4^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs October 03-05, 2016 Orlando, Florida, USA

Biography:

Elizabeth Secord is a Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University, Children's Hospital of Michigan, USA. She is the Medical Director of the horizons adolescent and youth prevention and treatment program and the project challenge pediatric HIV prevention and treatment program in Detroit. She is also the Medical Director for the youth based STI prevention and treatment program for the city of Detroit. Her clinic continues to conduct multiple studies for HIV prevention and treatment through ATN, other networks and local research efforts.

Abstract:

Perinatal HIV infection was first identified in the mid 1980's, but adequate treatments were not identified and implemented until the 1990's. The incidence of perinatal HIV did not decline until after the perinatal HIV transmission study demonstrating effectiveness of Zidovudine in preventing maternal to fetal transmission. Children with HIV who survived have to cope with many situations that are unique to them as teens and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV. They have often been raised by family that stepped in when their own parents died from HIV. They sometimes have cognitive impairment from their HIV, which was not treated adequately in early childhood. They often have acquired resistance from poor adherence throughout preadolescence and adolescence. They often have increased risk during their pregnancies compared to their peers. And all of the usual adolescence issues associated with chronic illness also occur in this population. The workshop will be a case based discussion addressing adherence, medication resistance and life skills in this very unique population of youth. It will also discuss disclosure issues and unique support systems.

Biography:

Charbell Miguel Haddad Kury, a Medical Doctor and Professor of Medicine, graduated from the Medical School of the Municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2003. He is expert in Public Health, from the Medicine School of Campos dos Goytacazes, in 2004. He is Pediatrician infectious disease specialist from the Jesus Hospital, Rio de Janeiro in 2007. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics of the Medicine Schools of Campos dos Goytacazes and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has a Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology and Parasitology from the Fluminense Federal University, in 2013. He is a Pediatrician and Neonatologist of the St. John the Baptist Hospital, Municipality of Macaé, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, since 2005 and Coordinator of Immunization and Health Surveillance of the Municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, since 2009. He did research on immunization programs, once the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes implemented the largest immunization program.

Abstract:

The treatment of patients living with HIV/AIDS is not just the simple act of providing drugs and medical supervision, but fundamentally the act of rescuing the feeling of self-love and the fight against prejudice. Thus, the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, located within the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has a municipal program of patient care with a multidisciplinary strategy that involves not only the work of health professionals, but also to alternative strategies such as: The Health Strategy at school; The home support to HIV/AIDS patient and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These provide support and recovery of citizenship of the users. However, much remains to be done to fight prejudice, and this action is not only the responsibility of government, but also the alignment of all social actors.

Biography:

William Hanna has completed his PhD from the University of Illinois postdoctoral studies from Northwestern University. He is currently the Director of Assay Development, at CY Molecular Diagnostics in San Diego, CA. He has published papers in reputed journals, is listed on several patents, and has been in the diagnostics industry for nearly 20 years.

Abstract:

According to The Guardian “ZIKA VIRUS’s spread in Brazil continues, but where else is in danger?” (2016), 1.5 million people have been infected with the virus in Brazil, and more than 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly. Zika is confirmed to cause a negative impact on fetal development, which leads to microcephaly, and damage to the neurological system in adults. Detecting Zika with serological assays that detect specific IgM or IgG against Zika are only useful later in the disease, while RT-PCR can detect the viral RNA sooner and more specifically since there is significant cross-reactivity between Flavivirus serology. Direct detection of Zika is possible from samples by utilizing RT-PCR to amplify Zika RNA. Real Time-PCR for detection and quantitation of specific amplicons has been achieved using quencher and dye labeled oligo probes (QDOPs). The QDOP has a fluorescent reporter dye at 5’-end and a quencher at the 3’-end. When the closed QDOP is excited by irradiation the reporter fluorescence is greatly reduced by quenching through the process of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. When the QDOP hybridizes to the target, the stem loop opens the reporter dye, with the quencher dye, thus increasing the reporter dye fluorescence intensity.

Biography:

Narendra Kumar Chopra has completed his Doctor of Medicine from MS University, India in year 1986. Subsequently he has completed his Fellowship in Tropical Medicine from London and WHO Fellowship in Leprosy Control in countries of South East Asia and Africa. He was awarded Melville Christian Memorial Award and Gold Medal in year 1995 for outstanding research in field of Leprosy. He was also awarded Rashtriya Gaurav Award in field of infectious diseases at national level. He has published more than 18 papers in reputed journals. Presently he is working as a Clinical Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, SEGI University, Clinical Campus Hospital Sibu (Sarawk) Malaysia.

