Pacientes com adequada resposta vacinal tenderam a ser os de menor idade. Efeitos colaterais ocorreram em 16,3% no grupo HIV+ e em 44% no HIV-. Conclui-se que a vacina meningocócica C conjugada é segura e efetiva para uso em adolescentes e adultos jovens com aids, embora a resposta de anticorpos seja menor do que a observada em indivíduos saudáveis. Isso indica a necessidade de discussão de novos esquemas de imunização em infectados pelo HIV, objetivando uma proteção mais efetiva contra doença meningocócica / Children and adolescents infected with HIV typically have a weaker response to immunization in comparison with the healthy population. The meningococcal C conjugate vaccine is routinely recommended for those individuals. No studies, however, have evaluated the antibody response to this vaccine in HIV-infected patients yet. In this study, we compared the antibody response to the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients using the serum bactericidal antibody assay (SBA) and the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Additional objectives were to determine whether the acquired immunity correlated with clinical and laboratory features of HIV infection, and to evaluate the vaccine side effects in this population. This clinical trial included 92 patients aged 10 to 20 years old: 43 HIV-infected and 49 HIV-uninfected patients. After one single dose of the vaccine, 72.1% of the HIV-infected and 100% of the HIV-uninfected patients were considered protected. Of the HIV-infected patients (non-responders in first dose) who received a second dose of the vaccine, only 40% reached protective antibody levels. Overall, 81.4% of the HIV-infected patients reached protective antibody titres (after one or two doses of the vaccine). The antibody response in HIV-infected patients correlated with the number of prior antiretroviral therapy schedules and with the pre-vaccination viral load, but with no other clinical features or laboratory tests. Patients with adequate vaccinal response tended to be younger. Side effects occurred in 16.3% and 44% of the HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected groups, respectively. In conclusion, the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine proved to be safe and effective in HIV-infected adolescents and young adults, although their antibody response was weaker than that of HIV-uninfected patients. These results suggest that the immunization schedule for HIV-infected patients should be re-evaluated, in order to assure more effective protection against the meningococcal disease in this population

As the burden of HIV and AIDS ncreases in different communities of the world today, new organizations are being formed to help mitigate its impact. The current study assessed whether Christian fa th-based organizations (FBOs) were making any contribution to mitigate the impact HIV and AIDS in Pietermaritzburg area using a case study of the ESSA Christi AIDS Programme (ECAP). ECAP has been involved in training churches in HI and AIDS awareness, home-based and orphan care, assisting churches to initiate c urch-related projects, and facilitating the Church and AIDS course to the theology s udents at the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa (ESSA). The population of this study comp ised twenty (20) ESSA graduates who took the HIV and AIDS course between 19 9 and 2000. The self-administered questionnaire was sent to all twenty to assess hether they experienced any change in their thinking, attitude and behaviour to'jards people with AIDS as a result of taking the Church and AIDS course, and wHat HIV and AIDS-related activities they were involved in. An interview schedule with two phases, was used to collect data. The first phase elicited data from six (6) ECAP stakeholders to establish a brief historical background of ECAP. The second hase elicited data from ten (l0) church ministers in whose churches ECAP conduc ed its training to assess whether the ECAP's training programmes made any di erence in their attitude and behaviour towards people with AIDS, and what HIV a AIDS projects they started as a result of getting being trained. Although the study could not ge eralize the results because of the case study methodology, the results showed th t ECAP was making significant contribution to the fight against AIDS epidemic no only in the communities of Pietermaritzburg but also in other countries where the EISA graduates were working. However, lack of enough human and financial resour es is affecting ECAP's efficiency. Based on the findings in this study, recommen tions have been made to ECAP's method of recruiting churches for training, enues for training and its approach to HIV prevention methods. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mineworkers in South Africa are in abundance as mining is the main occupation especially in the former black homeland. These mineworkers retrenched or retire, and returned to their homeland. Transkei is a former black homeland where abundant retired mineworkers reside to their destiny. Migrancy, which for century has been such a conspicuous feature of the South African labour system, and thought to be a significant contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS (Lurie M, 2000). The migrant labour system in Transkei region was attributed very extensively to contagious disease especially related with sexually transmitted diseases (STI) like HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that 2 million of the 5 million black mineworkers in South Africa at the time were migrant labourers. Majority of them are from the Transkei region. The ex-mineworkers in this study group are between 41 and 78 years of age (mean 55 years). They have serviced in the mines from 5 to 48 years (mean 20 years). All are married, and having children between 1 and 10 ((mean 6). Fifty seven percent ex-mineworkers did not answer about their number of sexpartners. Only 43% mentioned that they have one partner. Only 31% mineworkers were consuming alcohol. Of them 9% were consuming everyday, and 18% twice in a week. In this study, HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of exmineworkers, living in the remote rural areas of Transkei region of Eastern Cape, were elicited by sending questionnaires to them. Only 19.9% have replied back. There is absolute lack of knowledge in 13.6%, and negative attitude in 27% of the ex-mineworkers. Risks of unsafe sex have been observed among 69%. Of them, 48% have