A Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (aids) configura-se como um dos grandes fenômenos da saúde pública na atualidade. Considerada como uma condição crônica manejável e controlável, porém não curável, torna-se necessário pensar em mecanismos que possibilitem minimizar os episódios de agudização e instabilidade das condições clínicas e de saúde. Esse estudo objetivou analisar as condições clínicas das pessoas que viviam com aids em acompanhamento nos serviços de assistência especializada (SAE) em HIV/aids do município de Ribeirão Preto-SP. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo inquérito exploratório. A população do estudo constituiu-se pelas pessoas que viviam com aids (PVHA) em acompanhamento nos cinco SAE da rede pública municipal, no período de julho/2011 a fevereiro/2012, que atendiam aos seguintes critérios de inclusão: idade igual/superior a 18 anos, residentes no município e não pertencentes ao sistema prisional. Foram realizadas entrevistas com apoio de um questionário estruturado. Utilizaram-se fontes primárias e secundárias de informação. Os dados coletados foram digitados, armazenados e analisados por meio do programa Statistica, versão 9.0 da Statsoft. Os indivíduos foram caracterizados em relação ao perfil sociodemográfico e clínico, a partir de técnicas estatísticas descritivas. A seguir, os mesmos foram classificados em quatro grupos específicos, organizados a partir da articulação dos seguintes indicadores: marcadores do HIV/aids (carga viral e doenças oportunistas), situação imunológica (contagem de linfócitos T-CD4+) e a presença de outras condições crônicas. Utilizou-se teste qui-quadrado de proporção para identificar associação entre os grupos formados e as variáveis do perfil sociodemográfico. Foram entrevistadas 301 PVHA. Identificou-se paridade na proporção homens/mulheres, predomínio da faixa etária entre 40 e 64 anos, ensino fundamental incompleto, indivíduos solteiros/divorciados ou viúvos, classe econômica C, empregados/autônomos/afastados e que possuíam moradia própria. Quanto às condições clínicas no momento da entrevista, importante parcela possuía linfócitos T-CD4+ superiores a 500 células (61,5%), carga viral indetectável, ausência de doenças oportunistas e manifestações clínicas. Identificou-se elevado percentual de outras condições crônicas, com destaque para a hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Em relação à constituição dos grupos, mais da metade das PVHA foram classificadas como instáveis. Ao se analisar tais grupos, considerando as variáveis sociodemográficas, houve associação estatística significativa apenas no que se refere à ocupação. Urge a necessidade de delineamento e operacionalização de tecnologias capazes de ampliar a percepção acerca das necessidades e demandas dos das PVHA, oferecendo novas oportunidades para se refletir sobre a organização dos serviços e das práticas de saúde no controle do HIV/aids / The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is characterized as one of the greatest phenomena of public health today. It is considered a manageable and controllable chronic condition, but without possibilities of cure. For its care one need to consider mechanisms that allow the decrease of instability episodes and the worsening of clinical conditions and health status. This study aimed to analyze the clinical conditions among people living with aids in follow-up at the HIV/AIDS specialized assistance services (SAS) in Ribeirão Preto-SP. This is a descriptive and exploratory survey. The study population was composed by people living with AIDS (PLWHA) in follow-up at five local SAS during the period of July/2011 up to February/2012, who met the following inclusion criteria: aged above 18 years old, living in the city and outside the prison system. Interviews were conducted by using a structured questionnaire. We used primary and secondary sources of information. The collected data were entered, stored and analyzed using the Statistica software, version 9.0 from Statsoft. Individuals were characterized in relation to sociodemographic and clinical profile by applying descriptive statistics techniques. They were then classified into four specific groups, classified through the following indicators: HIV/aids markers (viral load and opportunistic infections), immune status (CD4+ T cell count) and the presence of other chronic conditions. We used chi- square ratio test for identifying association between these groups and the sociodemographic variables. A total of 301 PLWHA were interviewed. We identified male/female ratio parity, and the predominant characteristics: age between 40 and 64 years old, incomplete primary education, single/divorced or widowed individuals, economic class C, employed/autonomous/retired and owning their own house. As for the clinical conditions at the time of interview, a significant amount of interviewees presented CD4+T-cells count over 500 (61,5%), undetectable viral load, clinical manifestations and absence of opportunistic diseases. We identified a high percentage of other chronic conditions, especially hypertension. Regarding the formation of groups, more than half of PLWHA were classified as unstable. A statistically significant association only with regard to the occupation was found when analyzing such groups and considering sociodemographic variables. There is an urgent need to design and operate technologies that expand the perception of PLHA demands, offering new opportunities to reflect on the organization of services and health practices in the control of HIV/aids

Introdução e Objetivos: Hipovitaminose D, definida como nível sérico de 25(OH)D insuficiente é considerada pandêmica em muitas populações ao redor do mundo e está associada a comorbidades em hepatite C, infecção por HIV e coinfecção HIV/HCV. Os objetivos deste estudo são: 1) comparar a prevalência de deficiência de vitamina D (DVD) caracterizada por nível sérico de 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, entre pacientes monoinfectados pelo HCV, monoinfectados pelo HIV, coinfectados HIV/HCV e participantes do grupocontrole; 2) identificar fatores de risco específicos associados com DVD na população estudada. Pacientes e Métodos: Foram coletados dados clínicos e demográficos, 25(OH)D sérica, testes de função hepática e perfil metabólico durante os meses de inverno de 129 pacientes HCV monoinfectados, 118 pacientes HIV monoinfectados e 53 pacientes coinfectados HIV/HCV tratados em centros de referência na cidade de São Paulo, bem como, em 122 indivíduos saudáveis de um grupo-controle formado de pessoas não infectadas por HIV, HCV ou HBV, sem uso de suplementos de vitamina D. Resultados: A prevalência de deficiência de vitamina D ajustada por sexo, idade ( = 50), cor de pele (branco vs não branco), índice de massa corporal ( = 25), colesterol total (= 200), fração HDL colesterol ( = 40 em homens = 50 em mulheres), triglicérides (= 150), glicemia ( = 110), uso de efavirenz (sim vs não), uso de tenofovir (sim vs não) e índice HOMA-IR, foi menor no grupo HCV do que no controle e no grupo HIV (p < 0.001). Em todos os grupos, a razão de chance de DVD aumenta 1.21 [IC95%(1.01; 1.44) p=0.026] para cada ponto de aumento do índice HOMA. Efavirenz também esteve associado com maior razão de chance de DVD [3.49(IC95% 1.14-10.67) p=0.028]. Análise por regressão logística simples foi aplicada para avaliar fatores de risco associados a DVD dentro de cada grupo. Nesta análise, resultaram com associação significativa o sexo masculino, com uma menor razão de chance para DVD [RC 0,42(IC95% 0,18 - 0,96) p = 0,04] no grupo-controle e no grupo HCV [RC 0,42(IC95% 0,2 - 0,88) p = 0,02]; ainda no grupo HCV houve associação significativa entre DVD e HOMA-IR elevado [RC 5,59(IC 95% 1,37 - 22,8) p = 0,02]; e, no grupo HIV, os indivíduos que apresentaram nadir histórico de CD4 maior que 200 células/mm3 tiveram menos chance de DVD [RC 0,41 (IC95% 0,18 - 0,95) p = 