Abstract:

The prospective study carried out for detecting HIV prevalence in 400 cases of STD attending Shanti ID clinic at Vadodara, Gujarat, India. All cases were screened for HIV status by ELISA and Western blot test. Out of 400 cases, 317 (79.23%) were males and 83 cases (20.75%) were females. 300 cases (75.00%) were in age group of 20-50 years, 34 cases (8.55%) were 0-20 years, 66 cases (16.25%) were above 50 years. Out of 400 cases 87 (21.75%) were syphilis, 45 cases (11.25%) were chancroid, 73 cases (18.25%) gonorrhoea, 110 cases (27.50%) herpes genitalis, 11 cases (2.75%) mollscum contagiosam, 44 cases (11%) genital scabies, 9 cases (22%) cytomegalovirus infection and 21 cases (5.24%) were having lymphogranuloma venerium. Out of 400 STD cases 67 cases (16.75) were HIV positive, amongst which 61 cases (91.04%) were HIV1 and remaining 6 cases (8.96%) were HIV2. Maximum number of STD cases was confirmed in age group of 20-50 years more in male than females, indicating high prevalence of STD in young adult population. The present study indicates screening of HIV test must be done in every STD case. The study concludes incidence of HIV is high in STD cases. Our study confirmed incidence of 67 cases of HIV positive (16.75%) and HIV1 (91.04%) is more common than HIV2.

Biography:

Nahom Tesfaluul Negassi is currently an Assistant Lecturer as well as Member of Research and Postgraduate Program in Asmara College of Health Sciences, Asmara Eritrea since 4 years. He is currently pursuing Masters in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China.

Abstract:

Background: In resource poor countries like Ethiopia the survival of patients treated with ART depends on a variety of factors, which might vary greatly with economic, demographic, behavioral and health risk factors. However, factors affecting survival in Ethiopia are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to determine causes of mortality in adult HIV-positive patients receiving highly active anti retroviral treatment (HAART) in Dilla Referral Hospital.

Methods: The medical records of 1391 ART patients who enrolled at Dilla Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed and socio-demographic, clinical, behavioral and immunological data were collected. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure risk of death and identify the independent predictors of mortality.

Result: Out of 1391 cohorts of adults ART patients 1081 (77.7%) were alive and continued their treatment in the hospital, 128 (9.2%) were reported dead, 111 (8%) were transfer out and 71 (5.1%) were lost follow up. The probability of remaining alive and on treatment after 60 months of follow up was 89.3% for TB/HIV patients and 91.1% for HIV only infected patients. HIV patients who developed TB had shorter survival time than not developed TB. Death occurred 26% and 52% in the first 3 and 12 months of ART initiation respectively. The overall incidence rate of mortality during ART treatment was 3.5 per 100 person year observations (PYO). In multivariate analysis low body weight BMI <18.5 kg/m² (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.39-7.76, P<0.0001), CD4 count less than 50 cells/mm³ (HR 4.55, 95% CI 1.19-8.44, p<0.002), anemia, WHO clinical stage III and IV, drug addiction and presence of active TB infection were predictor of survival and statistically significant association with mortality in HIV patients under ART follow up.

Conclusion: The presence of lower baseline CD4-cell, TB infection, WHO clinical stage III and IV, lower body weight, anemia and drug addiction were factors associated with mortality among ART clients. Improving nutritional status, prevention and control of TB and other opportunistic infections were the recalled recommendations to decrease AIDS-related morality. These determinants should be taken into account by health care providers to enhance better clinical outcomes of ART attendees.

Biography:

Adele Munsami is Research Psychologist who has completed a Masters in Research Psychology. She is a PhD candidate at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where she will be exploring HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. She is currently based at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), as a behavioral researcher and a study coordinator, under the guidance of Dr. Kogieleum Naidoo, who is a leading researcher in the field of TB-HIV research.

