Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Oct 2020
Association between HIV stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among adults living with HIV: baseline findings from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to viral suppression for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and is critical for both individual health and reducing onward HIV transmission. HIV stigma is a risk factor that can undermine adherence. We explored the association between HIV stigma and self-reported ART adherence among PLHIV in 21 communities in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and the Western Cape of South Africa. ⋯ HIV stigma was associated with poor ART adherence. Roll-out of universal treatment will see an increasingly high proportion of PLHIV initiated on ART. Addressing HIV stigma could make an important contribution to supporting lifelong ART adherence.
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Jul 2020
Meta AnalysisEffectiveness of vaginal microbicides in preventing HIV transmission.
To evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides in preventing HIV transmission in women. ⋯ The long-acting intravaginal ring containing dapivirine significantly reduced risk of HIV transmission in women by 29%. The remaining microbicides had no evident effect.
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Jul 2020
Meta AnalysisSystematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption among adults in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar.
To estimate the pooled prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption (STC) by gender and location in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar and to identify periodic changes in STC prevalence using data extracted from published studies. ⋯ The prevalence of STC in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar is highest in rural areas and among men. Public health prevention strategies are needed to maintain decrease in STC in Bangladesh and India, and to reverse the increased use in Myanmar.
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Trop. Med. Int. Health · Jul 2020
Micro-elimination of hepatitis C through testing of Egyptian pregnant women presenting at delivery: implications for screening policies.
Despite the high burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt, screening of pregnant women is not yet universal, making national and global elimination unlikely. This study assessed the proportion of pregnant women who were screened for HCV infection at delivery, the prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection, the associated adverse neonatal outcomes, and the real-life linkage to care of infected women and follow-up of their infants' HCV status and timing of testing. ⋯ Extending screening services to all pregnant women and better linkage to care are essential for the national elimination of HCV infection.