The aim of the study was to determine the factors that influence adherence to ART among adolescents who contracted HIV through vertical transmission. Qualitative research using descriptive phenomenology was conducted at Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence. Data was collected using in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. Eight (8) adolescents between 14 and 19 years who had been on ART for minimum of 4 years were interviewed. Thematic analysis of data was done and five (5) themes emerged from the participants' description of the experience of taking ART over a long period of time. The themes that emerged indicated the factors that influence adherence to ART, and they included knowledge and positive beliefs about ART, need for support, ART difficult treatment regimen, having a regular doctor and psychosocial emotional needs. The findings suggested that the adolescents who contracted HIV through vertical transmission require support while continuing on a simplified long-term ART regimen after an assessment of their psychological well beings and periodic checks. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Vertical transmission of HIV is still a growing concern in South Africa. Breastfed infants are still at risk as HIV is present in breast milk, leaving HIV-positive mothers unsure of the best feeding option for their infants. However, there are various infant feeding techniques that HIV-positive mothers can use to supplement breastfeeding and flash-heat is one of them. Flash-heat is heat treating expressed breast milk to deactivate HIV for infant feeding. This study explored the possibility of HIV-positive mothers to practice flash-heating method for their infants exclusively for four months as a strategy to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. A descriptive, explorative and contextual design using a mixed method was used to obtain data from mothers in a post natal ward at Tembisa hospital. The mixed method used was useful in identifying the number of HIV-positive mothers who would adopt the flash-heat technique, the characteristics of mothers whom the technique could be promoted to, the factors that influence/affect the choice of infant feeding for these mothers, as well as their feelings associated with the feeding technique. Most (74%) mothers had a positive response to the flash-heat technique compared to 10% who were uncertain. They believed that heat treating their breast milk would result in their infants being HIV-free. In addition they believed that this method was cheaper than formula feeding and expressed positive feelings about touching their breast milk while expressing with no adverse feelings of expressing into a glass jar. Furthermore, findings of this study indicated that HIV-positive mothers in a public health facility would adopt flash-heat as an alternative infant feeding method. Thus practical guidelines to promote this feeding method were proposed. The proposed draft guidelines which promote the use of the flash-heat infant feeding method for HIV-positive mothers in public sector facilities will be communicated to relevant authorities such as the National Department of Health. These guidelines support the new policy shift to exclusive breastfeeding as a child survival strategy in South Africa. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Background: Non-disclosure of HIV positive status to a partner threatens to reverse gains made in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in resource limited settings. Determining the association between non-disclosure and infant HIV acquisition is important to justify focussing on disclosure as a strategy in PMTCT programmes. Objective: To determine the association between non-disclosure of HIV positive status to a partner and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Methods: Using a matched case-control design, we compared 34 HIV positive infants to 146 HIV negative infants and evaluated whether the mothers had disclosed their HIV status to their partner. Results: Non-disclosure was more frequent among cases (overall, 16.7%; cases, 52.8%; controls 7.6%), p<0.001 and significantly associated with MTCT (aOR 8.9 (3.0-26.3); p<0.0001), with male partner involvement partially mediating the effect of non-disclosure on MTCT. Conclusions: There is a need for PMTCT programs to focus on strategies to improve male partner involvement and partner disclosure without compromising the woman’s safety. / Health Studies / M. (Public Health)

Em cana-de-açúcar, a colonização do caule por fungos oportunistas, como Fusarium verticillioides e Colletotrichum falcatum, está diretamente ligada ao ataque da lagarta Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Duas proteínas, SUGARWIN1 e SUGARWIN2 são produzidas em cana-de-açúcar, em resposta ao dano mecânico e ao ataque de D. saccharalis, porém estas proteínas não afetam o inseto, e sim ocasionam alterações fisiológicas e morfológicas em F. verticillioides e C. falcatum, ocasionando a morte destes fungos por apoptose. Dietas artificiais suplementadas com estes fungos oportunistas ocasionaram o ganho de peso da D. saccharalis. Esses dados indicam uma interação mais íntima entre o inseto e estes patógenos de cana, sendo que, neste estudo procuramos identificar relações simbióticas entre os indivíduos, analisando