A Cross Section Study to Determine the Prevalence of Antibodies against HIV Infection among Hepatitis B and C Infected Individuals

BACKGROUND: 

There are limited data regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HIV individuals;

METHODS: 

A total of 409 patients (126 HBV+ and 283 HCV+) referred to the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis from 2010 to 2013 donated serum samples. Anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies were measured, and anti-HCV positive samples were tested for viral RNA and genotype;

RESULTS: 

The anti-HIV antibody prevalence was 10.31% and 4.59% among HBV+ and HCV+ patients, respectively. The HCV mean (SD) viral load was log 5.14 ± 1.64 IU/mL, and genotype I was most prevalent (163/283). Anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected in 40% and 26% of HCV+ individuals, respectively. Among the HBV+ population, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with male gender, marital status (married), tattoo, sexual orientation, sexual practices (oral sex and anal sex), history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), history of viral hepatitis treatment, and a sexual partner with hepatitis or HIV. For the HCV+ group, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with female gender, marital status (married), anal intercourse, previous history of STDs, and number of sexual partners;

CONCLUSION: 

A high prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies was found among individuals with HBV and HCV, showing the importance of education programmes towards HIV infection among HBV- and HCV-infected individuals.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/7pJhyw

By:  Flores GL1, de Almeida AJ2, Miguel JC3, Cruz HM4, Portilho MM5, de P Scalioni L6, Marques VA7, Lewis-Ximenez LL8, Lampe E9, Melo Villar L10.

• 1Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. geane@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 2Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. adilsonjoal@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 3Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. julicm@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 4Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. h.medina@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 5Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. moyramp@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 6Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. lescali@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 7Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. vmarques@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 8Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. llewis@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 9Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. elampe@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 10Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. lvillar@ioc.fiocruz.br. 
• Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Mar 11;13(3). pii: E314. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13030314.

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv insight

And: http://twitter.com/Prison Health

Experimentals, Bottoms, Risk-Reducers & Clubbers: Exploring Diverse Sexual Practice in an Internet-Active High-Risk Behaviour Group of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Sweden

This study aimed to identify sub-groups of men who have sex with men at high risk of HIV infection. Data from the Swedish MSM2013 survey were analysed with a focus on respondents (n = 714) who reported having had unprotected anal intercourse with male casual partner(s) in the past 12 months. 

Weighted Latent Class Analysis with covariates and distal outcomes was conducted to identify sub-groups of men sharing the same sexual practice characteristics. Four latent classes emerged: experimentals, bottoms, risk-reducers and clubbers. 

Experimentals appeared to differ most from the other classes. They had extensive experience of barebacking, the use of poppers and fisting. Higher number of casual male sex partners and reporting having HIV were predictors for belonging to experimentals. 

No evidence for an association between self-rated HIV prevention knowledge and taking less part in risky practices was found. Hence, knowledge-intensive interventions may not be the best fit for reducing HIV transmission. 

This diversity of men based on similar sexual practice patterns should be taken into account when designing future HIV prevention interventions.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/bCU6VS

By:  Persson KI1,2, Tikkanen R3, Bergström J4, Berglund T5, Thorson A1, Forsberg BC1.

• 1 Department of Public Health Sciences , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
• 2 Department of Knowledge Development, Unit for Health and Sexuality , Public Health Agency of Sweden , Solna , Sweden.
• 3 Department of Social Work , University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden.
• 4 Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, Unit for Statistics and Surveillance , Public Health Agency of Sweden , Solna , Sweden.
• 5 Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, Unit for Epidemiology and Health Economics , Public Health Agency of Sweden , Solna , Sweden.

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight

And:        http://twitter.com/Prison_Health

Sexual Practices, Myths and Misconceptions among Long distance truck drivers in North India

BACKGROUND:

Long distance truck drivers and helpers constitute a high risk group for HIV/AIDS. Despite increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices, they still have a high incidence of new cases of HIV.

AIMS:

This study carried out at an ART (Anti-retroviral treatment ) centre in North India aimed to evaluate the sexual myths and misconceptions prevalent among long distance drivers and helpers.

METHODS:

Data was collected retrospectively from ART records of 129 long distance Truck drivers and 68 helpers. Details of socio-demographic characteristics, contact with commercial sex workers (CSW'S), pattern of condom usage with CSW'S and factors influencing it were studied.

RESULTS:

We found that a significant number of drivers and helpers had sexual contact with CSW's and out of these, 30% of drivers and 50% of helpers reported not using condoms and instead resorting to methods like washing genitalia after sex with battery water/urine to avoid getting HIV. There was no significant relationship between pattern of condom usage and educational status, marital status and age. We also found that certain myths like sex with young CSW's was less likely to cause sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) and HIV were also widespread.

CONCLUSION:

Owing to continuing prevalence of such sexual myths, long distance truck drivers and helpers do not use condoms while having sex with commercial sex workers(CSW's) as they feel that they can enjoy sex with CSW's and still stay protected against STD's /HIV. It is imperative that this battery water/urine antiseptic myth be specifically targeted for better HIV control in this high risk group.

Purchase full article at:  http://goo.gl/VQ4kck

By:  Sawal N1, Raj Hans GD2, Verma G3.

• 1Junior Resident. Dept. of Medicine. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). drnishitsawal@gmail.com.
• 2Medical Officer. ART Clinic. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). India.
• 3HIV councilor. ART Clinic. Indira Gandhi Medical College - Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). India. 

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight

And: http://twitter.com/Prison_Health