Introduction. The demand for comprehensive Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) services is greater than the available supply, particularly for the provision of antiretroviral therapy. The resulting bottleneck in service delivery has considerable implications for people living with HIV and for resource management. Aim. The purpose of this research was to investigate loss-to-care and associated variables of adult HIV-infected people who were eligible for antiretroviral therapy, from July 2004 to December 2007 at Sinikithemba HIV Clinic in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Methods. An observational descriptive and analytic cohort study design was used. Secondary data sourced from Sinikithemba were collated. All HIV-infected adults, 15 years and older when registered on the TrakCare database, who were eligible for antiretroviral therapy were included in the study. Data were extracted to describe the preparation of HIV infected adults who were eligible for antiretroviral therapy. Variables were first summarised and described before the confirmatory analytic steps were taken to measure associations at the p<0.05 significance level. Results. Of the 10 424 HIV-infected adults registered at Sinikithemba, 5470 (52%) were eligible for antiretroviral therapy from July 2004 to December 2007 and 2979 (54%) of these were lost to care prior to initiating antiretroviral therapy. Six exposure variables were significantly associated with this loss-to-care, (gender, baseline CD4 count, pre-eligibility care, antiretroviral therapy delay, preparation step and waiting time). These variables remained significantly associated with loss-to-care even after controlling for confounding with logistic regression. Discussion and Recommendations. With the rapid scale-up of antiretroviral therapy programmes, the outcome of those people living with HIV lost to care before commencing therapy have not been adequately documented. This large cohort enrolled over three-and-a-half years demonstrates that the loss-to-care prior to initiation of antiretroviral therapy is a significant problem that needs to be further investigated. Focusing retention strategies at the pre-antiretroviral therapy stage of HIV care will improve overall programme outcomes. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Thesis (Dr.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-126).

Thesis (MMed) -- Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Bibliography / Objective: The objective of this retrospective cohort study is to assess whether demographic and anthropometric parameters, laboratory tests, co-morbidity, co-infection, treatment regimen, IRIS and adherence to treatment predict the expected response to HAART and differences if any, in the pattern of response as measured by CD4 count, weight gain and haemoglobin levels in two cohorts of patients in Roma, The Kingdom of Lesotho. Method: Data were collected randomly from a computerised database of the Antiretroviral Centre of the hospital and two cohorts of 151 subjects in each of the two arms of the study were identified from hospital records from January 2008. Each of these subjects was followed up over a period of 12 months with data obtained for at least 2 visits within the 12 month span. Data were obtained at baseline, 3 months and also at 6 and 12 months marks. Data on characteristics were compared between the two arms. Variables that may be potential confounders were identified and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to establish differences independent of confounding factors for the combined endpoints as well as for each endpoint separately. Results: In all 302 patients had their records analysed and comparison of clinical and immunological response patterns in patients taking AZT and TDF-containing ART regimens and the possible prediction of which the regimen would be better and within which population. Despite the perceived mismatch between two NRTIs it can be concluded from the results of this study that, overall, the inclusion of AZT in treatment regimen showed a modest protective effect over the TDF counterpart as measured by the endpoints of the discriminative powers of the Receiver Operating Curves of the explanatory variables being 66% , 77% and 66% for CD4, Haemoglobin and Weight respectively, and 63%, 70% and 65% for the same variables in the AZT and TDF arms of the study respectively. Conclusion: In a population of HIV patients on treatment in resource-limited settings AZT-containing regimens appear to show a slight improvement over the TDF-containing ones.

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The results of pharmacotherapy can vary both within and between different populations and ethnic groups. Although numerous factors are believed responsible for observed discrepancies in drug response, genetic differences, most often in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), between individuals and ethnic groups are an important and at times predominant factor. The response to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection is not dissimilar. Marked variations in both ARV efficacy and occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been observed on both an individual and ethnic group level, which are largely attributed to polymorphisms within genes involved in the metabolism and transport of these compounds – such genes include the CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 genes, both members of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene superfamily, and the multidrug-resistance 1 (MDR1) gene encoding an efflux transporter protein, phosphoglycoprotein (PGP). An improved understanding of the genetic influences on ARV drug response could lead to improved therapies with fewer side-effects and minimised drug resistance. The main aim of this study was thus to investigate the genetic basis of observed differences in ARV therapy (ART) response in South African ethnic groups. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples were collected from 206 HIV-positive individuals of Mixed-Ancestry and Xhosa ethnicity that were currently or prospectively receiving ART. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was employed to screen the A-392G SNP in CYP3A4, the G516T and A785G SNPs in CYP2B6, and the T-129C, C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T SNPs in MDR1. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and haplotype analyses were subsequently performed on the resultant SNP genotype and ...