se a forma de transmissão desses fungos é mediado pela D. saccharalis. Os resultados mostraram a presença do F. verticillioides em todas as fases de desenvolvimento da D. saccharalis após contato com o fungo, ou seja, depois de se alimentarem em dieta suplementada por F. verticillioides no 4º instar, permaneceram infectadas pelo fungo ao longo de toda a fase pupal e adulta, em ambos os sexos. Além disso, o F. verticillioides foi transmitido para os descendentes de D. saccharalis, sendo que o fungo foi detectado nos ovos, ou seja, um caso original de transmissão vertical. Por meio de microscopia, também foi possível verificar a alta intensidade de F. verticillioides no interior do intestino de lagartas. Estes dados inferem em uma relação simbiótica entre F. verticillioides e D. saccharalis, onde o simbionte é transferido verticalmente para as gerações subsequentes. As respostas obtidas com o fungo C. falcatum diferiram daquelas obtidas com F. verticillioides, uma vez que não se detectou a presença do fungo a partir da fase pupal. Neste caso, a relação de simbiose entre o fungo e o inseto pode resultar em uma transmissão horizontal. Com este estudo foi possível identificar diferentes formas de transmissão por D. saccharalis para dois fungos envolvidos em podridão de colmo em cana-de-açúcar. Estes dados mudam a forma como é vista a transmissão de F. verticillioides por D. saccharalis em cana-de-açúcar, podendo influenciar a forma de manejo da podridão de Fusarium e da broca nos canaviais. / In sugarcane, stem colonization by opportunistic fungi, such as Fusarium verticillioides and Colletotrichum falcatum, is directly linked to the attack of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) caterpillar. Two proteins, SUGARWIN1 and SUGARWIN2 are produced in sugarcane, in response to mechanical damage and attack of D. saccharalis, however these proteins do not affect the insect, but cause physiological and morphological changes in F. verticillioides and C. falcatum, causing the death of these fungi by apoptosis. Artificial diets supplemented with these opportunistic fungi caused the weight gain of D. saccharalis. These data indicate a more intimate interaction between the insect and the sugarcane pathogens. In this study, we sought to identify symbiotic relationship among individuals, analyzing whether the transmission of these fungi is mediated by D. saccharalis. The results showed the presence of F. verticillioides in all stages of D. saccharalis development after contact with the fungus, in the 4th instar. The caterpillars remained infect by the fungus throughout the pupal and adult phase, in both sexes. In addition, F. verticillioides was transmitted to D. saccharalis offspring, being detected in eggs, an original case of vertical transmission. Through the microscopy results, it was also possible to verify the high intensity of F. verticillioides inside the intestines of caterpillar. These data infer in a symbiotic relationship between F. verticillioides and D. saccharalis, where the symbiont is transferred vertically to the offspring. The responses obtained with C. falcatum differed from those obtained with F. verticillioides, since the presence of the fungus was not detected from the pupal phase. In this case, the symbiont relationship between fungus and insect can result in a horizontal transmission. With this study was possible to identify different forms of fungi transmission by D. saccharalis. These data change the way the transmission of F. verticillioides by D. saccharalis in sugarcane is viewed, and may influence the management of Fusarium rot and sugarcane borer attack in sugarcane.

Introdução: Com o surgimento da epidemia da AIDS na década de 80, vários têm sido os desafios enfrentados pela sociedade, devido à rápida disseminação, em escala global. A epidemia acomete cerca de 34 milhões nos diversos continentes, e segundo a UNAIDS (2012), a maior parcela está em países em desenvolvimento. O continente africano, com mais de 800 milhões de habitantes, em 54 países, é o que mais tem sofrido os impactos da doença, apresentando a maior parcela de infectados pelo vírus HIV no mundo, com cerca de 23,5 milhões de infectados registrados. Assim como globalmente, a preocupação que tem suscitado debates é a crescente feminização dessa epidemia em Guiné-Bissau, aumentando as taxas de transmissão vertical do vírus HIV, que, segundo as últimas projeções do país (PEN III, 2012), o risco estimado foi de 8,9 por cento. O advento do antirretroviral (Zidovudina), em 1994, a partir da publicação do protocolo 076 da ACTG veio mudar o cenário da transmissão vertical. Em Guiné-Bissau, a chegada dos antirretrovirais, em 2006, constituiu uma nova fase na luta contra a disseminação do vírus, em particular, no âmbito da transmissão vertical, proporcionando melhor qualidade de vida e chances de uma criança nascer sem AIDS. A ONG Céu e Terras atua no país desde 2001, e, em julho de 2007, adotou o protocolo recomendado pela OMS: tríplice terapia e amamentação exclusiva, visando à redução da transmissão vertical. Objetivo - Analisar a atuação da ONG Associação Céu e Terras quanto à prevenção da transmissão vertical do vírus HIV no contexto da Guiné-Bissau, a partir da introdução do novo protocolo da tríplice terapia antirretroviral e amamentação exclusiva. Método - É um estudo descritivo