0,04]. Conclusão: Uma alta prevalência de DVD foi observada em toda a população estudada, incluindo o grupo-controle, sugerindo que a apresentação de infecção por HIV e/ou HCV por si só não aumenta as chances de DVD. Por outro lado, o incremento do índice HOMA e o uso de efavirenz se destacaram como fatores de risco nesta população. Estes achados ressaltam a importância da associação da deficiência de vitamina D com outras duas condições; a resistência à insulina e o uso de terapia antirretroviral para o HIV, os quais, isoladamente ou em combinação, podem aumentar a incidência de comorbidades como o diabetes do tipo 2 / Background and Aims: Hypovitaminosis D, defined as insufficient serum level of 25(OH)D, is considered pandemic in many populations worldwide and is associated with co-morbidities in hepatitis C, HIV and HIV/HCV co-infection. The aim of this study is to 1) compare the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (VDD), defined as serum levels of 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, among HCV mono-infected, HIV mono-infected, HIV/HCV co-infected patients and control participants and 2) identify specific risk factors associated with VDD in each group. Patients and Methods: We collected demographic and clinical data, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, liver function parameters and metabolic profiles on 129 HCV mono-infected, 118 HIV mono-infected and 53 HIV/HCV co-infected patients treated at reference centers in São Paulo (Brazil) as well as on 122 volunteer controls, not infected by HIV, HCV, HBV or taking vitamin D supplements. Results: VDD prevalence adjusted for sex, age ( = 50), skin color (white vs not white), body mass index ( = 25), total cholesterol (= 200), HDL cholesterol ( = 40 in men and = 50 in women), triglycerides ( = 150), glycemia ( = 110), use of Efavirenz - EFV (yes vs no), use of Tenofovir -TDV (yes vs no) and HOMA-IR was lower in HCV group than control and HIV groups (p < 0.001). In all groups, adjusted odds of VDD increases by 1.21 [CI95% (1.01-1.44)] for each unit increase of HOMA-IR. Antirretroviral therapy regimens containing efavirenz were also associated to higher odds of VDD 3.49 [CI95% (1.14-10.67) p=0.028]. Logistic regression was applied to analyze risk factors associated to VDD within each group. In this analysis male sex resulted significantly associated to lower chance of VDD [OR 0,42(CI95% 0,18 - 0,96) p = 0,04] in control group and in HCV group [RC 0,42(CI95% 0,2 - 0,88) p = 0,02]; still in HCV group, elevated HOMA-IR was significantly associated to VDD [OR 5,59(CI 95% 1,37 - 22,8) p = 0,02]; and in HIV group, individuals presenting CD4 nadir higher than 200 cells/mm3 had less chance of VDD [OR 0,41 (IC95% 0,18 - 0,95) p = 0,04]. Conclusion: High prevalence of VDD was observed across all studied population, including control group, suggesting that being infected with HIV and/or HCV per se does not increase the chance of VDD. Otherwise, VDD was positively associated with HOMA-IR increase for controls and infected patients. It is also associated to use of Efavirenz in HIV/HCV patients. This finding highlights the relevance of vitamin D deficiency association with two other conditions; insulin resistance and antiretroviral therapy, which isolated or in combination, may contribute to the incidence of comorbidities, as Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Analisar a ocorrência de coinfecção por TB/HIV/aids, os desfechos internação e mortalidade e seus fatores de risco nos casos notificados por TB/HIV/aids, no município de Poro Alegre. Foram estudados casos de coinfecção no período de 2009 a 2013. Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectivo, utilizando-se como fonte de informação as bases de dados do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação, Sistema de Informação Hospitalar e Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis ano, idade, escolaridade, raça/cor, Gerência Distrital, situação de entrada e encerramento, indicação e realização de tratamento supervisionado e agravos que poderiam estar associadas aos desfechos internação e mortalidade por coinfecção TB/HIV/aids. Utilizou-se análise de regressão logística uni e multivariada para estimar as medidas de associação, considerando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Modelo de regressão de Poisson foi utilizado como variável resposta para o desfecho por número de internações e número de mortes, considerando o ano como variável explicativa. Foram encontrados 2419 casos de coinfecção por TB/HIV/aids com taxa média de prevalência, mortalidade e internação de 34,10/100.000, 9,36/100.000, 53,83/100.000 habitantes, respectivamente. Entre as gerências distritais, a Partenon e Lomba do Pinheiro é a que concentra as taxas mais elevadas de prevalência, internação e mortalidade. Os casos de coinfecção eram na maioria do sexo masculino, com baixa escolaridade e predomínio na população não branca. Permaneceram no modelo multivariável para o desfecho internação as variáveis: escolaridade (p<0,001), cuja menor escolaridade apresentou o maior risco; entrada (p= 0,021) cujo reingresso após abandono apresentou 1,30 vezes mais risco de internação; encerramento (p<0,001), cujas categorias abandono, óbito e Tuberculose Multirresistente apresentaram associação positiva com o desfecho, juntamente com a variável gerência distrital (p<0,001) com maior risco para duas gerências. Permaneceram no modelo multivariável para o desfecho mortalidade as variáveis: idade (p<0,001), indicação Tratamento Supervisionado (p<0,001), escolaridade (p=0,001), cuja categoria até 7 anos apresentou um risco de 2,80 de ocorrência do óbito; e entrada (p= 0,010), cuja categoria reingresso após abandono apresentou um risco de 1,41 vezes maior do que a categoria cura para mortalidade. A regressão de Poisson demonstrou tendência no aumento da ocorrência de internação de 11,9% a cada ano. A identificação de fatores preditores à internação e óbito pode aumentar o nível de alerta das equipes ao tratarem indivíduos coinfectados por TB/HIV/aids, visando diminuir a ocorrência destes desfechos. A taxa de internação também parece ser um indicador para acompanhar a morbimortalidade e direcionar as ações dos profissionais e serviços de saúde, visando melhorar a adesão ao tratamento, evitando assim a ocorrência da tanto de internação quanto do óbito. / To analyze the occurrence of co-infection TB/HIV/aids the outcomes of admission and mortality and their risk factors in the notified TB/HIV/aids cases in the municipality of Porto Alegre. The study comprised co-infection cases dated from 2009 to 2013. A study of retrospective cohort was made by utilizing as information source the National System of Notifiable Diseases, Hospital Information System and Mortality Information System data bases. The following variables have been analyzed: year, age, education, race/color, District Management, entry and closing situation, Supervised Treatment indication and performance and damages that could be associated to the outcomes of admission and mortality due to TB/HIV/aids coinfection. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis have been applied in order to estimate the association measures, by considering the significance level of 5%. The model of Poisson regression has been utilized as the variable response for the outcome per number of admissions and number of deaths, by considering the year as an explicative variable. A total of 2,419 TB/HIV/aids cases were found with mean rate of prevalence, mortality, admission of 34,10/100.000, 9,36/100.000, 53,83/100.000 inhabitants respectively. Among the district, the Partenon e Lomba do Pinheiro is the one that concentrates the highest rates of prevalence, admission and mortality. The coinfection cases were mostly of masculine sex with low education level and predominance within the non-white population. The following variables remained in the multivariable model for the admission outcome: education (p<0,001) whose lowest school level presented the highest risk; entry (p= 0,021) whose reentrance after abandonment presented 1.30 times higher risk of admission; closing (p<0,001) whose categories abandonment, death and Multiresistant Tuberculosis showed positive connection with the outcome together with the district variable (p<0,001) with higher risk for two managements. The following variables remained in the multivariable model for the mortality outcome: age (p<0,001), Supervised Treatment indication (p<0,001), education level (p=0,001) whose category up to 7 years showed a risk of 2.80 occurrence of death; and, entry (p= 0,010) whose category re-entrance after abandonment showed a risk 1.41 times higher than the category cure for mortality. The regression of Poisson demonstrated a trend in the increase of the admission occurrence at the rate of 11.9% each year. The identification of factors that predict admission and death may increase the alert level of the staff upon taking care of subjects coinfected by TB/HIV/aids aiming at diminishing the occurrence of these outcomes. The admission rate also seems to be an indicator to follow up morbimortality and to guide staff actions and health services with the purpose of improving the adhesion to the treatment and thus avoiding the occurrence of admission and death as well. / Analizar la ocurrencia de coinfección por TB/HIV/aids, los desenlaces internación y mortalidad y sus factores de riesgo en los casos notificados por TB/HIV/aids, en la municipalidad de Porto Alegre. Se han estudiado casos de coinfección en el período de 2009 a 2013. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, utilizándose como fuente de información las bases de datos del Sistema Nacional de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria, sistema de información hospitalaria y Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: año, edad, escolaridad, raza/color, distrito, situación de entrada y cierre, indicación y realización de Tratamiento Supervisado y agravios que podrían estar asociadas a los desenlaces internación y mortalidad por coinfección TB/HIV/aids. Se utilizó el análisis de regresión logística uni y multivariante para estimar las medidas de asociación, considerándose el nivel de significancia de 5%. El modelo de regresión de Poisson se ha utilizado como variable de respuesta para el desenlace por número de internaciones y número de muertes, considerando el año como variable explicativa. Se han encontrado 2419 casos de coinfección por TB/HIV/aids con tasa media de prevalencia, mortalidad e internación de 34.10/100.000, 9.36/100.000, 53.83/100.000 habitantes, respectivamente. Entre los distrito, la Partenon e Lomba do Pinheiro es la que concentra las tasas más altas de prevalencia, internación y mortalidad. Los casos de coinfección eran en su mayoría del sexo masculino, con baja escolaridad y predominio en la población no blanca. Permanecieron en el modelo multivariante para el desenlace internación las variables: escolaridad (p<0,001), cuya menor escolaridad presentó el mayor riesgo; entrada (p= 0,021) cuyo reingreso tras abandono presentó 1.30 veces más riesgo de internación; cierre (p<0,001), cuyas categorías abandono, óbito y Tuberculosis Multirresistente presentaron asociación positiva con el desenlace, juntamente con la variable distrito (p<0,001) con mayor riesgo para dos gerencias. Permanecieron en el modelo multivariante para el desenlace mortalidad, las variables: edad (p<0,001), indicación Tratamiento Supervisado (p<0,001), escolaridad (p=0,001), cuya categoría hasta 7 años presentó un riesgo de 2.80 de ocurrencia de óbito; y, entrada (p= 0,010), cuya categoría reingreso tras abandono presentó un riesgo de 1.41 veces mayor que la categoría cura para mortalidad. La regresión de Poisson demostró tendencia en el aumento de la ocurrencia de internación de 11.9% a cada año. La identificación de factores predictores de internación y óbito puede aumentar el nivel de alerta de los equipos al tratar a individuos coinfectados por TB/HIV/aids, buscando disminuir la ocurrencia de estos desenlaces. La tasa de internación también parece ser un indicador para acompañar la morbimortalidad y direccionar las acciones de los profesionales y servicios de salud, con vistas a mejorar la adhesión al tratamiento y, así, evitar la ocurrencia tanto de internación cuanto de óbito.

Introdução: O Protocol Aids Clinical Trial Group (PACTG 076), publicado em 1994, demonstrou que a utilização da zidovudina (ZDV) reduzia a taxa de transmissão materno-infantil do HIV (TMI HIV) de 25% para 8,3%. Atualmente a terapia antirretroviral (TARV) combinada associada a uma série de medidas pode reduzir a taxa de TMI HIV para menos de 2%. Embora o Ministério da Saúde preconize a adoção destas medidas, a TMI HIV ainda permanece acima dos níveis desejados, principalmente em nosso meio. De acordo com levantamento da Vigilância Epidemiológica do Município de Porto Alegre, no ano de 2012 a taxa TMI HIV foi de 2,9%. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores que interferem na TMI HIV em um Hospital Universitário do Município de Porto Alegre/RS. Método: Trata-se de um estudo de coorte histórico, tendo como amostra 292 bebês nascidos de mulheres portadoras do HIV, cujos nascimentos ocorreram no Centro Obstétrico de um Hospital Universitário do Município de Porto Alegre/RS, entre 1º de janeiro de 2010 a 31 de dezembro de 2014. Resultados: Dos 292 bebês, cujas mães eram portadoras do HIV, 3,8% (n=11) foram contaminados. Destes 90,9% (n=10) nasceram por cesariana; 90,9% (n=10) tinham d37 semanas; 54,6% (n=6) receberam ZDV xarope isoladamente e 45,4% (n=5) receberam ZDV + nevirapina (NVP). Quatro gestantes cujos bebês foram contaminados apresentaram sífilis na gestação (36,4%). A má adesão a TARV (p<0,003), a carga viral d1.000 cópias/mL ou ignorada no 3º trimestre (p<0,001) e o CD4 <500 células/mm3 (p<0,046) no terceiro trimestre foram significativamente associados a maior TMI HIV. Conclusão: Os fatores associados significativamente a TMI HIV foram à má adesão a TARV, a presença de sífilis na gestação, a carga viral d1000 cópias e o CD4 <500 células/mm³ no terceiro trimestre. / Introduction: Protocol Aids Clinical Trial Group (PACTG 076), published in 1994, demonstrated that the use of zidovudine (ZDV) had reduced the rate of mother-tochild transmission (MTCT) of HIV from 25% to 8.3%. Currently, a combined antiretroviral therapy (HAART) associated with a number of measures can reduce the rate of MTCT to less than 2%. Although the Ministry of Health recommends the adoption of these measures, the MTCT still remains above desired levels, especially in our center. According to a survey of Epidemiological Surveillance of Porto Alegre, in 2012 the rate of MTCT was 2.9%. Objective: To evaluate the factors that interfere with MTCT from HIV-positive women who gave birth in a University Hospital of Porto Alegre/RS. Method: A historical cohort study, with a sample 292 babies from HIV infected mother whose delivery occurred at Obstetric Center of the University Hospital of Porto Alegre/RS, at period of January 2010 till December 2014. Results: Of 292 babies of women HIV positive, 3.8% (n=11) were infected. Of those 90.9% (n=10) was born by cesarean section; 90.9% (n=10) had d37 weeks; 54.6% (n=6) received only ZDV syrup and 45.4% (n=5) received ZDV+nevirapine (NVP). Four pregnant women whose babies were infected, mother had syphilis during pregnancy (36.4%). Poor adherence to HAART (p<0.003), viral load d1000 copies/mL or ignored in the third trimester (p<0.001) and CD4 <500 cells/mm3 (p<0.046) in the third trimester were significantly associated with higher MTCT. Conclusion: We conclude that the presence of syphilis in pregnancy, viral load d1000 copies/mL or ignored in the third trimester, the CD4 <500 cells/mm³ in the third trimester, poor adherence to HAART were significant factors for MTCT.