Abstract:

Consistent condom use is protective against HIV transmission. Despite this, consistent condom use among HIV infected patients remains suboptimal. In a secondary analysis of SAPiT trial data, we assessed the impact of ART initiation and knowledge of HIV status on condom use over time (condom use behaviour reported during interviews conducted 6 monthly over 24 months) and consistent condom use (condom use reported at last sex act at all 6 monthly interviews conducted at 6-24 months). Among N=642 patients enrolled, 45.8% (294/642 were previously known HIV positive, 50.5% (324/642) tested HIV positive recently, and 3.7% (24/642) had missing data. At baseline, 59.2% (174/294) of patients with previous pre-trial knowledge of their HIV status (previously known HIV positive) and 46.3% (150/324) of patients that tested positive at study entry (recently known positive) reported condom use at last sex act, respectively (p = 0.002). At 6, 12, 18 and 24 months follow-up 78.3% (173/221), 83.5% (172/206), 81.4% (162/199), 83.5% (167/200) in the previously known positive, (p < 0.001), and 81.3% (174/214), 85% (170/200), 84.6% (165/195), 86% (160/186) in recently known positive (p < 0.001) patients reported condom use at last sex act, respectively. Reports of consistent condom use in previously known positive vs. recently known positive patients was 41.8% (123/294) and 36.7% (119/324) (p = 0.216), respectively. Despite an increase in condom use following study initiation, levels of use achieved, remains suboptimal for effective HIV prevention from known HIV infected individuals. These findings have implications for targeted HIV prevention messaging within ART-treatment-programmes.

Biography:

Simon Kang ethe is currently working as a professor at University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

Abstract:

The fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic in South Africa has proved difficult because of the state of stigmatization that the pandemic has ushered in. The objective of this paper is to discuss the undesirable effects of stigmatization and possible measures to address the phenomenon in South Africa. The paper has used extensive review of literature to generate debates and discourses on stigmatization. Findings indicate that stigmatization is still pervasive and prevalent due to communities being subjected to different and conflicting truths on HIV and AIDS from both traditional and the bio-medical practitioners; poor policy and campaign conceptualization at nascent stages of the campaign making the disease looks mysterious and fearful and inadequate community education on stigma and stigmatization. The paper recommends increased political goodwill, massive community mobilization and sensitization campaigns especially on stigma and stigmatization, benchmarking the campaign strategies with other model countries that have tackled stigma and taking advantage of South Africa’s idol personalities in the campaign who have overcome stigmatization.

Biography:

Margaret Nassim Jahangir is a Clinician working with the Kenyan Ministry of Health. She serves as an In-Charge of the HIV Clinic. She has over five years’ experience in HIV/AIDS management and runs a mentorship program in the hospital. She has obtained her Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery from KMTC, Mombasa. She is the Founder of Connect to Retain C.B.O, a community based organization that promote the wellbeing of youths infected with HIV in Kilifi County, Kenya. She is an alumnus of the Mandela Washington fellowship from Tulane University, Louisiana state, a flagship program by the president of United State of America.

Abstract:

Background: Despite scale up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, patients continue to initiate ART at an advanced stage of HIV infection, leading to poor outcomes.

Method: A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data from the HIV clinic at Kilifi County Hospital was done. Adults (≥15 years) initiated ART during 2008-2013 were included. The primary outcome was late ART initiation, defined as a baseline CD4 T-cell count of ≤100 cells/µL at ART initiation. Logistic regression was used to describe risk factors of late ART initiation.

Results: Overall, 1112 (female, n=790 [71.0%]; mean age, 37.5 [SD, 10.3] years) individuals were initiated ART during 2008-2013. The mean CD4 count at initiation was 211 [SD, 212]. Nearly a third (n=346 [31.1%]) initiated ART late. In multivariate analyses, male gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio, [95% C.I.], p-value: 1.5 [1.1-2.1] p=0.014), WHO Staging (stage IV vs. stage I; 4.6 [2.3-8.9], p<0.001), severe malnutrition (BMI<16 vs. BMI>18.5; 4.9 [3.0-7.8], p<0.001) and pre-ART duration (<6 months vs. >12 months: 2.7 [1.8-4.1] p<0.001) were associated with late ART initiation.

Conclusion: Findings show that about 1/3 of patients are initiating ART late. Patients who initiated ART<6 months after enrolment were more likely to have advanced HIV infection, suggesting that the clinic is succeeding in initiating ART rapidly but failing to catch patients early for enrolment into care. Men are particularly at risk and more needs to be done. Findings also emphasize use of malnutrition and advanced clinical staging as indicators to target sick patients for ART initiation, rather than waiting for CD4 testing.