de dados secundários de mães e de seus filhos, mães estas inscritas no programa da instituição (ONG) Associação Céu e Terras em Bissau, República da Guiné-Bissau, no período de julho de 2007 a junho de 2011. População estudada: 430 mulheres soropositivas e 417 crianças nascidas vivas dessas mães que participaram do programa de prevenção da transmissão vertical na ONG. Para analisar a ocorrência de transmissão vertical nessa população, foram considerados os fatores sociais, culturais, a aderência à terapia, o tipo de aleitamento praticado e via de parto. Para isso, foi usado o programa SPSS 18.0. Resultado - Entre 430 grávidas, houve 7 casos de óbito materno e 417 crianças nasceram vivas, e destas, 347 foram testadas no final do seguimento: 328 resultaram HIV negativas e 19 resultaram HIV positivas, ou seja, ocorreu a transmissão vertical. Das crianças que nasceram vivas, 11 delas morreram antes de completar 18 meses e 13 foram a óbito depois de 18 meses de vida. É importante relatar que ocorreram 13 casos de óbito fetal, excluídos do estudo, por não ter sido feito teste para diagnóstico de HIV/AIDS. Conclusões - No período estudado, a taxa de transmissão vertical foi de 4,6 por cento, Valor esse bem abaixo da estimada pelo governo do país. A análise feita para o período de estudo mostrou uma diminuição da transmissão vertical, sugerindo uma ligeira tendência de queda durante os semestres estudados, mas sem diferença significante entre eles. Observou-se, também, falha na adesão à terapia antirretroviral, sendo essa a principal causa da ocorrência na transmissão vertical; por outro lado, a via de parto e amamentação praticada são fortes aliados nessa ocorrência, sem esquecer-se das questões culturais e sociais, fortemente presentes na sociedade guineense e que influenciam na não efetivação do programa em reduzir a taxa de transmissão vertical e da disseminação do vírus HIV no país / Introduction: With the emergence of the AIDS epidemic in the decade of the eighties. Around the world, there are several challenges faced by society due to its rapid dissemination in global scale. The epidemic affects approximately 34 million people around the world, according to UNAIDS, the largest portion is observed in third world. The African continent with over 800 million inhabitants, which contains 54 countries, is what most has suffered the impact of the disease presenting the largest portion of HIV patients in the world, with about 23.5 million infected registered. As globally, the concern that has sparked debates is the increasing feminization of the virus in Guinea - Bissau, the country which consequently increased rates of vertical transmission of HIV, which according to recent projections, the risk is estimated at 8.9 percent (PEN III,2012). The advent of antiretroviral (zidovudine) in 1994, from the publication of 076 protocol of the ACTG come to change the scenario of vertical transmission. In Guinea-Bissau, the arrival of antiretrovirals in 2006, marked a new phase in the fight against the spread of the vírus particularly in the context of vertical transmission, providing more life quality and chances of a child born without AIDS. The NGO Associação Céu e Terras acts in the country since 2001, and in 2007 adopted the protocol recommended by WHO with triple therapy and exclusive breastfeeding, in order to reduce vertical transmission in the country. Objective - Analyze the performance of the NGO Associação Céu e Terras as the prevention of vertical HIV transmission in the context of Guinea-Bissau. Examine the proposal from the introduction of the new protocol of triple antiretroviral therapy, exclusive breastfeeding, 2007 2011. Method - It is a descriptive study of secondary data from mothers and their children whose women enrolled in the period July 2007 to June 2011 the institution (NGO) Associação Céu e Terras in Bissau, Republic of Guinea-Bissau program. The population studied was composed of 430 HIV-positive women and 417 children born of those mothers who participated in the program to prevent vertical transmission in NGOs. To analyze the occurrence of vertical transmission in this population were analyzed mainly the social, cultural, the adherence to therapy, the type of breastfeeding practiced and route of delivery. For data analysis, we used the SPSS 18.0 program. Result - among 430 pregnant there were 7 cases of maternal deaths and 417 children were born alive, among these, 347 children were tested at final follow up, 328 resulted HIV negative and 19 HIV positive, meaning, the transmission vertical occurred. Of the live births, 11 of them died before reaching 18 months and 13 have died after 18 months of life. It is important to report that 13 cases of fetal death. Conclusions - Among this population during that period, the rate of vertical transmission was 4.6 percent. Amount which well below the estimated by the government. The analysis made for the study period showed a decrease in vertical transmission, have suggested a slight decreasing trend during the semesters studied, but no difference between them. It was also observed failure in adherence to antiretroviral therapy being the main cause of this occurrence in the transmission, on the other hand, the mode of delivery and breastfeeding practiced are strong allies in this occurrence, without forgetting the cultural and social issues strongly present in Guinean society that influence the effectiveness of the program in not further reduce the rate of vertical transmission and spread of HIV in the country