A intensificação do debate sobre a epidemia de DST/aids na população negra, trazida por entidades da sociedade civil na última década, aparece na esteira da recente sistematização de políticas voltadas para a saúde desta população. O objetivo do presente estudo foi conhecer a avaliação que o movimento social negro do ABC paulista tem sobre as condições de vulnerabilidade em relação às DST/aids vividas pelos cidadãos negros da região. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, construído com base em entrevistas individuais em profundidade com lideranças diversas deste movimento. A representatividade dos entrevistados foi ancorada no conceito de Luta por Reconhecimento e a estrutura das entrevistas foi organizada a partir do conceito teórico orientador de todo o trabalho que é o conceito de Vulnerabilidade. A construção e interpretação das entrevistas foram apoiadas em uma concepção de linguagem entendida como desveladora de processos de interação a partir do cotejo de duas tradições filosóficas principais: o materialismo histórico dialético e a hermenêutica. As avaliações dos entrevistados sobre as três dimensões de vulnerabilidades vivenciadas pelos negros em relação às DST/aids, produziram um quadro no qual diversas situações cotidianas são relatadas e discutidas. No plano institucional, três grupos centrais de problemas foram levantados: as condições de atendimento nos serviços de saúde; a atuação do Estado sobre as condições de iniquidade e a relação do Estado com o movimento social. Em relação às vulnerabilidades sociais, foram destacadas as desigualdades sócio-econômicas entre negros e não-negros e suas consequências, que incluem a persistência de baixa escolaridade, precarização das moradias, fixação da população negra para a periferia das áreas urbanas, barreiras à ascensão social, desigualdades sociais em saúde e a persistência da discriminação racial nas relações sociais. Em relação às vulnerabilidades individuais, os entrevistados relataram algumas de suas vivências pessoais e familiares em que sobressaem os sentimentos de insegurança e desrespeito trazidos pela tensão da discriminação racial, o que tem implicações não apenas morais, mas manifesta-se também no modo como os sujeitos vivenciam, apreendem e lidam com os aspectos dos demais planos de vulnerabilidade, acima citados. Os entrevistados apontaram, ainda, alternativas de reconstrução prática com potencial de redução do impacto da vulnerabilidade para a aids entre os brasileiros negros / The intensified discussion about the STD/AIDS epidemic among black population, brought about by civil society organizations in the last decade, appears in the wake of recent policies aimed at health of this population. The objective of this study was to explore the assessment that the black social movement in the ABC region (State of SP) make about vulnerability conditions regarding STD/AIDS experienced by black citizens from the region. This is a qualitative study, built on individual in-depth interviews with several leaders of this movement. Representativeness of respondents was based on the concept of \"Struggle for Recognition\", and the structure of the interviews on the theoretical concept of Vulnerability that guided the whole work. The structure and interpretation of interviews were backed by designing a language understood as unfolding processes of interaction based on confrontation of two major philosophical traditions: historical dialectical materialism and hermeneutics. The evaluations of the respondents about the three dimensions of vulnerability experienced by brazilian blacks in relation to STD/AIDS, resulted in a framework in which many daily situations are reported and discussed. At institutional level, three core groups of issues were raised: the conditions of care in health services, State action concerning inequity conditions and the relation between the State and social movements. As to social vulnerabilities, socioeconomic inequalities and their consequences were highlighted between blacks and non-blacks, including persistence of low schooling, precarious housing, setting the black population in the periphery of urban areas, barriers to social mobility, health inequalities and persistence of racial discrimination in social relations. In relation to individual vulnerabilities, respondents reported some of their personal and family experiences that stress feelings of lack of confidence and disrespect due to tension resulting from racial discrimination, which has moral implications and also manifests in how the subjects experience, perceive and deal with vulnerability aspects at other levels, as mentioned above. Yet, the interviewees pointed out practical reconstruction alternatives with potential to reduce the impact of vulnerability to AIDS among black Brazilians

Trata-se de um estudo transversal, analítico, com objetivo de descrever e caracterizar as variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas, afetivo-sexuais, de gerenciamento de risco de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids, caracterizar as ações educativas oferecidas no serviço de saúde dessas pessoas, analisar os fatores sociodemográficos, clínicos, afetivo-sexuais e a utilização das estratégias de gerenciamento de risco de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids e sua associação com sorologia do parceiro sexual em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids. A coleta de dados foi realizada em um Serviços de Atendimento Especializado (SAE) do município de Teresina, de novembro de 2016 a março de 2017. Foram incluídos indivíduo com idade >= a 18 anos; que estivesse em um relacionamento fixo ou casual mantendo relação sexual e com resultado de exame sorológico reagente para HIV e excluídos gestantes e pacientes em situação de privação de liberdade e aqueles que obtinham acesso aos medicamentos antirretrovirais pelo programa, mas com acompanhamento em serviço privado. Uma amostra não probabilística foi formada por 173 indivíduos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais, em sala privativa. Utilizou-se instrumento de caracterização para avaliação socioeconômica, demográfica, clínica, afetivo-sexuais, de gerenciamento de risco e as ações educativas oferecidas pelos serviços de atendimento especializado construído para estudo. O projeto foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética sob protocolo nº CAAE 59293316.6.0000.5393/2016. Entre as parcerias sexuais identificou-se um perfil de pacientes sorodiscordantes em sua maioria do sexo masculino, adultos, jovens, procedentes de Teresina, com ensino médio completo, pardos, com renda de até três salários mínimos, residindo com 1 a 2 pessoas no domicílio, entre as variáveis clinicas as parcerias sexuais sorodiscordantes tinham um predomínio de contagens de células CD4 acima de 500 com carga viral indetectável. Verificou-se associação estatística entre a sorologia do parceiro e o sexo, estado civil, filho, número de filhos. Quanto as variáveis afetivo-sexuais entre casais sorodiscordantes houve um predomínio de heterossexuais com parceria sexual fixa, o uso consistente do preservativo se fez presente na maioria dos casais, a coinfecção mais prevalente foi a sífilis, em relação as práticas sexuais o sexo oral e anal foram os mais prevalentes, a maioria utilizou álcool nas relações sexuais e a revelação da condição sorológica para o parceiro foi realizada entre mais da metade das parcerias sexuais, entretanto um minoria consideram importante realizar essa revelação. A sorologia do parceiro sexual foi associada com tipo de parceria, uso do preservativo masculino, prática sexual vaginal insertivo, divulgação do diagnóstico do HIV para a parceria sexual e considera importante a divulgação do HIV para o parceiro. Quanto as estratégias de gerenciamento de risco entre as parcerias sexuais sorodiscordantes as estratégias mais utilizadas foi a ingestão da medicação antirretroviral e o uso do preservativo, o diálogo com a parceria sexual sobre métodos de prevenção do HIV foi frequente entre os casais. Verificou-se associação estatística entre a sorologia do parceiro e uso do preservativo masculino, combinações de estratégia de prevenção, uso de PEP quando o preservative estourasse e frequência com que você e seu parceiro (a) conversam sobre o melhor método de prevenção para o casal. A oferta de ações dispostas pelos Serviços de saúde ainda é limitada, aquém das reais necessidades dos pacientes. Conclui-se que as PVHA no município de Teresina, acompanhadas ambulatorialmente estabelecem parcerias sexuais, a sorologia do parceiro foi influenciada pelas variáveis sociodemográficas, afetivo-sexuais, de gerenciamento de risco. Assim, faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias para o atendimento das parcerias sexuais, com foco na promoção da saúde e prevenção do HIV para o parceiro sorodiscordante, a atuação do serviço deve ser integral de forma a atender os pacientes de forma holística. / This is a cross-sectional, analytical study aimed at describing and characterizing sociodemographic, clinical, affective-sexual, risk management of people living with HIV/AIDS, characterizing the educational actions offered in the health service of these people, to analyze sociodemographic, clinical, affective-sexual factors and the use of risk management strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS and its association with serology of the sexual partner in people living with HIV/AIDS. The data collection was performed in a Specialized Care Services (SAE) of the municipality of Teresina, from November 2016 to March 2017. Individuals with age >= 18 years were included; who were in a fixed or casual relationship maintaining sexual intercourse and with HIV serological test result and excluded pregnant women and patients in situations of deprivation of liberty and those who obtained access to antiretroviral drugs by the program but with follow-up in private service. The data collection was performed in a Specialized Care Services (SAE) of the municipality of Teresina, from November 2016 to March 2017. Individuals with age >= 18 years were included; who were in a fixed or casual relationship maintaining sexual intercourse and with HIV serological test result and excluded pregnant women, patients in situations of deprivation of liberty and those who obtained access to antiretroviral drugs by the program but with follow-up in private service. A non-probabilistic sample consisted of 173 individuals. Data were collected through individual interviews, in a private room. We used a characterization tool for socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, affective-sexual, risk management evaluation and the educational actions offered by specialized care services built for study. The project was approved by the ethics committee under protocol No. CAAE 59293316.6.0000.5393/2016. Among the sexual partnerships, a profile of serodiscordant patients, mostly males, adults, young people, from Teresina, with full secondary education, \"brown\", with income of up to three minimum salaries, residing with 1 to 2 persons at home , among the clinical variables serodiscordant sexual partners had a predominance of CD4 cell counts above 500 with undetectable viral load. There was a statistical association between the serology of the partner and the sex, marital status, having a child, number of children. As for the affective-sexual variables among serodiscordant couples there was a predominance of heterosexuals with fixed sexual partners, consistent condom use was present in most couples, the most prevalent coinfection was syphilis, in relation to sexual practices, oral and anal sex were the most prevalent, most used alcohol in sexual relations and the disclosure of the serological condition for the partner was performed between more than half of the sexual partnerships, however a minority consider it important to carry out this revelation. As for risk management strategies among serodiscordant sexual partnerships, the most commonly used strategies were ingestion of antiretroviral medication and condom use, dialogue with sexual partners on HIV prevention methods was frequent among couples. There was a statistical association between the partner\'s serology and male condom use, combinations of prevention strategies, PEP use when the condom burst and how often you and your partner talk about the best method of prevention for the couple. The offer of actions provided by the Health Services is still limited, below the real needs of the patients. We conclude that the PLWHA in the city of Teresina, accompanied ambulatory establish sexual partners, the partner\'s serology were influenced by sociodemographic, sexual-affective variables, risk management. Thus, it is necessary the development of strategies for the service of sexual partnerships, with a focus on health promotion and HIV prevention for the serodiscordant partner, the service\'s performance must be integral so as to attend patients holistically.