Biography:

Fasika Esatu has completed her Master’s degree from University of Gondar, School of Medicine & Public Health. Currently she is the Regional Coordinator for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) USAID/E HIV Prevention & Care Support Program implemented by World Vision Ethiopia.

Abstract:

Sexual violence is a violation of human rights and a serious public health problem. It has a profound impact on physical and mental health, both immediately and many years after the assault. To date, sexual violence has received insufficient attention from researchers, policy-makers and program designers and it has been a long struggle to have it recognize as a legitimate public health issue. This study aims to assess the magnitude of sexual violence and its adverse RH outcome on house maids and to compare the adverse RH outcomes on sexually violated and non-violated maids. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 523 house maids in Hawassa. After the quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaire data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS software. The life time prevalence of sexual violence were 15.3% with 95% CI (12.2, 18.4) and the 12 month prevalence of sexual violence were 5.9%. In this study the likely hood of experiencing sexual violence is higher among house maids who use any substance. The prevalence of any adverse RH outcome was 14.5% with 95% CI (11.5, 17.6) and the likely hood of experiencing adverse RH outcome is higher among those house maids who ever use any substance and house maids who experience sexual violence.

Biography:

Sukhvinder Kaur had her professional education and training in the area of Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Management Information System and Research and has rich and diverse experience of 12 years of working with larger developmental causes like Reproductive and Child Health Care, HIV/AIDS and Tobacco with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India. She has also worked closely with stakeholders across varying levels, like government departments, development partners (CDC Atlanta, USAID, UNICEF, UN etc.) academia and research organizations in the area of Health interventions.

Abstract:

Introduction: Migrants are at risk of HIV-infection and transmission to their spouses. Therefore, migrant interventions should also address spouses of migrants in the place of origin. USAID PHFI-PIPPSE project is supporting National AIDS Control Organization in developing a comprehensive strategy for migrants at source and destination states.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014 among 880 Currently Married Women (CMW) aged 15-49 years from high out migrant districts, i.e., Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh (State) and Cuttack in Odisha (State). In this paper, bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression methods have been used to investigate the association between exposure to intervention services and the safe sexual behaviour among CMW at source states.

Findings: In bivariate analysis, there is statistically significant and positive association between exposure to interventions and safe sex measures-HIV/AIDS testing and condom use. However after controlling the socio-economic and demographic variables, we found that majority of the intervention variables are not significantly associated with condom use and with HIV/AIDS testing. But, “attending the health and nutrition day meeting” [OR=1.036, p<0.05, CI (1.005-1.067)] is positively associated with HIV/AIDS testing among women and there is negative significant association between receiving HIV counselling service [OR=0.969, p<0.05, CI (0.938-1.001) and condom use.

Conclusion: The results corroborate that exposure to intervention not always leads to the safe sexual behaviour among CMW. The findings raise question on quality of exposure that women receivedon HIV/AIDS prevention at source states. An urgent intervention with ensured quality services is needed to promote safe sexual behaviour among CMW having migrant or returned migrant husbands at source states.

Biography:

Moges Amare Ambaw has completed his degree in Midwifery from Addis Ababa University and he is currently pursuing Clinical Internship. He was the Head of MNCH Department in St. Peter Hospital. He is also a Lecturer in Menilik II Health Science College and Trainer on PMTCT, Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and Family Planning.

Abstract:

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has succumbed millions of people throughout the world since it was first described in the early 1980s. In the past three decades the world has learned that HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem that can be addressed solely by the health sector but it is a social, economic, development and security issue that needs the united endeavors of all sectors including the public, private, religious, social and cultural structures of nations. This problem is worse in non-developed countries like Ethiopia. The prevalence of HIV at PMTCT site has shown a four-fold decrease during the five years period. The studies shows only 53% of known HIV positive mothers and 48% of known HIV exposed infants have received ARV prophylaxis. The estimated ARV coverage was found to be 11.6% for HIV positive mothers and 8.4% for their babies. Transmission of HIV from mother to child is mainly during pregnancy (Labor & delivery and during breast feeding). To prevent the transmission the four prongs must be implemented: Primary prevention of HIV infection; Prevention of unintended pregnancies among HIV-infected women; Prevention of HIV transmission from HIV-infected women to their offspring; and Provision of care and support to women infected with HIV, their infants, and their families. So integrating PMTCT service in all health system or sectors should be enhanced and need all stakeholders’ involvement.