INTRODUÇÃO: A continuidade das elevadas taxas de sífilis congênita (SC) no Brasil é preocupante, apesar do fácil diagnóstico e tratamento. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: descrever características sociodemográficas, clínico-laboratoriais, assistência ao pré-natal e terapêutica específica das gestantes com sífilis; descrever características clínico-laboratoriais, terapêutica específica e desfecho dos recém-nascidos expostos à sífilis; estimar taxa de incidência anual de SC; estimar frequência de SC entre os recém-nascidos e conceptos expostos; identificar fatores associados à ocorrência de SC entre os conceptos e recém-nascidos expostos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 149 gestantes com sífilis e 152 recém-nascidos / conceptos expostos, no município de Itapeva (SP), de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2014. Os casos foram identificados pela Vigilância Epidemiológica (VE) e por busca ativa nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde, Centro Materno Infantil, Serviço de Ambulatório Especializado em Infectologia e Santa Casa de Misericórdia. Foi realizada coleta de dados das fichas de notificação de sífilis em gestante (SG) e SC e de prontuários das gestantes e recém-nascidos. Para avaliar a associação de SC com variáveis de interesse, foram calculadas razões de prevalência (RP) e IC95%. Na análise multivariada foi utilizado modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta com nível de significância de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A média de idade das gestantes foi 24,3 anos. Oito gestantes não fizeram pré-natal, maioria iniciou pré-natal com idade gestacional <= 13 semanas, realizou mais de seis consultas e 97,2% realizou teste não treponêmico; 57% com resultado VDRL > 1:4. O diagnóstico de sífilis foi feito no momento do parto/curetagem em 11,4% das gestantes; no segundo trimestre da gravidez em 20,8% e no terceiro trimestre em 8,7%. Entre as 132 mulheres diagnosticadas durante a gestação, 77,2% recebeu tratamento adequado >= 30 dias antes do parto; 31,7% fizeram o VDRL mensal para controle de cura. Quanto aos parceiros, 48,3% foi tratado inadequadamente ou não tratado. Ocorreram dois abortos e três natimortos. Em relação aos 147 recém-nascidos vivos, 29,9% foram prematuros, 35,4% teve baixo peso e 51% apresentou sinais de SC ao nascer. Somente 132 recém-nascidos realizaram pelo menos um exame VDRL, com resultado positivo em 65,3%; 55,1% dos recém-nascidos receberam tratamento para sífilis, e a maioria (91,4%) iniciou tratamento no dia do nascimento. Ocorreram cinco óbitos por SC. O pesquisador confirmou 101 casos de sífilis congênita, dos quais 62 foram notificados à VE. Dez crianças apresentaram sequelas. As taxas de incidência de SC foram: 15,1/1.000 NV (2010); 12,1/1.000 NV (2011); 15,6/1.000 NV (2012); 9,1/1.000 NV (2013) e 22,3/1000 NV (2014). Na análise bivariada, tabagismo, <6 consultas pré-natal e idade gestacional >=14 semanas ao diagnóstico de sífilis foram associados à ocorrência de SC. No primeiro modelo da análise multivariada, a idade gestacional ao diagnóstico e o tabagismo foram independentemente associados à SC. No segundo modelo, idade gestacional ao diagnóstico, número de consultas no pré-natal e resultado do primeiro VDRL foram independentemente associados à ocorrência de SC. CONCLUSÃO: As taxas de incidência de SC encontradas pelo pesquisado foram maiores que as informadas pela VE. Os resultados sugerem subnotificação de SG e SC / INTRODUCTION: The continuity of high rates of congenital syphilis (CS) in Brazil is worrying, despite simple diagnosis and treatment. This study had the following objectives: To describe socio-demographic characteristics, clinical laboratory results, prenatal assistance and specific therapy of pregnant women with syphilis; To describe clinical-laboratory characteristics, specific therapeutics and outcome of newborns exposed to syphilis; To estimate annual incidence rate of CS; To determine CS frequency among newborns and proved conceptus; and To identify factors associated with the occurrence of CS between the conceptus and exposed newly born. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 149 pregnant women with syphilis and 152 newborns / proved conceptus, in Itapeva (SP), from January 2010 to December 2014. Cases were identified by Epidemiological Surveillance (ES) and by active Basic Health Units, Maternal and Child Center, Specialized Clinic in Infectious Diseases and Santa Casa de Misericórdia. All data were collected from the records of syphilis notification in pregnant women and CS and the records of pregnant women and newborns. To assess the association of CS with variables of interest, prevalence, and 95% confidence interval were calculated. In the multivariate analysis, we used a Poisson Regression Model with robust variance with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of pregnant women was 24.3 years. Eight pregnant women did not get prenatal exams, most started prenatal with gestational age <= 13 weeks, performed more than six medical appointments and 97.2% showed the non-treponemal test; 57% with VDRL result > 1: 