Dlama Nggida Rasmussen

Nonadherence is Associated with Lack of HIV-Related Knowledge: A Cross-Sectional Study among HIV-Infected Individuals in Guinea-Bissau

Background: Poor treatment adherence is a main barrier for effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally. HIV-related knowledge may affect understanding and utilization of HIV medical information, hence limited health literacy is a known barrier to treatment adherence. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 494 HIV-infected individuals from the Bissau HIV Cohort in Guinea-Bissau. They completed a questionnaire designed for assessment of adherence and HIV-related knowledge. Results: A majority were female, 41% were illiterate, 25% did not take the medicine during the last 4 days, and 23% skipped their medicine during weekends. The most frequent reasons for not taking medicine were simply forgetting, side effects, lack of food, and being too ill to attend the clinic. Nonadherent patients had a lower level of HIV-related knowledge. Conclusion: Main barriers for nonadherence were side effects, food insecurity, and simply forgetting. Lack of HIV-related knowledge about ART and HIV may be a barrier to nonadherence.

Barriers and facilitators to antiretroviral therapy adherence among patients with HIV in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: A qualitative study

Adherence is a decisive factor in achieving a successful response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection. No previous studies have been conducted regarding HIV treatment adherence in Guinea-Bissau. In this study we assessed barriers and facilitators to patient ART adherence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 adult, HIV infected individuals receiving ART at a HIV treatment centre in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The grounded theory method was used to gather and analyse data. Results indicated that HIV-related knowledge was a determining factor for optimal adherence. The facilitators were experienced treatment benefits and complementing social networks. The barriers were treatment-related costs and competing livelihood needs; poor clinic infrastructure; perceived stigma; and traditional practices. Our findings indicate that good ART adherence, especially in resource-limited settings, requires that patients achieve adequate HIV-related knowledge. More studies on HIV-related knowledge and adherence among HIV infected individuals are currently needed.

Awareness, attitudes and perceptions regarding HIV and PMTCT amongst pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau– a qualitative study

BackgroundThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major cause of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) strategies have proven effective in decreasing the number of children infected in utero, intrapartum and during the breastfeeding period. This qualitative study explores knowledge and perceptions of HIV amongst pregnant women, healthcare workers’ experiences of the national PMTCT services, and barriers to PMTCT, during a period of programme scale-up in urban Guinea-Bissau (2010–11).MethodsIn-depth interviews were undertaken amongst 27 women and 19 key informants at local antenatal clinics and the national maternity ward in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.ResultsAmongst women who had been tested for HIV, awareness and knowledge of HIV and PMTCT remained low. Testing without informed consent was reported in some cases, in particular when the test was performed around the time of delivery. Possible drivers of inadequate counselling included lack of confidentiality, suboptimal healthcare worker training, lack of time, and perceived occupational risk. Demand-side barriers to PMTCT included lack of HIV and PMTCT knowledge, customary and cultural beliefs associated with HIV and ill-health, HIV stigma and discrimination, and fear of partnership dissolution.ConclusionsSocio-cultural and operational challenges, including HIV testing without informed consent, present significant barriers to the scale-up of PMTCT services in Bissau. Strengthening local capacity for effective counselling and testing in the antenatal setting is paramount. Further research into local customary beliefs relating to HIV is warranted.

The when and how of male circumcision and the risk of HIV: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of two HIV surveys from Guinea-Bissau

Introduction Male circumcision (MC) reduces the risk of HIV, and this risk reduction may be modified by socio-cultural factors such as the timing and method (medical and traditional) of circumcision. Understanding regional variations in circumcision practices and their relationship to HIV is crucial and can increase insight into the HIV epidemic in Africa. Methods We used data from two retrospective HIV surveys conducted in Guinea-Bissau from 1993 to 1996 (1996 cohort) and from 2004 to 2007 (2006 cohort). Multivariate logistical models were used to investigate the relationships between HIV risk and circumcision status, timing, method of circumcision, and socio-demographic factors. Results MC was protective against HIV infection in both cohorts, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of 0.28 (95% CI 0.12-0.66) and 0.30 (95% CI 0.09-0.93), respectively. We observed that post-pubertal (≥13 years) circumcision provided the highest level of HIV risk reduction in both cohorts compared to non-circumcised. However, the difference between pre-pubertal (≤12 years) and post-pubertal (≥13 years) circumcision was not significant in the multivariate analysis. Seventy-six percent (678/888) of circumcised males in the 2006 cohort were circumcised traditionally, and 7.7% of those males were HIV-infected compared to 1.9% of males circumcised medically, with AOR of 2.7 (95% CI 0.91-8.12). Conclusion MC is highly prevalent in Guinea-Bissau, but ethnic variations in method and timing may affect its protection against HIV. Our findings suggest that sexual risk behaviour and traditional circumcision may increases HIV risk. The relationship between circumcision age, sexual behaviour and HIV status remains unclear and warrants further research.

Political instability and supply-side barriers undermine the potential for high participation in HIV testing for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Guinea-Bissau: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Background The World Health Organization recommends HIV testing is included in routine screening tests for all pregnant women in order to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Objectives To assess the proportion of women approached and tested for HIV at delivery and factors associated with non-testing at the maternity ward of the Simão Mendes National Hospital (HNSM) in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study among women presenting for delivery from June 2008 until May 2013. During the study period, national policy included opt-out HIV-testing at delivery. Modified Poisson regression models were used to examine the association of maternal characteristics with HIV testing. Time trends were determined using Pearson’s χ2 test. Results Seventy-seven percent (24,217/31,443) of women presenting for delivery were counselled regarding PMTCT, of whom 99.6% (24,107/24,217) proceeded with HIV testing. The provision of opt-out HIV testing at labour increased from 38.1% (1,514/3973) in 2008 to 95.7% (2,021/2,113) in 2013, p<0.001. There were four distinct periods (two or more consecutive calendar months) when less than 50% of women delivering at HNSM were tested. Periods of political instability were significantly associated with not testing for HIV (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] 1.79; 95% CI 1.73–1.84), as was a lower educational status (APR 1.05; 95% CI 1.00–1.10), admission during evenings/nights (APR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01–1.09) and on Sundays (APR 1.14; 95% CI 1.07–1.22) and Mondays (APR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05–1.19). Conclusions Rapid scale-up of PMTCT HIV testing services and high testing coverage was possible in this resource-limited setting but suffered from regular interruptions, most likely because of test stock-outs. Establishing proper stock management systems and back-up plans for periods of political instability is required to ensure the maintenance of health system core functions and increase health system resilience.

Caught in a Generation Gap: A Generation Perspective on Refugees Getting Old in Denmark-A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Older non-Western migrants in Europe are a vulnerable population, due to old age and multiple disadvantages related to language barriers and different understandings of care, health, and disease. Our aim was to gain a better understanding and insight into the care needs of families with refugee background Method: The study was designed as a qualitative exploration using semistructured individual interviews and family group interviews. Results: The results illustrate how vulnerability can “transmit” from one family member to another. Discrepancies between the older person’s expectations and needs and society’s expectations trap family members in ethical and moral dilemmas. This divides and stresses the family and results in difficult decision making, increased stress, and vulnerability. Conclusion and Implication: Migration and displacement can lead to ambivalent feelings among younger relatives regarding their role in caring for older relatives. Health professionals need to address and acknowledge this to be able to provide culturally congruent health care.