Biography:

Ashenafi Kebede Debela has completed his BSc in Nursing from Addis Ababa University College of Health Science. He has been working in the Pediatric HIV and HAART Clinic in the same tertiary hospital where he has harvested lots of experience in pediatric HIV and Care. He is currently a Master’s student in Child Health at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Abstract:

Most studies conducted on HIV disclosure to infected children report on the challenges experienced by care givers to disclose HIV status to their HIV infected children. Objective of this study was to assess magnitude and factors affecting care givers’ disclosure of HIV diagnosis to their HIV infected children in Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2015 - June 2015 among 239 primary care givers of HIV infected children aged 6- 18 years in Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this study, 25.9% of HIV-positive children were disclosed their HIV-positive status. The lower prevalence of disclosure in this study might be due to fear of stigma and discrimination by the family members, neighbors and friends. There is a need for the development of new appropriate disclosure guidelines and modules for health care providers and parents/caregivers as there was a low rate of disclosure; moreover, parent/caregivers expressed the need for assistance from the health care providers for future disclosures. Such guidelines should particularly focus on how to disclose the diagnosis of HIV to the infected children.

Biography:

Tukov is a Public Health researcher in Cameroon. He is participating in PhD program of School of Medicine, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. His research concentrates on transmission, knowledge, attitude and sex behaviors among female sex workers in Cameroon. Before the PhD program, Tukov taught and studied in Public Health and Health Promotion for 8 years with a number of researches and projects in health prevention field.

Abstract:

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at heightened risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. The purpose of this systematic literature review of STI/HIV prevalence for FSWs in Central Africa is to appraise and understand the burden of STIs and HIV.

Electronic databases searched included PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Global Health, MeSH, Cochrane Library, Health Reference Center, Pro Quest, Psyc INFO, Science Direct, Social Services Abstracts, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science, and POP Line. Relevant articles published from 2007 to 2012 were identified. The findings of this multi-country regional review provided reliable evidence that despite prevention efforts, FSWs remain one of the main populations most affected by HIV/STIs. The review reveals that the prevalence of HIV/STIs among FSWs in a number of African countries is high, especially in Cameroon and Nigeria, two countries with the highest HIV and STI prevalence. Furthermore, FSWs who work on the street, or freelance, or use multiple venues are significantly more likely to be infected with HIV/STIs than those who work from a single venue.

Biography:

Emmanuel has completed his Masters in Public Health from Makerere University School of Public Health. He is a Teaching Assistant in the department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the School of Public Health. His Research filed of interest include; Infectious Diseases (HIV and Tuberculosis); Maternal and Child Health. 

Abstract:

In 2010, the Uganda AIDs Information Center (AIC) designed an integration service model of the sexual reproductive health, HIV and maternal health, and piloted this in Katakwi and Mubende districts. However, there isn’t any information about the implementation process to guide model scale-up. This study evaluated the implementation process of the integrated model in the two districts to come up with suggestions for improved delivery of integrated services. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted during May to July 2014. Key informant interview were conducted with 21 health district managers and health workers, and 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with service users each comprising 6-10 members. A records review of monthly reports and health registers at districts for period 2010-2013 and in the health facilities for 12 months was done. Data were manually analyzed following a thematic framework approach. Several challenges were faced in the attempt to provide integrated services. Such included staff related challenges: staff shortage and absenteeism, knowledge gaps among health workers and high expectations of mothers. Other challenges were system related: limited space, stock outs of supplies and informal service charges; and service user’s challenges: failure to uphold confidentiality by health workers and unfriendly services for young mothers. The pilot implementation process of the integrated service model experienced several setbacks. Program managers at AIC need to pay much attention to these challenges prior to further scale-up to any other districts of Uganda. 

Biography:

Murugi Ndirangu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Healthcare Management in the College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University, USA. Her research focuses on understanding the health of vulnerable populations and the efficacy of nutrition interventions for these groups in domestic and international settings. She has experience in global nutrition, HIV, food security and immigrant health.