4. The diagnosis of syphilis made at the time of childbirth / endometrial curettage was 11.4% of pregnant women; by the second trimester of pregnancy 20.8% and by the third quarter 8.7%. Among the 132 women diagnosed during pregnancy, 77.2% received adequate treatment >= 30 days before delivery; 31.7% did the monthly VDRL for cure control. As for the partners, 48.3% were treated improperly or untreated. There were two miscarriage and three stillbirths. Regarding the 147 live births (LB), 29.9% were premature, 35.4% were underweight, and 51% presented signs of CS at birth. Only 132 newborns performed at least one VDRL test, with a positive result in 65.3%; 55.1% of the newly born received treatment for syphilis, and the majority (91.4%) started treatment on the day of birth. There were five deaths per CS. The investigator confirmed 101 cases of congenital syphilis, of which 62 were notified to the ES. Ten children had sequelae. The incidence rates of CS were: 15.1 / 1000 LB (2010); 12.1 / 1000 LB (2011); 15.6 / 1000 LB (2012); 9.1 / 1000 LB (2013) and 22.3 / 1000 LB (2014). In the bivariate analysis, smoking, = 14 weeks at diagnosis of syphilis was associated with the occurrence of CS. In the first model of multivariate analysis, gestational age at diagnosis and smoking were independently associated with CS. In the second model, gestational age at diagnosis, the number of prenatal appointments, and the outcome of the first VDRL were independently associated with the occurrence of SC. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of CS found by the researcher were higher than those reported by the ES. The results suggest underreporting of syphilis in pregnant women and CS

Introdução: Com o surgimento da epidemia da AIDS na década de 80, vários têm sido os desafios enfrentados pela sociedade, devido à rápida disseminação, em escala global. A epidemia acomete cerca de 34 milhões nos diversos continentes, e segundo a UNAIDS (2012), a maior parcela está em países em desenvolvimento. O continente africano, com mais de 800 milhões de habitantes, em 54 países, é o que mais tem sofrido os impactos da doença, apresentando a maior parcela de infectados pelo vírus HIV no mundo, com cerca de 23,5 milhões de infectados registrados. Assim como globalmente, a preocupação que tem suscitado debates é a crescente feminização dessa epidemia em Guiné-Bissau, aumentando as taxas de transmissão vertical do vírus HIV, que, segundo as últimas projeções do país (PEN III, 2012), o risco estimado foi de 8,9 por cento. O advento do antirretroviral (Zidovudina), em 1994, a partir da publicação do protocolo 076 da ACTG veio mudar o cenário da transmissão vertical. Em Guiné-Bissau, a chegada dos antirretrovirais, em 2006, constituiu uma nova fase na luta contra a disseminação do vírus, em particular, no âmbito da transmissão vertical, proporcionando melhor qualidade de vida e chances de uma criança nascer sem AIDS. A ONG Céu e Terras atua no país desde 2001, e, em julho de 2007, adotou o protocolo recomendado pela OMS: tríplice terapia e amamentação exclusiva, visando à redução da transmissão vertical. Objetivo - Analisar a atuação da ONG Associação Céu e Terras quanto à prevenção da transmissão vertical do vírus HIV no contexto da Guiné-Bissau, a partir da introdução do novo protocolo da tríplice terapia antirretroviral e amamentação exclusiva. Método - É um estudo descritivo de dados secundários de mães e de seus filhos, mães estas inscritas no programa da instituição (ONG) Associação Céu e Terras em Bissau, República da Guiné-Bissau, no período de julho de 2007 a junho de 2011. População estudada: 430 mulheres soropositivas e 417 crianças nascidas vivas dessas mães que participaram do programa de prevenção da transmissão vertical na ONG. Para analisar a ocorrência de transmissão vertical nessa população, foram considerados os fatores sociais, culturais, a aderência à terapia, o tipo de aleitamento praticado e via de parto. Para isso, foi usado o programa SPSS 18.0. Resultado - Entre 430 grávidas, houve 7 casos de óbito materno e 417 crianças nasceram vivas, e destas, 347 foram testadas no final do seguimento: 328 resultaram HIV negativas e 19 resultaram HIV positivas, ou seja, ocorreu a transmissão vertical. Das crianças que nasceram vivas, 11 delas morreram antes de completar 18 meses e 13 foram a óbito depois de 18 meses de vida. É importante relatar que ocorreram 13 casos de óbito fetal, excluídos do estudo, por não ter sido feito teste para diagnóstico de HIV/AIDS. Conclusões - No período estudado, a taxa de transmissão vertical foi de 4,6 por cento, Valor esse bem abaixo da estimada pelo governo do país. A análise feita para o período de estudo mostrou uma diminuição da transmissão vertical, sugerindo uma ligeira tendência de queda durante os semestres estudados, mas sem diferença significante entre eles. Observou-se, também, falha na adesão à terapia antirretroviral, sendo essa a principal causa da ocorrência na transmissão vertical; por outro lado, a via de parto e amamentação praticada são fortes aliados nessa ocorrência, sem esquecer-se das questões culturais e sociais, fortemente presentes na sociedade guineense e que influenciam na não efetivação do programa em reduzir a taxa de transmissão vertical e da disseminação do vírus HIV no país / Introduction: With the emergence of the AIDS epidemic