mentioned that they have trust in their wives. Urinary tract symptoms were indicated by 18%, and HIV positivity was reported by 4.5% of mineworkers. There is suicidal tendency (life is not worth living) was found in 22.7% of ex-mineworkers, and a majority (16%) mentioned that it is related with their sickness. Majority of ex-mineworkers have good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and positive attitude for the survivals. They have also been practicing sex without condoms, but they have provided reasoning to be a faithful to their partners. There is a high level of awareness and a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS individuals. It was observed that there is less risk taking sexual behaviour among exmineworkers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Groot gedeelte van Suid-Afrikaanse mynwerkers is uit die Transkei gebied afkomstig. Daar word konserwatief beraam dat tussen twee en vyf miljoen mynwerkers jaarliks tussen hulle werkplek en die myne migreer en dat hierdie migrasie ingrypende inplikasies vir die verspreiding van die MI-virus het. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die kennis, houding en gedrag van mynwerkers ten opsigte van MIV/Vigs by 'n steekproef van 198 voormalige mynwerkers in die Transkei te toets. Die inligting is deur middel van 'n vraelys en onderhoude gedoen en daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die kennis van Vigs en die voorkoming daarvan besonder goed is by hierdie steekproef. Die implikasies van die bevindinge van die studie word uitgespel en voorstelle vir verdere studies word aan die hand gedoen.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to explore the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among Congolese refugees living in Cape Town in order to create awareness and suggest possible measures to avert the spread of the pandemic among them. The target population are Congolese refugees living in Cape Town, with a refugee or an asylum seeker status. Due to the total population and difficulties in contacting them, the participants (50) were randomly selected among traders and hair dressers. The study used a quantitative research design. The Desk Top Market train station in Cape Town is an open market place where most Congolese traders sell their goods to the public. The data were collected at this market area in Cape Town using a questionnaire. To avoid any possible discrimination or stigmatisation resulting from being identified as a refugee in the study, the Congolese were contacted from the market place without screening them on the basis of their status. The participants were, however, required to tick their status in a box provided on the questionnaire. Furthermore, strict confidentiality was maintained to avoid the possible stigmatisation arising from the Congolese traders’ refugee status. According to the findings Congolese refugees have knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the route of transmission. The majority knows how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS but it seems this protection discontinue shortly after a quick trust between them and their partners. It is may be because most refugees are in need of financial protection on their arrival so they do not have any other choice than to let it go. During the process of data collection there was an opportunity to discuss with some of them protection and most of them stated that condom use is not safe as condoms breaks often. Many Congolese do not believe in male circumcision for the reduction of risk because 100% of them are circumcised and some still have contracted HIV/AIDS. Some of Congolese does believe HIV can be cured because they have seen people who were cured through prayers. The findings also indicate the level of awareness is very low in this community because they still believe they can just by looking at other individuals they can detect if someone is HIV positive or not. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was daarop toegespits om die bestaande kennis, houdings en praktyke met betrekking tot MIV/vigs onder Kongolese vlugtelinge in Kaapstad te ondersoek ten einde bewustheid te wek en moontlike maatreëls voor te stel om te keer dat die pandemie onder hulle versprei. Die teikenpopulasie was Kongolese wat in Kaapstad woon en oor vlugteling- of asielsoekerstatus beskik. Weens die groot omvang van die ondersoekpopulasie en uitdagings om met hulle in verbinding te tree, het die navorser lukraak vyftig (50) deelnemers uit die geledere van handelaars en haarkappers gekies. Die data is met behulp van ’n vraelys by die Desk Top-mark op Kaapstad-stasie ingesamel. Die studie het van ’n kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak. Die Desk Top-mark by Kaapstad-stasie is ’n buitelugmark waar die meeste Kongolese handelaars hul goedere aan die publiek verkoop. Om te voorkom dat enigeen wat in die studie as ’n vlugteling geïdentifiseer word enige moontlike diskriminasie of stigma ervaar, het die navorser voor die voet onderhoude met Kongolese by die mark gevoer sonder om hulle na hul verblyfstatus uit te vra. Die deelnemers moes egter hul status op die vraelys aandui deur die toepaslike blokkie te merk. Voorts is streng vertroulikheid gehandhaaf om enige moontlike stigma vanweë die respondente se vlugtelingstatus te voorkom. Die bevindinge toon dat Kongolese vlugtelinge wél oor ’n mate van kennis van MIV/vigs en die verspreiding daarvan beskik. Die meeste respondente weet hoe om hulself teen MIV/vigs te beskerm, hoewel daardie beskerming oënskynlik gestaak word kort nadat hulle ’n vertrouensverhouding met hul bedmaats ontwikkel. Dít kan daaraan toegeskryf word dat die meeste vlugtelinge met hul aankoms in die land finansiële beskerming nodig het en dus nie anders kan as om veilige sekspraktyke te laat vaar indien hul bedmaats daarop aandring nie. Gedurende die proses van data-insameling was daar geleentheid vir gesprek met die respondente, waaruit geblyk het dat kondoomgebruik na hulle mening nie juis veilig is nie, aangesien kondome dikwels breek. Min Kongolese glo dat manlike besnydenis die gevaar van MIV/vigs verminder, aangesien hulle almal besny is, maar sommige steeds MIV/vigs opdoen. Sommige glo dat MIV/vigs genees kan word, omdat hulle getuies was van hoe mense deur gebed gesond geword het. Die bevindinge dui ook op ’n baie lae bewustheidsvlak in hierdie gemeenskap: Baie glo steeds dat ’n mens met die blote oog kan bepaal of iemand MIV-positief is of nie.