Abstract:

Background: Malnourished HIV-positive individuals initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Individuals who are food insecure may have increased risk of co-morbidities, making it difficult to gain or maintain weight. Co-morbidities with malnourishment can increase risk for opportunistic infection and cause mortality. Food supplements provided as part of a comprehensive ART care program may reduce food insecurity in resource limited settings. This study was based in Central Kenya and compared the household food security of HIV-positive participants receiving food supplements and nutrition counseling to participants receiving counseling only.

Methods: The FANTA III Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure household food security of participants in the two groups. The Treatment Group received food supplements and nutrition counseling and the Control Group received nutrition counseling only for 24 weeks each. Household food security data were collected at baseline 24 and 48 weeks to detect how food supplements might impact food security. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS Version 22 to observe differences among HFIAS scores across time.

Results: Compared to the Control Group’s improvement in food security across 48 weeks, the Treatment Group’s food security peaked at 24 weeks (p=0.026), then declined by 48 weeks (p=0.002) but did not decline to baseline.

Conclusion: Food supplementation can be effective in decreasing levels of food insecurity in HIV-infected populations.

Biography:

Isaac Iniabasi Effiong is a Research Scholar at Mayo Clinic in Florida. He graduated with distinction from the Master of Public Health program of the University of West Florida and is certified as a public health practitioner. He completed his medical education and did graduate residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Calabar. His research areas of interests are in public health and reproductive health/sexual health including HIV/AIDS and STD. He has published a research article on male infertility and presented 2 posters on reproductive health research.

Abstract:

The reported increase of cases of sexually-transmitted disease (STD) in the United States is fast becoming a health challenge in the country (CDC, 2016). Family physicians can play an important role in preventing new cases of STD in their patients by initiating discussion and advising patients on safe sexual practices during sexual health and non-sexual health consultations. A number of barriers may prevent a family physician from initiating discussion and advising patients on safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible barriers to the initiation of discussion and advising of patients on safe sexual practices by Mayo Clinic Florida family physician. Data for the study was collected by written surveys. The survey assessed respondent gender, age group, level of medical education and possible barriers to their initiation of discussion and giving of advice to patients on safe sexual practices. With the study, it is hoped that improved knowledge of the perceptions and practices of family physicians in Mayo Clinic-Florida regarding the initiation of discussion and giving of advice to patients on safe sexual practices will arise. The knowledge may, in turn, contribute to better patient care, as the Continuing Medical Education or Clinical Training Program of family physicians may be adjusted to better prepare them to initiate discussion and give advice to patients on safe sexual practices.

Biography:

Rebeca Antunes Beraldo is currently a PhD student of HIV and Cardiovascular Disease at Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has completed her Master’s degree in 2013. She has been working with HIV patients since 2010, during her specialization period just after graduation in Nutrition at University of Sao Paulo. She has experience in HIV and clinical nutrition area with emphasis on the assessment of nutritional status. She has published 8 papers in reputed journals and has revised many articles of high impact factors’ journals.

Abstract:

Introduction: Several studies have found an association between HIV infection and the development of cardiovascular diseases. The probable etiologic mechanisms include inflammatory and chronic infectious process of the disease, in addition to the adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which would promote metabolic changes towards an atherogenic profile.

Objective: To evaluate the metabolic profile of HIV patients on HAART.

Methodology: Biochemical tests of lipid profile and fasting glucose were performed. Systemic blood pressure was measured and ankle brachial index (ABI) exam was performed to evaluate peripheral atherosclerotic disease (PAD). Waist circumference (WC) was measured. The criteria suggested by The National Cholesterol Education Program III (NCEP-ATP III) to identify metabolic changes were used. It was also calculated Framinghan risk score (FRS). Duke treadmill score (DTS) was calculated based on results from the exercise test, including ST-segment depression, chest pain and exercise duration.

Results: We evaluated 448 patients (53.6% male) with a mean age of 44.13±9.93 years. Among the metabolic disorders, the most frequent changes were reduced HDL cholesterol (66.29%) and hypertriglyceridemia (45.98%). PAD (according to ABI) was present in 27.68%, while hypertension was present in 24.77%. The majority (62.50%) of patients had abdominal obesity. According to FRS, 34.37% of patients had absolute risk of heart attack in 10 years >10%. Also, according to DTS, 10.0% were at moderate risk.

Conclusions: The atherogenic metabolic profile of most of the patients highlights the importance of early intervention to prevent cardiovascular complications.

Biography:

Lilian Andreia Fleck Reinato has completed his Master degree in 2012 from University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. She is currently a Doctoral student, Member from research group STI, HIV and AIDS since 2010.