in the decade of the eighties. Around the world, there are several challenges faced by society due to its rapid dissemination in global scale. The epidemic affects approximately 34 million people around the world, according to UNAIDS, the largest portion is observed in third world. The African continent with over 800 million inhabitants, which contains 54 countries, is what most has suffered the impact of the disease presenting the largest portion of HIV patients in the world, with about 23.5 million infected registered. As globally, the concern that has sparked debates is the increasing feminization of the virus in Guinea - Bissau, the country which consequently increased rates of vertical transmission of HIV, which according to recent projections, the risk is estimated at 8.9 percent (PEN III,2012). The advent of antiretroviral (zidovudine) in 1994, from the publication of 076 protocol of the ACTG come to change the scenario of vertical transmission. In Guinea-Bissau, the arrival of antiretrovirals in 2006, marked a new phase in the fight against the spread of the vírus particularly in the context of vertical transmission, providing more life quality and chances of a child born without AIDS. The NGO Associação Céu e Terras acts in the country since 2001, and in 2007 adopted the protocol recommended by WHO with triple therapy and exclusive breastfeeding, in order to reduce vertical transmission in the country. Objective - Analyze the performance of the NGO Associação Céu e Terras as the prevention of vertical HIV transmission in the context of Guinea-Bissau. Examine the proposal from the introduction of the new protocol of triple antiretroviral therapy, exclusive breastfeeding, 2007 2011. Method - It is a descriptive study of secondary data from mothers and their children whose women enrolled in the period July 2007 to June 2011 the institution (NGO) Associação Céu e Terras in Bissau, Republic of Guinea-Bissau program. The population studied was composed of 430 HIV-positive women and 417 children born of those mothers who participated in the program to prevent vertical transmission in NGOs. To analyze the occurrence of vertical transmission in this population were analyzed mainly the social, cultural, the adherence to therapy, the type of breastfeeding practiced and route of delivery. For data analysis, we used the SPSS 18.0 program. Result - among 430 pregnant there were 7 cases of maternal deaths and 417 children were born alive, among these, 347 children were tested at final follow up, 328 resulted HIV negative and 19 HIV positive, meaning, the transmission vertical occurred. Of the live births, 11 of them died before reaching 18 months and 13 have died after 18 months of life. It is important to report that 13 cases of fetal death. Conclusions - Among this population during that period, the rate of vertical transmission was 4.6 percent. Amount which well below the estimated by the government. The analysis made for the study period showed a decrease in vertical transmission, have suggested a slight decreasing trend during the semesters studied, but no difference between them. It was also observed failure in adherence to antiretroviral therapy being the main cause of this occurrence in the transmission, on the other hand, the mode of delivery and breastfeeding practiced are strong allies in this occurrence, without forgetting the cultural and social issues strongly present in Guinean society that influence the effectiveness of the program in not further reduce the rate of vertical transmission and spread of HIV in the country

Mother-to-infant vertical transmission of HIV usually occurs during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. It is the third leading cause of transmission of HIV after sexual intercourse and blood transfusions. In 2008, 12 million women aged 15 years and above were anticipated to be living with HIV in countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the association between parental HIV knowledge, attitudes and risk reduction practices, and HIV vertical transmission in Kenya were explored. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. For this quantitative study, data were collected via surveys from 212 participants in 3 HIV clinics in Kenya. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Around 45% of respondents lacked knowledge on key aspects of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV particularly on expressing and heat treating milk from HIV positive mothers to make it safe for their babies. About 65% of Participants had awareness towards Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Logistic regression showed no association between socioeconomic factors and parental knowledge on MTCT of HIV. Logistic modeling found that there was association between attitude and MTCT, revealing that attitude increased the likelihood to influence MTCT. Being married was associated with reduced risk of MTCT of HIV. The overall results indicated gaps in knowledge and information packaging. The potential positive social change implication of this study is that factors related to HIV vertical transmission identified in this study might be utilized to develop and implement HIV prevention strategies to reduce HIV vertical transmission and decrease associated morbidity and mortality among this vulnerable population.