In the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Positive Prevention: HIV/STD Prevention Education for California Schools Grades 7-12, Second Edition (Positive Prevention) by Clark & Ridley (2000) is used as the curriculum for ninth grade. In evaluating the curriculum, it is of key importance to first determine if this curriculum is being taught as it was designed, or with fidelity. Fidelity is affected by the comfort, confidence, competence and commitment of the personnel presenting the curriculum.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Shelby County has the fastest growing rate of HIV infection in the State of Tennessee and the majority of the people with HIV/AIDS are African Americans. 2011 CDC report stated Memphis had the fifth highest proportion of new HIV infections. The African American church is a natural and potentially powerful venue to facilitate health awareness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the views of African American faith-based leaders (FBLs) toward offering HIV prevention services in faith-based organizations (FBOs). The theoretical framework for this study was the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The fourth domain of CFIR, characteristics of the individuals, is concerned with organizational change which occurs on the individual level. CFIR provided a means to ensure effective implementations, data coding and analysis. Interpretative Descriptive (ID) design, which seeks to discover associations, relationships, and patterns within the described phenomenon, was used. The targeted population was African American Faith-based Leaders from areas known to have high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Purposeful sampling was employed to recruit participants. Data was generated through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. The researchers categorized and analyzed the data to form the concepts and themes identified using a coding scheme which was applied to all data. Faith-based leaders revealed that they had a role in HIV prevention. The themes that emerged were their role to provide education on HIV, minister with compassion, teach Biblical doctrine, maintain a community focus, and partner with expert healthcare professionals. Perceived barrier concepts identified were lack of knowledge, denial, stigma, fear, keeping issues private, and the breakdown of family and community values. Findings suggest that FBLs had some knowledge of the health disparities and ongoing stigma concerning HIV remains a major barrier. The participants interviewed were open to HIV preventions on different levels to address HIV but needed more education.

Antiretroviral therapy is an important public health strategy to reduce the risk of HIV vertical transmission. Implementation of such therapy depends on the identification of HIV-infected pregnant women. This study investigated how the biographical characteristics of the pregnant women (16-45 years) influenced their health decision-making in Bulawayo clinics. The study was guided by the theories of health behaviour. The study assumed that the respondents’ demographic characteristics will influence their attitudes towards PMTCT programme. Using a structured questionnaire, forty pregnant women who visited the Bulawayo clinics to have prenatal checkups were interviewed. The majority of respondents came from a poor, high-density township. Most of the respondents were married, but about a third were not married at the time data collection and 5% were separated. The survey items were demographic characteristics, knowledge of PMTCT, HIV risk perceptions and service utilisation. The levels of literacy among the respondents were high; more than 80% had completed primary education. Overall the respondents’ demographic characteristics influenced their attitudes towards PMTCT. Majority of the women knew that a mother with HIV can pass the virus to her child, during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. The pregnant women’s health-seeking behaviour and their attitudes toward reproductive health services are influenced by their demographic situation. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Social Behavior Studies in HIV/AIDS))

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Antiretroviral therapy is an important public health strategy to reduce the risk of HIV vertical transmission. Implementation of such therapy depends on the identification of HIV-infected pregnant women. This study investigated how the biographical characteristics of the pregnant women (16-45 years) influenced their health decision-making in Bulawayo clinics. The study was guided by the theories of health behaviour. The study assumed that the respondents’ demographic characteristics will influence their attitudes towards PMTCT programme. Using a structured questionnaire, forty pregnant women who visited the Bulawayo clinics to have prenatal checkups were interviewed. The majority of respondents came from a poor, high-density township. Most of the respondents were married, but about a third were not married at the time data collection and 5% were separated. The survey items were demographic characteristics, knowledge of PMTCT, HIV risk perceptions and service utilisation. The levels of literacy among the respondents were high; more than 80% had completed primary education. Overall the respondents’ demographic characteristics influenced their attitudes towards PMTCT. Majority of the women knew that a mother with HIV can pass the virus to her child, during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. The pregnant women’s health-seeking behaviour and their attitudes toward reproductive health services are influenced by their demographic situation. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Social Behavior Studies in HIV/AIDS))