Abstract:

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) are highly vulnerable to colonization by sensitive and/or resistant microorganisms, some risk factors are previous hospitalization and use of antimicrobials. We conducted a cross-sectional study in two hospital units’ specialized care in HIV/AIDS. The nasal secretion samples were collected from PLWH hospitalized in the period from August 2011 to February 2015. All hospitalized patients were invited to participate in the study; the samples were composed by those who had more than one hospitalization during the collection period. Each patient was tested by the presence or absence of a nasal microorganism in the first and subsequent hospitalization. The descriptive statistics were used, obtaining the frequency of each variable and the analytics to compare the groups by the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test; it was considered the significance level as 5%. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The ethical aspects were contemplated. From the 527 participants 84 had more than one admission, that’s the study sample. The average age was 40 years (SD±9.1), 64.3% were male and 66.7% reported being white ethnicity, were using antimicrobial 72.6%. The successive hospitalizations were more observed among males (85.2%). Current antiretroviral therapy or use antimicrobial did not impact the association of microorganisms colonization (p=0.650; p=0.255), respectively. The presence of microorganism was identified in 53.6% of patients in some hospital. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 65.5% of samples when grouped all hospitalizations. The knowledge about the status of colonization of PLWH contributes to institute preventive measures to future infection.

Biography:

Lilian Andreia Fleck Reinato has completed his Master degree in 2012 from University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. She is currently a Doctoral student, Member from research group STI, HIV and AIDS since 2010.

Abstract:

People with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) with a compromised immunity and high number of admissions with prolonged use of antimicrobials they are favorable to colonization by numerous microorganisms in the hospital environment, including Staphylococcus aureus. Health professionals, especially nursing professionals during direct contact with these patients, objects and surfaces, constitute a class susceptible to colonization by resistant pathogens. The aim to study was to evaluate the colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in saliva and nasal secretion of nursing professionals who care for PLWH. Cross-sectional study conducted in five inpatient units in state of São Paulo in Brazil. Saliva samples and nasal secretions were obtained from nursing professionals in three stages in the period from April 2014 to February 2015. The nasal secretion samples collected were processed in the institution's microbiology laboratory. All ethical aspects were included. 100 nursing professionals are participated in the study (19 registered nursing, 22 nursing technicians and 59 nursing assistants). The clinical experience was mean 12.9 (SD±7.6) years. We identified 43 (43.0%) nursing professionals with positive cultures to Staphylococcus aureus in the saliva and/or nasal secretions; of these 36 (36.0%) were oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and seven (7.0%) to oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding to training about standard precautions 91 (91.0%) of the professionals nurses received training. The prevalence of the Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal secretion was 32.0% and saliva 1.0% and both were 10.0%. The training about standard precautions is a measure, essential in preventing the risk of the colonization of these microorganism and infection control.

Biography:

Ibtehaj S Al-Sharif has completed her Bachelor’s degree from the King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Biochemistry. She is currently a Research Assistant at the Immunocompromised host department at KFSH&RC. She has 6 publications to her credit.

Abstract:

Human immunodeficiency virus, type 1/2 (HIV-1/HIV-2) are both lentivirus that cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Unlike HIV-1 virus, the HIV-2 is distantly related to HIV-1, the virus responsible for the global AIDS pandemic. Although HIV-1 and HIV-2 have similar transmission routes and can cause immunodeficiency, patients infected with HIV-2 have lower viral loads than those infected with HIV-1. Therefore, up to date, an HIV-2 viral load assay (or diagnostic test) does not exist. Accordingly, our aim was to develop a sensitive viral load assay utilizing digital PCR to quantify HIV-2 RNA in plasma and to validate it for clinical use. A real-time polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) assay is used that amplifies HIV-2 (LTR region) in parallel with a whole virus internal control; derived from a Mouse Hepatitis Virus (M gene), to monitor the assay performance. In addition a reference of viral stock of HIV-2 is used to report the absolute number of HIV-2 RNA in International Units (IU). The same method was repeated using the stock HIV-2 only, utilizing the digital PCR to validate the viral load assay. Our assay was able detect as low as 8 IU/mL from patient samples which is below the reported minimum level of HIV-2 detection using standard protocols. Our results also show high specificity to HIV-2 with validated reproducible results.