Abstract Around 3% of pregnant women in Finland have genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection, which can be transmitted from mother to newborn at birth. The risk of transmission has been reported to be 10–70% in vaginal deliveries resulting in conjunctivitis in 10–30% of cases and lower respiratory tract infection in 0–20% of cases. Although usually benign, Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infancy may result in long-term consequences, including conjunctival and corneal scarring, chronic cough and abnormal lung function. Based on the transmission rates published in prior studies, chlamydial conjunctivitis should occur in approximately 200 infants and chlamydial lower respiratory tract infection in 100 infants each year in our country, but in clinical practice we rarely encounter or diagnose infants with Chlamydia trachomatis infections. To investigate the reason for this discrepancy and to improve the recognition of Chlamydia trachomatis-infected infants, we set out to study the risk of vertical transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis in a population-based setting, to describe the typical features of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infants and to evaluate the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in both neonatal conjunctivitis and lower respiratory tract infections in infants. When studying the probability of vertical transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis a search through two national health registers for 1996–2011 yielded 206 children aged less than four years with a possible Chlamydia trachomatis infection. In a cohort of 933 823 births this represented an occurrence of 0.22 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval 0.19–0.25). The risk of vertical transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis leading to a symptomatic infection in infancy was 0.8–1.8%. A review of patient charts to evaluate the typical features of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infants (124/206) revealed that one-third of the infants with chlamydial conjunctivitis (33/124) had spontaneous bloody discharge from the infected eyes. Almost half of the infants with chlamydial lower respiratory tract infection (15/32) had wheezing, but the characteristic staccato cough was not recorded in any of them. The median diagnostic delay from the onset of symptoms was 13 (range 4–374) days for conjunctivitis and 25 (range 10–149) days for lower respiratory tract infection. One neglected child developed bilateral corneal scars due to untreated chlamydial conjunctivitis. To investigate the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in neonatal conjunctivitis, 173 neonates with clinical conjunctivitis at child health clinics were examined prospectively during 2010–2015 and none of the 163 cases tested had chlamydial or gonococcal conjunctivitis (0%; 95% confidence interval 0%–2.2%). Viral conjunctivitis was diagnosed in 8/167 cases (4.8%; 95% confidence interval 2.1%–9.2%) and non-chlamydial bacterial conjunctivitis in 58/160 (36%; 95% confidence interval 29%–44%). To investigate the occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in lower respiratory tract infections, 228 infants aged less than six months with lower respiratory tract infection presenting at the paediatric emergency department of Oulu University Hospital were examined prospectively over a period of a complete epidemiological year. One infant (0.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.01%–2.4%) had lower respiratory tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and another was diagnosed with whooping cough (0.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.01%–2.4%). The majority of the infants with lower respiratory tract infection (203/228) had a respiratory viral infection. It may be concluded that the risk of mother-to-child transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis leading to a clinical illness in the infant in this era of nucleic acid-based diagnostics was less than 2%, which is significantly lower than in earlier studies. The population-based prevalence of neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis in primary care was less than 2% and that of chlamydial lower respiratory tract infection in a hospital setting less than 2.5%. The long-term prognosis for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infancy was good. Common respiratory viruses were detected in 5% of the neonatal conjunctivitis cases. / Tiivistelmä Noin 3 %:lla suomalaisista raskaana olevista naisista on klamydian (Chlamydia trachomatis) aiheuttama sukupuolitauti, joka voi tarttua äidistä lapseen synnytyksessä. Tartuntariskin