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impact of HIV/AIDS has affected all categories of people in society, including children under the age of five. This segment of the population depends entirely on adults and older children in order for them to survive. This research endeavoured to investigate the extent to which under-five HIV positive children access ART in Siavonga District in the Southern Province of Zambia. The necessity of such information for all cannot be over-emphasised as this category of the population under study is among the most neglected when it comes to issues of HIV/AIDS. Under-five HIV positive children need special attention in order for them to enjoy their right to survival and development. In terms of methodology, the research took an interpretive approach as it employed the qualitative methodology in its endeavours, in order to get an in-depth understanding of people’s views on the topic under research. Different interview schedules were used to collect data from community members, Community Health Workers (CHW), Home-based Care Providers (HBCP), staff of the Ministry of Health and District AIDS Task Force (DATF). The findings of this research addressed all the objectives but one. This research revealed that almost all the community members in Siavonga District had general knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the need for under-five HIV positive children accessing antiretroviral therapy. However, their attitudes and practices varied when it came to the application of this knowledge. According to respondents, the major challenges that under-five HIV positive children were facing when it came to accessing ART were as follows: food insecurity, followed by access to health facilities and social matters. Others included stigma and discrimination, long distances to health facilities, inadequate disposable income at household level and negative attitudes by some people who think that it is a waste of time and resources to give too much attention, including ART to under-five HIV positive children whom according to them will die soon. However, the majority of respondents indicated that there was need to accept these children like any other as they too had the right to live; hence, they needed care and support which included facilitating their access to ART. This research was an eye opener to all duty bearers to recognize and acknowledge the importance of under-five HIV positive children’s access to ART. This will contribute towards enhancing the will to step up efforts for this intervention. From the findings, it is evident that there is need for income generating activities to provide disposable income to people of Siavonga District so that they give appropriate support, particularly to children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, more resources are required from NGOs, government and other stakeholders to enhance not only sensitization on the importance of the target population’s access to ART, but also provision of these ART services. All relevant stakeholders should heed the call to aggregate information for under-five HIV positive children in question so as to specially target interventions accordingly. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die impak van MIV/Vigs raak alle kategoriee van mense in die samelewing, insluitende kinders jonger as vyf jaar oud. Die segment van die bevolking is heeltemal afhanklik van volwassenes en ouer kinders om te oorleef. Hierdie navorsing poog om die omvang van kinders jonger as vyf, wie MIV positief is, se toegang tot antiretrovirale terapie (ART) in die Siavonga Distrik van die suidelike provinsie van Zambia te ondersoek. Die noodsaaklikheid van sodanige inligting vir alle sektore in die samelewing kan nie oorbeklemtoon word nie, aangesien hierdie kategorie van die bevolking een van die mees verwaarloosde is wanneer dit kom by MIV/Vigs verwante kwessies. Kinders jonger as vyf wie MIV positief is, moet spesiale aandag ontvang sodat hulle reg op oorlewing en ontwikkeling kan geskied. In terme van die metodologie het die navorsing ‘n beskrywende benadering gevolg om die kwalitatiewe metode in sy poging, ten einde ‘n in-diepte begrip van mense se standpunte oor die onderwerp onder navorsing te kry. Verskillende onderhoude is gebruik om data in te samel van gemeenskapslede, gesondheidswerkers in die gemenskap, tuisversorgers, personeel van die Ministerie van Gesondheid en Distriks vigs-taakspan. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing het al die doelwitte, behalwe een, aangespreek. Die navorsing het getoon dat byna al die gemeenskapslede in Siavonga Distrik algemene kennis het oor MIV/Vigs en die behoefte van kinders jonger as vyf se toegang tot ART. Hul houdings en praktyke verskil egter in die toepassing van hierdie kennis. Volgens die respondente is die grootste uitdagings wat kinders jonger as vyf ondervind wanneer dit kom by toegang tot ART is voedselonsekerheid, gevolg deur toegang tot gesondheidsfasiliteite en sosiale aangeleenthede. Ander sluit in stigma, diskriminasie, lang afstande na gesondheidsfasiliteite, onvoldoende besteebare inkomste op huishoudelike vlak en negatiewe houdings van sommige mense wat dink dat dit ‘n vermorsing van tyd en hulpbronne is om aan kinders jonger as vyf te spandeer, aangesien, die kinders in elk geval (volgens hulle) binnekort sal sterf.Die meerderheid van die respondente het aangedui dat dit nodig is om hierdie kinders soos enige ander kind te aanvaar en dat hulle ook die reg het om te leef: daarom dat hulle sorg en ondersteuning benodig, wat die fasilitering van hul toegang tot ART insluit. Hierdie navorsing het weer die klem geplaas op die belangrikheid van kinders jonger as vyf se toegang tot ART. Dit is duidelik dat daar ‘n behoefte is aan inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite en om besteebare inkomste aan die mense van Siavonga Distrik te voorsien, sodat hulle toepaslike ondersteuning kan bied, veral aan kinders wat deur MIV/Vigs geraak word. Verder is meer hulpbronne nodig van nie-regeringsorganisasies, die regering en ander belanghebbendes, nie net om die belangrikheid van die teikenbevolking se toegang tot ART nie, maar ook vir voorsiening van hierdie ATR dienste.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent the availability of antiretroviral treatment has influenced sexual risk behavior practices in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in order to provide suggestions to improve HIV prevention messages. The study was conducted among adult HIV patients on ART aged 18 and above and affiliated to the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) in Lusaka District. A purposive sampling method was used to select study units and a sample of 40 was selected. Data was collected from participants using a self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 20 software computer package was used to analyze data. Chi- square was used to measure associations between dependent variables (risky sexual behavior and initiation of ART) and the independent variable (duration of time on ART). With the confidence interval set at 95%, the P value was used to ascertain the degree of significance by using the decision rule which rejects the null hypothesis if P value is equal or less than 0.05. The findings revealed that the participant's mean age was 2.8 ± 1.3 SD. More than half (68%, n=27) of the participants had adequate knowledge on HIV prevention while 90% (n=36) of participants had a good (positive) attitude towards ART. 82.5% (n=33) of the participants on ART had sexual intercourse in the last 6 month, and 21.2% (n=7) of these did not use a condom for secondary prevention. There was no significant correlation between being on ART and having sexual intercourse, condom usage or number of sexual partners OR (P value of 0.45 and 0.85), (P values 0.37 and 0.5) and (P value 0.34 and 0.57) respectively. In multivariable analysis, the majority of the respondents (35.5%, n=11) indicated that continued sensitization would improve HIV prevention messages to support communities affected. Few (29%, n=9) stated that: "promoting abstinence among the youths or use of a condom for those that are sexually active and intensifying VCT campaign would reduce HIV transmission" and 7% (n=2) of the respondents suggested that; "involving the families and communities affected, civic, religious, and traditional leaders to educate both the young and adult citizens in schools, colleges and churches to support PLWH and fight against HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za iii A significant association was not found between an increase in risky sexual behavior or an upsurge in the occurrence of unprotected sex, initiation of ART and duration of being on ART. The majority (83%, n=15) of the respondents on ART for less than sixty months had protected sexual intercourse and 73% (n=11) on ART for sixty months and above also used protection. This association was statistically not significant (Chi-square value 2.95. P value > 0.05). However; other studies need to explore these subjective interpretations further. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie beskikbaar

Nurses are prone to occupational hazards while carrying out their professional duties. The HIV-related post exposure prophylaxis is recommended for health workers who prick themselves accidentally with needles that have been used on clients. The taking of antiretroviral drugs after encountering needle stick injury has been documented by medical scientists as relatively successful in preventing sero-conversion and decreasing the likelihood of contracting HIV infection. However, some of the nurses are reluctant to implement this programme and yet they have been exposed to needle stick prick. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors contributing to nurses’ poor utilization of HIV-related post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at a selected region in Swaziland. The study was conducted in one hospital setting and one public health unit. A quantitative research design using an exploratory, descriptive cross sectional survey was used for this study. A census sample size of 200 participants was obtained from a group of nurses working in the government hospital and public health units. Using self-administered questionnaires, quantitative data was obtained and analysed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23 software computer program. The study findings revealed that though majority of nurses (65%) are knowledgeable about PEP, its importance and operational policies and guidelines, this knowledge level was not transferred to influence the utilization of PEP as only 38% (n=75) reported utilizing PEP. Factors identified as causes of lower levels of PEP service utilization among respondents included fear of undergoing pre-prophylaxis procedures like HIV testing and counselling, and consequences thereof which include stigma, challenges of adherence and dealing with medication side effects. Based on these findings the researcher recommends strengthening of staff development programs offered to nurses with focus on preventive measures against occupational exposure to HIV and AIDS through use of PEP. Institutional responsibility to ensure that PEP policies and guidelines are available and known by all new health personnel during induction and practicing nurses throughout their employment. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

HIV-positive adolescents are an increasingly numerous and challenging population in the South African HIV/AIDS epidemic. Their access to, and retention in, ART care has become a pressing public health concern. Comprised of four journal articles, this thesis explores the practice of antiretroviral treatment (ART) among a cohort of HIV-positive adolescents (age 10-19) in South Africa's Eastern Cape. By 'practice', I mean the volatile, situated and relational 'work' that goes into young people's everyday achievement of ART - into consuming daily medication, regularly attending health appointments, and participating in HIV programmes. Through an exploration of the ways in which some HIV-positive adolescents use, appropriate, or reject ART care; this thesis contributes to a much-needed evidence-base on the needs and survival strategies of adolescent ART users. Data for this study was gathered through eight months of multi-method ethnographic fieldwork with 23 HIV-positive youth, their families, and local health workers. The findings elucidate adolescent ART as a complex (and often volatile) form of social incorporation, through which young people negotiate survival, care and moral connection in contemporary South Africa. Enrolling in ART meant being encompassed into a (often hierarchical) set of social relationships, through which adolescents sought belonging, recognition and protection, amid profound insecurity. Through ART and its associated programmes, adolescents and their families attempted to strengthen familial ties, appeal to powerful patrons, petition for care, and access basic resources. Yet these pursuits were often deeply ambivalent, as discipline, blame, and resentment often came encased in the terms of care. At the crux of each article is an attempt to understand how adolescents, often alongside their families, negotiated both the social stakes and possibilities of ART. Through these discussions, we might better be able to grasp the fragility and complexity of young people's retention in ART.

The questionnaire text in English, Afrikaans and Native language / The aim of the study was to minimise non-adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment amongst HIV/AIDS adult patients at a hospital in Namibia thereby promoting successful outcomes in patients on ARV treatment. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 112 non-adherent adults. Data collection was through structured interviews and patients’ records review. Data analysis was by descriptive statistics. Rate of non-adherence was 36.7%. Characteristics common in the sample were, being a woman, age of 31-45 years, being unmarried, low educational status, lack of HIV status disclosure, feeling that taking ARVs reminded one of HIV and experience of ARV side effects. Reasons for missed doses included forgetting, alcohol use, access to care, work commitments, lack of food, stress and travelling. Of the respondents, 86.6% had unsupressed viral loads. Recommendations include use of reminders, automated SMS, establishing treatment supporters and collaborative efforts in reducing active substance use to improve adherence. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of virologic monitoring frequencies on treatment failure, adherence to therapy, and the emergence of drug resistance in HIV-1 infected patients. A quantitative, meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the virologic outcomes of infrequent and frequent Viral Load (VL) testing among patient on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Data was collected through a self-designed data collection form. Two comparison groups emerged being guided by the VL monitoring frequency. In group I, the health outcomes were compared for (≥3 VLs per year) versus (≤2 VLs per year) and (2 VLs per year) versus (≤1 VLs per year) for group II. Data were analysed using the Cochrane's statistical software, RevMan v5.3. The findings support (2 VLs per year) as the optimal VL monitoring strategy for stable and virologically suppressed patients and there is nothing to be gained by (≥3 VLs per year). / Health Studies / M.P.H.