A terapia antirretroviral (TARV) determinou o aumento da sobrevida das pessoas que vivem com HIV (PVH), porém eventos adversos relacionados à síndrome lipodistrófica, como alterações morfológicas corporais e distúrbios metabólicos vem sendo descritos como fatores de risco cardiovascular nessa população. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da prática de atividade física na prevenção primária de alterações morfológicas corporais e metabólicas e na qualidade de vida de PVH que iniciam TARV. Métodos: PVH que estavam em TARV há no máximo quatro meses e não apresentavam alterações metabólicas e morfológicas corporais foram convidadas a participar deste ensaio clínico randomizado pragmático, sendo alocadas aleatoriamente para grupos intervenção ou controle, na proporção de 1:1. A intervenção consistiu de atividade física orientada presencialmente e/ou à distância, com sessões programadas para ocorrer três vezes por semana, sendo duas com treinamento misto/concorrente (cardiorrespiratório e de força) e uma de treinamento simples, cardiorrespiratório, com duração aproximada de 60 minutos, durante seis meses. Foi conduzida no próprio serviço ambulatorial no qual o paciente estava em acompanhamento ou utilizando-se espaços e equipamentos disponíveis em locais públicos (equipamentos de ginástica a céu aberto, arquibancadas, escadas, pista de caminhada e corrida) e elásticos disponibilizados para o projeto. Os desfechos do estudo (atividade física, aptidão cardiorrespiratória, avaliação física, qualidade de vida e dados laboratoriais) foram aferidos à inclusão e depois de concluída a intervenção ou o acompanhamento dos controles. Para testar a hipótese de não modificação do grupo experimental no tempo, em comparação ao grupo controle, um modelo de ANOVA de medidas repetidas não paramétrico foi utilizado com nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: A população estudada consistiu de 38 PVH, majoritariamente do sexo masculino (87,0%), autodeclarados pretos ou pardos (65,8%), com média de idade de 32,6 anos. À inclusão no estudo apresentavam pouca frequência de atividade física moderada e baixa autoeficácia para a prática de atividades físicas. Ao final do estudo, os níveis de atividade física não apresentaram diferença significativa intergrupos (atividades praticadas na semana precedente, medidas pelo questionário IPAQ e com uso de acelerômetro). Analogamente, não houve diferença significativa intergrupos nas variáveis relacionadas à avaliação física (circunferências da cintura e do abdome, força de preensão manual e de resistência, flexibilidade e aptidão cardiorrespiratória, obtida em teste de ergoespirometria) e na qualidade de vida, avaliada pelo questionário WHOQoLHIV-Bref. Tampouco foram encontradas diferenças significativas na análise intergrupos nas concentrações de glicose em jejum, triglicérides e PCR. Apesar do grupo intervenção ter exibido aumento significativo nas concentrações séricas de LDL-colesterol na análise intergrupos, os valores observados não apresentaram relevância clínica. Conclusões: A realização de ensaio clínico randomizado pragmático para avaliar os efeitos da atividade física na prevenção primária de alterações morfológicas corporais e alterações metabólicas relacionadas à síndrome lipodistrófica, e na qualidade de vida de PVH que iniciam a TARV mostrou-se factível em serviço ambulatorial universitário especializado da cidade de São Paulo. Contudo, não se verificou efeito significativo da intervenção sobre o acúmulo de gordura abdominal, a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, a glicemia de jejum e as concentrações de triglicérides e PCR e sobre a qualidade de vida dos participantes. A baixa autoeficácia para a prática de atividades físicas na população estudada, o reduzido número de participantes e o tempo de intervenção proposto podem ter contribuído para os achados. Para investigação mais aprofundada sobre o tema sugere-se conduzir ensaios clínicos pragmáticos multicêntricos que atentem para as limitações observadas neste estudo / Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to increased survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV), but adverse events related to the lipodystrophy syndrome, such as body changes and metabolic disturbances have been described as cardiovascular risk factors in this population. Objective: To evaluate the effect of physical activity on the primary prevention of body changes and metabolic disturbances and in the quality of life of PLHIV who initiate ART. Methods: PLHIV on ART for not more than four months with no body changes and metabolic disturbances were invited to participate in this pragmatic randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention consisted of onsite and/or remotely supervised physical activity sessions, three times a week, two of them with mixed/concurrent training (cardiorespiratory and strength training) and one simple cardiorespiratory training, for approximately 60 minutes, during six months. The intervention was carried out at the clinic where patients were being followed up or using equipment in public open spaces (gym equipment or bleachers, stairs, walking and running lanes) and elastic bands made available for the project. Study outcomes (physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical evaluation, quality of life and blood test results) were assessed at admission and after six months. The intervention and control groups were compared over time using a non-parametric repeated-measures ANOVA model, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The study cohort consisted of 38 PLHIV, mostly males (87.0%), self-reportedly black or mulatto (65.8%), with a mean age of 32.6 years. At inclusion they presented low frequency of moderate physical activity and low self-efficacy for physical activity. At the end of follow-up physical activity levels did not show significant intergroup differences (activities practiced in the previous week, measured by the IPAQ questionnaire and accelerometer). Likewise, no significant intergroup differences were seen in variables related to physical evaluation (waist and abdomen circumferences, hand grip and resistance strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness) and to quality of life assessed by WHOQoLHIV-Bref. In addition, the intervention yielded no significant differences on fasting glucose, triglyceride and CRP concentrations in intergroup analysis. Although the intervention group presented a significant increase in serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations in intergroup analysis, this was not considered clinically relevant. Conclusions: A pragmatic randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of physical activity on the primary prevention of body changes and metabolic disturbances related to the lipodystrophic syndrome and in the quality of life of PLHIV who initiate ART was feasible at a university outpatient clinic in the city of São Paulo. However, no significant effect of the intervention was demonstrated on abdominal fat, cardiorespiratory fitness, fasting glucose, triglyceride and CRP concentrations and on the participants\' quality of life. The low self-efficacy for physical activities in the study population, the reduced number of participants and the proposed duration may have contributed to the findings. For further investigation on the subject, multicenter pragmatic clinical trials are warranted, taking the limitations observed in this study into account