on raportoitu olevan alatiesynnytyksessä noin 10–70 %. Noin 10–30 % tartunnan saaneista lapsista sairastuu silmätulehdukseen ja 0–20 % keuhkokuumeeseen. Vaikka imeväisten klamydiainfektiot ovat useimmiten lieviä tauteja, imeväisiällä sairastettu klamydiainfektio voi aiheuttaa silmän side- ja sarveiskalvon arpeutumista, pitkittynyttä yskää ja keuhkofunktion alenemaa. Aiempien tutkimusten perusteella arvioimme, että Suomessa sairastuu vuosittain noin 200 imeväistä klamydian aiheuttamaan silmätulehdukseen ja noin 100 imeväistä klamydiakeuhkokuumeeseen. Kliininen kokemuksemme on kuitenkin, että kohtaamme klamydiaa sairastavia imeväisiä varsin harvoin. Tämän ongelman ratkaisemiseksi ja klamydiaa sairastavien imeväisten paremmaksi tunnistamiseksi suunnittelimme tutkimuksen, jonka tarkoituksena on selvittää väestöpohjainen riski klamydian tarttumiselle äidistä vastasyntyneeseen, kuvata imeväisten klamydiainfektioiden tyypilliset piirteet sekä selvittää klamydian osuus imeväisten silmätulehduksissa ja alle kuuden kuukauden ikäisten imeväisten alahengitystieinfektioissa. Klamydian sairastaneet lapset poimittiin kahdesta suomalaisesta terveydenhuoltorekisteristä vuosina 1996–2011. Tuona aikana 206 lasta oli sairastanut mahdollisen klamydiainfektion, joten klamydian ilmaantuvuus oli 0,22/1000:tta elävänä syntynyttä kohti (95 % luottamusväli 0,19–0,25). Väestöpohjainen riski äidin sukupuoliklamydian tarttumiselle vastasyntyneeseen niin että lapselle aiheutuu oireinen infektio oli 0,8–1,8 %. Saatavilla olevien potilasasiakirjojen (124/206) perusteella kolmasosalla (33/124) imeväisistä, jotka sairastivat klamydian aiheuttamaa silmätulehdusta, oli oireena spontaani verinen kyynel- tai rähmäerite. Klamydiakeuhkokuumetta sairastavista puolella (15/32) esiintyi hengityksen vinkumista, mutta klamydiakeuhkokuumeelle tyypillistä hakkaavaa yskää (”staccato-yskä”) ei todettu yhdelläkään imeväisellä. Diagnostinen viive oli verrattain pitkä: 13 päivää (vaihteluväli 4–374) silmätulehduksessa ja 25 päivää (vaihteluväli 10–149) keuhkokuumeessa. Yhdelle laiminlyödylle lapselle kehittyi molemminpuoliset sarveiskalvoarvet hoitamattoman klamydiainfektion seurauksena. Vastasyntyneen silmätulehdustutkimukseen rekrytoitiin 173 alle 30 päivän ikäistä lasta Oulun kaupungin lastenneuvoloissa vuosina 2010–2015. Klamydian tai tippurin aiheuttamaa silmätulehdusta ei todettu yhdelläkään 163:sta tutkitusta vauvasta (0 %; 95 % luottamusväli 0 %–2,2 %). Viruksen aiheuttama silmätulehdus todettiin kahdeksalla vauvalla (4,8 %; 95 % luottamusväli 2,1 %–9,2 %) ja jonkin muun bakteerin kuin klamydian aiheuttama silmätulehdus 58:lla vauvalla (36 %; 95 % luottamusväli 29 %–44 %). Imeväisten alahengitystieinfektiotutkimukseen rekrytoitiin 228 alle kuuden kuukauden ikäistä imeväistä yliopistosairaalan lastenpäivystyksessä yhden epidemiologisen vuoden aikana. Klamydian aiheuttama hengitystieinfektio diagnosoitiin yhdellä imeväisellä (0,4 %; 95 % luottamusväli 0,01 %–2,4 %) ja hinkuyskä niin ikään yhdellä (0,4 %; 95 % luottamusväli 0,01 %–2,4 %). Valtaosalla (203/228) alahengitystieinfektio-oireisista imeväisistä oli viruksen aiheuttama infektio. Yhteenvetona voimme todeta, että klamydia tarttui äidistä lapseen alle 2 %:ssa synnytyksistä, mikä on huomattavasti harvinaisempaa kuin aiemmin on luultu. Klamydian aiheuttamien silmätulehdusten esiintyvyys oli alle 2 % ja alahengitystieinfektioiden alle 2,5 % alueemme lapsiväestössä. Klamydian aiheuttamat pitkäaikaishaitat olivat harvinaisia. Tavallisten hengitystievirusten osuus vastasyntyneiden silmätulehduksissa oli 5 %.

The aim of the study was to determine the factors that influence adherence to ART among adolescents who contracted HIV through vertical transmission. Qualitative research using descriptive phenomenology was conducted at Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence. Data was collected using in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. Eight (8) adolescents between 14 and 19 years who had been on ART for minimum of 4 years were interviewed. Thematic analysis of data was done and five (5) themes emerged from the participants' description of the experience of taking ART over a long period of time. The themes that emerged indicated the factors that influence adherence to ART, and they included knowledge and positive beliefs about ART, need for support, ART difficult treatment regimen, having a regular doctor and psychosocial emotional needs. The findings suggested that the adolescents who contracted HIV through vertical transmission require support while continuing on a simplified long-term ART regimen after an assessment of their psychological well beings and periodic checks. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)