引發獲得性免疫缺陷綜合癥（AIDS）的人類免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）是一種逆轉錄病毒。過去的十餘年間，高效抗逆轉錄病毒治療療法（HARRT），在抗病毒感染方面取得了很大的成功。高效抗逆轉錄病毒治療療法是一種將多種抗逆轉錄病毒藥物複合的藥物聯用療法。然而，因為病毒的逆轉錄過程極易突變，導致HIV已經可以對大多數使用的抑製藥物產生抗藥性。因此，有越來越多的需要去尋找新型的抗病毒複製機理，例如將人體細胞蛋白作為載體，來達到克服病毒抗藥性的目的。 / HIV-1的複製離不開宿主細胞的剪接因子，例如SR蛋白。選擇性剪接因子ASF/SF2，一個典型的調控pre-RNA剪接的SR蛋白，在HIV-1的pre-mRNA剪接和複製中起到了很重要的調控作用。ASF/SF2和其他SR蛋白一樣，都被丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶（SRPK）磷酸化，磷酸化位點位於C端的丝氨酸/苏氨酸結構域（RS domain）。SRPK通過磷酸化來調節ASF/SF2在細胞中的分佈。對於SRPK 和ASF/SF2複合物的結構學和功能學研究指出，ASF/SF2的docking motif和SRPK1的遠離活性位點的docking groove存在很強的相互作用。而這種相互作用是調節磷酸化過程關鍵。所以，在我們的研究過程中，我們希望通過阻斷2個蛋白的相互作用來干擾ASF/SF2的磷酸化，進而抑制其在HIV-1 pre-mRNA剪接過程中的活性。 / 我們採用以結構為基礎的藥物模擬篩選，來選擇潛在的抑制物，達到通過抑制物與docking groove的相互作用來阻斷ASF/SF2和SRPK1的相互作用，以達到抑制磷酸化的目的。我們使用的數據庫來自于ZINC數據庫（UCSF），包括天然產物數據庫和SPECS。我們採用AutoDock Vina 和AutoDock 4.2 二個模擬軟件來栓選數據庫中351473个化合物。并從中選出50個潛在的化合物用作之後的化學生物學測試。體外的激酶活性試驗顯示，6個化合物對ASF/SF2的磷酸化有抑製作用。 / 體外的HIV-1 pre-mRNA剪接實驗顯示，5個化合物在逆轉錄PCR（RT-PCR）中有一定得抑制效果。和DMSO對照組相比，在抑製劑作用下剪接產物的生成被抑制。HIV-1病毒合胞體感染實驗顯示，有一個化合物對病毒的感染起到了一定的抑制作用。 / 其他的測試實驗還在進行中，包括對SRPK1和抑制物複合物的結構研究，從而更好的研究抑制物的作用機理。以及，採用表面等離子共振波譜來進行動力學研究和其他關於化合物在病毒複製過程中的實驗測試。 / Human immunodeficient virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a treatment of HIV infection that uses combinations of antiretroviral drugs and has achieved great success in the past two decades. However, since the reverse transcription process of viral RNA is notoriously prone to error, HIV-1 can acquire resistance to nearly all known inhibitors and has started to develop resistance to HAART. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for new drugs with novel inhibitory mechanism such as targeting cellular proteins essential for HIV-1 replication to overcome drug resistance of the virus. / HIV-1 mRNA undergoes complex splicing and the expression of the integrated HIV-1 provirus is largely dependent on the host’s splicing machinery which assembly requires splicing factors such as serine-arginine rich proteins (SR proteins). Alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 (ASF/SF2), a prototypic SR protein that is essential for pre-mRNA splicing, has been shown to play critical roles during HIV-1 pre-mRNA splicing and replication. ASF/SF2, like other SR proteins, is phosphorylated by SR protein-specific kinases (SRPKs) at its C-terminal arginine/serine (RS) domain, which governs its localization and metabolism. Structural and functional studies of SRPK1 in complex with ASF/SF2 has revealed that a docking groove on SRPK1 that is distal to the active site interacts strongly with a docking motif and the RS domain of ASF/SF2, leading to high affinity binding as well as regulating the mechanism of phosphorylation. In this study, we propose that by blocking this interaction, we might interfere the phosphorylation of ASF/SF2 and inhibit its activity during splicing of HIV-1 pre-mRNA. / Structure-based in silico screening method is adopted to identify potential inhibitors that bind to the docking groove of SRPK1 to block the binding and phosphorylation of ASF/SF2. The compound libraries being used include the Natual Products Database and SPECS database from ZINC (UCSF). 351,473 compounds have been screened using the program Autodock Vina as well as Autodock 4.0. Until now 50 potential candidates of inhibitor have been selected for biochemical analyses. In vitro kinase assays showed that six compounds exhibit inhibitory activity against the phosphorylation of ASF/SF2. / To test the effect of the selected inhibitors on the splicing of HIV-1 mRNA, ex vivo splicing assay has been performed. Current results showed that the synthesis of splicing products extracted from drug-treated cells was less efficient when compared to untreated cells. Biological assays testing the inhibitory effects of the compounds on viral infection are currently underway. Our preliminary result suggested that one of the compounds could indeed inhibit HIV-1 viral infection. / Other biochemical and biological analyses including structural study of kinase-inhibitor complexes to understand the mode of inhibition; measurement of binding kinetics using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR); and biological assays testing the inhibitory effects of the compounds on replication are underway. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yu, Xiyao. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-107). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.III / Acknowledgements --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VI / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.IX / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XI / Chapter Chapter I --- : Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- HIV, HAART and HIV Drug Resistance --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- HIV-1 alternative splicing mechanism --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- SR Protein Family --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Functional roles of SR protein in HIV pre-mRNA splicing --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Phosphorylation States of SR Proteins --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6 --- SR protein Kinase --- p.20 / Chapter 1.7 --- Interaction between SRPK1 and ASF/SF2 --- p.23 / Chapter 1.8 --- IDC16 and SPRIN340 --- p.26 / Chapter 1.9 --- Structure-based drug screening --- p.27 / Chapter 1.10 --- AutoDock Suite --- p.29 / Chapter 1.11 --- Kinase-substrate interaction inhibitors --- p.30 / Chapter 1.12 --- Focus of study --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter II --- : Materials and Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Bacterial strain --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Antibodies --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cell line --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Plasmid --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Reagents --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2 --- Expression and purification of Recombinant protein --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3 --- In silico screening of inhibitors --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4 --- Kinase Glo Assay --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5 --- In vitro kinase assay --- p.45 / Chapter 2.6 --- Cell Culture --- p.46 / Chapter 2.7 --- MTT Assay --- p.46 / Chapter 2.8 --- Immunocytochemistry --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9 --- Ex vivo splicing assay --- p.47 / Chapter 2.10 --- Surface plasmon resonance spectroscope --- p.48 / Chapter Chapter III --- : Results --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1 --- In silico screening of inhibitors --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Selected Compounds Inhibits SRPK1 in Vitro --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Protein purification --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Inhibits ASF/SF2 Phosphorylation by SRPK --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3 --- Surface Plasmon Resonance Binding Competition Assay --- p.76 / Chapter 3.4 --- Inhibitors Alters HIV-1 Alternative Splicing ex Vivo --- p.79 / Chapter 3.5 --- Cytotoxic effect of candidate compound on HeLa cells --- p.84 / Chapter 3.6 --- Nature compound alters ASF/SF2 localization --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter IV --- : Discussion and Conclusion --- p.89 / References --- p.95

介紹 / 愛滋病在中國男男性行為者中的流行持續增長，而新感染HIV的男男性行為者扮演著重要角色。本民族志研究採用了社會生態模式來探討與新感染HIV的男男性行為者中HIV二代傳播、心理健康、以及使用健康服務相關的問題。研究方法包括深入訪談、焦點小組訪談、非正式訪談和參與觀察。此外還採訪了志願者和醫護人員。資料分析採用主題內容分析法。 / 結果 / 在確診為HIV呈陽性後，大多數的男男性行為者經受過一定程度的心理及精神上的問題。與HIV相關的緊張性刺激影響著他們適應這個確診。HIV與一些重要的心理、社會和文化的條件呈現一種綜合流行。而大多數的男男性行為者通過自身的應變能力逐漸康復，其中一些人甚至體驗到某種程度的成長。人的應變能力是一種基於個人與環境互動的建構。 / 11名（占24.4%）HIV呈陽性的男男性行為者報告發生過無保護的肛交行為。基於性伴侶的不同類型，與無保護肛交行為相關的因素則有所不同。這些無保護的肛交行為往往同時伴隨著物質濫用、對風險的錯誤認識、以及消極的情緒或者心理和精神問題。阻礙無保護肛交行為發生的積極因素包括社會支援、自我保健、自我保護和志願服務。 / 自上而下的公共衛生服務傾向於控制和檢測而不是賦權于男男性行為人群，並且在很大程度上忽視了新感染HIV的男男性行為者的心理和精神健康、性健康、以及自我保健的能力。新感染HIV的男男性行為者的未滿足的需求已經被識別，且他們更願意到男男性行為人群的社區，尤其是感染者小組那裏去尋求服務和支援。但男男性行為人群的草根組織卻缺乏資金和技術的支持。 / 結論 / 新感染HIV的男男性行為者所遭遇的問題都植根於特定的個人際遇以及他們所生活的社會生態系統。是時候採取一種廣泛而綜合的“健康同志社區的觀點、促進自我保健的策略、以及具有文化敏感性和社會效能的措施來預防HIV的二代傳播以及促進新感染HIV的男男性行為者的社會福祉。人類行為的非線性的特徵要求愛滋病健康行為研究從強調生物行為的範式轉移到著重愛滋病的社會根源的範式中來。 / Introduction / Newly diagnosed HIV positive men who have sex with men (NHIVMSM) play an important role in accelerating the high HIV prevalence in China. This ethnographic study, employing a modified social ecological model integrating concepts of adaptation, cognition, affect and action, investigated the inter-related issues on secondary HIV transmission, mental health and services utilization in this population. Methodologies included in-depth interviews, focus groups, informal interviews and participant observations. Moreover, information was also obtained from volunteers and health care workers. Thematic content analysis was performed. / Results / Most respondents commonly experienced psychological or mental health problems (e.g. depressive symptoms and anxiety) after their HIV diagnosis. HIV stressors, such as constraints of being HIV positive, limited information and knowledge of HIV/AIDS, ART and its side effects, associated co-morbidities and significant costs in health care, appeared to shape their adaptation to the diagnosis. Moreover, a syndemic was apparent among NHIVMSM and some influential psycho-social and cultural conditions, such as adversities in their migrants’ life, social suffering as MSM, cultural trauma, stigma and discrimination. Most respondents drew on a range of personal resilience strategies and some respondents testified to have achieved post-traumatic growth. Resilience was presented within a person-situation interactional construct. / Eleven (24.4%) respondents reported practicing unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Several respondents reported their UAI had occurred in the first few months after their diagnosis when they suffered considerably from uncertainty, perceived stigma and identity struggles. Factors associated with UAI were based on differing partner types, such as fear of losing partners in a context of non-serostatus disclosure in lovers or stable partners, tongzhi (gay) sauna setting and moral judgment in casual partners, and poor economic status in commercial partners. UAI usually happened simultaneously in context of substance use, risk misconceptions, encountering negative emotion or mental health problems. Positive factors against UAI included social support, self-care, self-protection and volunteerism. / The current top-down public health services tended to operate on control and surveillance instead of empowering MSM. This approach largely ignored psychological and mental health, sexual health and self-care capacities among NHIVMSM, whose unmet needs were identified as preferring to obtain services and support from MSM and/or PLWH communities. However, current MSM organizations lacked funding and technical support. Health care providers operated with suboptimal care protocols, training and technical support. Coordination and collaborations among health care institutes and MSM communities were relatively weak. Tailored participatory health care is warranted, such as volunteerism, greater involvement of PLWH, health navigators and building supportive environment and services. / Conclusions / The problems of psychological and mental health, risky sexual behavior (UAI) and health services utilization that NHIVMSM encountered resulted from interactions between personal experiences and the social ecological systems they inhabited. Recommendation drawn include adopting a comprehensive and inclusive “healthy MSM community“ approach and a strategy of facilitating self-care to carry out culturally sensitive and socially effective measures to prevent secondary HIV transmission and to promote wellbeing among NHIVMSM. An emerging theoretical implication is that the nonlinearity of human behaviour requires paradigm shifting from a bio-behavioural emphasis to the social origin of HIV/AIDS. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Li, Haochu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 425-457). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.iv / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.vii / Acknowledgements --- p.ix / Table of Contents --- p.xi / List of Tables and Figures --- p.xv / Glossary --- p.xvi / Abbreviation --- p.xviii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- High HIV prevalence and incidence among MSM in China --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Social and cultural environment faced by HIV positive MSM --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Sexual risk and secondary HIV transmission among HIV positive (and newly diagnosed) MSM --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Psychological and mental health among HIV positive (and newly diagnosed) MSM --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Health service utilization among HIV positive (and newly diagnosed) MSM --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Exploring complexities of secondary HIV transmission through qualitative studies --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- Theories, concepts and the research framework --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Conceptualization of adaptation in medical anthropology --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- The social ecological model --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Cognitive adaptation and self-control --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Emotion and motivation are influential in health behaviour --- p.21 / Chapter 1.6.5 --- Action world and its role in health behaviour --- p.24 / Chapter 1.6.6 --- Social control/social order --- p.26 / Chapter 1.6.7 --- Stigma --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.8 --- Identity control --- p.29 / Chapter 1.6.9 --- Research framework --- p.32 / Chapter 1.7 --- Goals, objectives and research questions --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methodology --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1. --- Entrée into the field --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The start of the research --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Pilot work --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2 --- The participants --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- Data collection --- p.50 / Chapter 2.4 --- Data analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 2.5 --- Rigour --- p.62 / Chapter 2.6 --- Reflexivity --- p.68 / Chapter 2.7 --- Ethical considerations --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Social circumstances and MSM communities in Shenzhen --- p.78 / Chapter 3.1 --- Population and economic circumstances --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2 --- Shifting political situation --- p.80 / Chapter 3.3 --- A migrant society --- p.87 / Chapter 3.4 --- Shenzhen Culture --- p.93 / Chapter 3.5 --- MSM community and tongzhi subculture --- p.98 / Chapter 3.6 --- The subgroup of HIV positive MSM --- p.113 / Chapter 3.7 --- Public health implications --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Health care system and services related to HIV case detection and follow up --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1 --- Formal health care system --- p.118 / Chapter 4.2 --- Health insurance --- p.125 / Chapter 4.3 --- “Four Free and One Care“ policy --- p.126 / Chapter 4.4 --- Informal health care --- p.127 / Chapter 4.5 --- Services related to HIV case detection and follow up --- p.131 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Psychological and mental health --- p.142 / Chapter 5.1 --- Negative mental health outcomes --- p.142 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Depressive symptoms --- p.142 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Anxiety symptoms --- p.146 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Factors associated with negative mental health outcome --- p.150 / Chapter 5.1.3.1 --- Individual factors --- p.150 / Chapter 5.1.3.2 --- Interpersonal factors --- p.157 / Chapter 5.1.3.3 --- Cultural factors in community and family --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.3.4 --- Institutional and structural factors --- p.163 / Chapter 5.2 --- Positive mental health outcomes --- p.166 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Integrating negative experiences and recovery --- p.166 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Resources for recovery --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Back to normal functioning --- p.170 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Post-traumatic growth --- p.172 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Factors associated with positive mental health outcome --- p.175 / Chapter 5.2.5.1 --- Individual factors --- p.175 / Chapter 5.2.5.2 --- Interpersonal factor --- p.181 / Chapter 5.2.5.3 --- Community-related factors --- p.184 / Chapter 5.2.5.4 --- Institutional factors --- p.187 / Chapter 5.3 --- Public health concern of suicidal ideation --- p.190 / Chapter 5.4 --- Impacts of psychological and mental health --- p.194 / Chapter 5.5 --- Summary of psychological and mental health in a modified socio-ecological mode --- p.195 / Chapter 5.6 --- Discussion --- p.197 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- The emerging of a syndemic in HIV and some psycho-social and cultural conditions --- p.197 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Powerful social and cultural factors associated with mental health --- p.200 / Chapter 5.6.3 --- Resilience among newly diagnosed HIV positive MSM --- p.208 / Chapter 5.6.4 --- Service implications --- p.213 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Sexual risk --- p.221 / Chapter 6.1 --- Continued unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) after being diagnosed HIV positive --- p.221 / Chapter 6.2 --- Changes in practising UAI during the study period --- p.222 / Chapter 6.3 --- Factors associated with UAI with non-commercial sex partners --- p.224 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Individual factors --- p.225 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Interpersonal factors --- p.229 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Community-based factors --- p.231 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Institutional factors --- p.234 / Chapter 6.4 --- UAI with commercial sex partners --- p.235 / Chapter 6.5 --- Comparing factors associated with UAI among commercial and non-commercial partners --- p.238 / Chapter 6.6 --- Reduced risky behaviour after diagnosis --- p.239 / Chapter 6.7 --- Factors associated with condom use --- p.241 / Chapter 6.7.1 --- Individual factors --- p.241 / Chapter 6.7.2 --- Interpersonal factors --- p.246 / Chapter 6.7.3 --- Community factors --- p.248 / Chapter 6.8 --- Other special issues related to risky sexual behaviour --- p.250 / Chapter 6.9 --- Summary of sexual risk in a modified socio-ecological model --- p.261 / Chapter 6.10 --- Discussion --- p.263 / Chapter 6.10.1 --- Prevalence of UAI --- p.263 / Chapter 6.10.2 --- Partner types and UAI --- p.265 / Chapter 6.10.2.1 --- Fear of losing partners in a context of non-serostatus disclosure --- p.266 / Chapter 6.10.2.2 --- Anonymous sexual encounters and moral judgment --- p.267 / Chapter 6.10.2.3 --- Economic barriers --- p.270 / Chapter 6.10.2.4 --- Intrapersonal contexts --- p.271 / Chapter 6.10.3 --- Critical views on some practices --- p.274 / Chapter 6.10.4 --- Emerging positive experiences from Shenzhen --- p.276 / Chapter 6.10.5 --- Service implications --- p.279 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Health service seeking --- p.285 / Chapter 7.1 --- Problems identified in health service seeking --- p.285 / Chapter 7.2 --- Processes of adaptation --- p.289 / Chapter 7.3 --- Negative factors associated with health service seeking --- p.296 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Individual factors --- p.296 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Interpersonal factors --- p.302 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Community-based factors --- p.304 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Health care institution-based factors --- p.309 / Chapter 7.4 --- Positive factors associated with health service seeking --- p.319 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Individual factors --- p.319 / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Interpersonal factors --- p.321 / Chapter 7.4.3 --- Community-based factors --- p.325 / Chapter 7.4.4 --- Factors in the health care institutes--free services --- p.328 / Chapter 7.5 --- Summary of health service seeking in a modified socio-ecological model --- p.329 / Chapter 7.6 --- Discussion --- p.331 / Chapter 7.6.1 --- Problems in health care institutes --- p.331 / Chapter 7.6.1.1 --- The top-down approach -- controlling instead of community building --- p.331 / Chapter 7.6.1.2 --- Problems among health care providers --- p.335 / Chapter 7.6.2 --- Tailored participatory approach to health care and education for HIV positive MSM --- p.339 / Chapter 7.6.3 --- Necessity for developing MSM communities --- p.342 / Chapter 7.6.4 --- Service implications --- p.349 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Discussion and implications --- p.355 / Chapter 8.1 --- The occurrences of UAI and its hidden meaning --- p.355 / Chapter 8.2 --- Informing the future HIV epidemic among MSM in Shenzhen --- p.357 / Chapter 8.3 --- Difficulties of controlling the HIV epidemic among MSM --- p.361 / Chapter 8.4 --- New HIV prevention approach --- p.368 / Chapter 8.5 --- Critiquing theories for recommended changes --- p.386 / Chapter 8.6 --- Limitations of the study --- p.400 / Chapter 8.7 --- Conclusion --- p.405 / Appendix I to IX --- p.409 / Bibliography --- p.425

HIV, syphilis, malaria, and anaemia are major causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite global and national policies advocating for screening of these conditions, only HIV testing has achieved good coverage, precluding early detection and appropriate management in pregnancy. Rapid pointof-care tests (POCTs) provide an opportunity to integrate diagnosis and provide timely treatment of these conditions in rural antenatal care (ANC) settings. After an introductory chapter, a review of the literature on these four conditions in pregnancy is presented with a focus on SSA. The thesis then shifts attention to Kenya, a country that embodies many of the disease challenges and health system characteristics of the region. Kenyan ANC policy recommends testing for HIV, syphilis and anaemia and preventive strategies for malaria. The following chapters are comprised of three linked studies conducted in western Kenya, that use different methods to progressively investigate the implementation success of integrated point-of-care testing (POCT) for HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia at seven peripheral dispensaries. Baseline data confirmed that testing requirements for syphilis, malaria and anaemia are not currently met at dispensary level. We implemented an intervention where test kits were supplied and training plus supervision were provided to enable healthcare workers to conduct integrated POCT for pregnant women. Adoption and fidelity were measured quantitatively using exit interviews, antenatal registers and proficiency scores (Study 1: Integrating point-of-care testing (POCT) for HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia in antenatal care at dispensary level in western Kenya: an implementation study) while acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility were assessed qualitatively (Study 2: Exploring healthcare workers and pregnant women’s perspectives on appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility of integrating point-of care testing: A qualitative study). Our findings show that the innovation was highly adopted, meaning almost all pregnant women received the essential tests. This was supported by the qualitative findings where healthcare workers and pregnant women found the innovation acceptable and appropriate. However, fidelity to clinical management guidelines can still be improved. Our qualitative findings provide some explanation for these gaps. One common sentiment among interviews with healthcare workers was that workload was perceived to be a barrier to providing quality care. We explored this further with discrete-event simulation modelling (Study 3: Investigating the operational impact of integrating HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia point-of-care testing in antenatal care clinics in western Kenya: a discrete event simulation model) and found the healthcare workers were actually under-utilized. This suggests that nurses should, in theory, have sufficient time to deliver essential ANC services. While integrating POCT addresses one gap, additional interventions to support and supervise healthcare workers are needed to ensure appropriate and high quality of care. An integrated approach to health systems strengthening and more investment in implementation and translation research using multi-methods are needed.