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Batool R, Yousafzai MT, Mir F, Muhammad S, Shaikh SA, Memon S, Qamar FN. Longevity of serologic responses following a single dose of typhoid conjugate vaccine among children living with HIV in Pakistan: A prospective cohort study. Vaccine 2024; 42:126009. [PMID: 38811267 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the longevity of serologic response and seroconversion rates at several time points following TCV vaccination among children living with HIV aged 6 months to 15 years in Pakistan. METHODS From November 20, 2020, to January 2, 2021; 336 children were enrolled and followed up prospectively for 12 months. Blood samples were collected before the administration of TCV and at 4-6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after administration of a single dose (0.5 ml) of intramuscular Typbar TCV®. Samples were analyzed for anti-Vi-IgG antibodies using ELISA. Geometric mean titers (GMTs), seroconversion rates (fourfold rise in anti-Vi-IgG from baseline) were assessed, and factors associated with sustained seroconversion at 1 year were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. FINDINGS The seroconversion rates were significantly lower in children aged 6 months to 5 years compared to children > 5 years; (127/216 (58·8%)) versus (81/111 (73·0%)) at 6 months and (110/217 (50·7%)) versus (78/109 (71·6%)) at 1 year, only two-third; 188/326 (57·7%) remained seroconverted at 1 year. The GMTs (95 % CI) were significantly lower in children aged 6 months to 5 years compared to children > 5 years, 9·6 (7·6, 12·0) versus 28·9 (20·2, 41·4) at 6 months, and 6·6 (5·4, 8·0) versus 23·1 (16·4, 32·5) at 1 year time point. The odds of sustained seroconversion significantly decreased with time (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.23; 95 % CI: 0.14, 0.40). The odds of sustained seroconversion following 1 year of TCV vaccination were significantly higher among children with non-severe HIV clinical disease (aOR: 10·61; 95% CI: 1·52, 73·98) and children in elder age group (aOR: 7·45; 95% CI: 1·18, 47·03). CONCLUSIONS A significant decrease in seroconversion rates was observed among children living with HIV following one year of TCV administration. The decline was significantly higher in children with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease and children younger than five years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabab Batool
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Rd, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; Centre for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Rd, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Mir
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Rd, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Muhammad
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Rd, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Saqib Ali Shaikh
- Director Health Services Karachi, Division, Civic Centre, 06th Floor, Hassan Square, Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sikander Memon
- New Secretariat Building, 6th Floor, Sindh Kamal Atta Turk Road, Shahrah-e-Kemal Ataturk, Burns Road, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Farah Naz Qamar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Rd, PO Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
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Raza HA, Raja MHR, Khakwani MM, Jamil B. Pakistan's HIV high-risk populations: Critical appraisal of failure to curtail spread beyond key populations. IJID REGIONS 2024; 11:100364. [PMID: 38660580 PMCID: PMC11039346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Pakistan has been a hub of several HIV outbreaks over the last 2 decades, with four major outbreaks being registered since 2018. There has been a recent rise in HIV infections, especially in high-risk populations, mainly consisting of people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, prisoners, the transgender women community, and female sex workers. Consistently poor infection control practices, unregulated unsafe blood transfusion, questionable ethical practices by healthcare providers, and a general lack of awareness are the main drivers of recent HIV outbreaks, with these issues exacerbated by the presence of untrained health care providers. To stop the spread of HIV systemically and sustainably, aggressive measures need to be taken at all levels by all concerned stakeholders that not only deal with building up testing, tracing, and treatment capabilities but also address underlying grassroots problems that have largely been ignored to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Ahmed Raza
- Department for Educational Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Bushra Jamil
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, National Coordinator (2021), Common Management Unit for Global Funds (AIDS, TB and Malaria Grants), Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Karachi, Pakistan
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Ayub M, Bin Ali Zubairi M, Ghanchi N, Awan S, Jabeen K, Zubairi A. Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-positive and non-HIV patients: a retrospective comparative study from a lower-middle income country. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2024. [PMID: 38572694 DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2024.2810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we compared the predisposing factors, key demographic and clinical characteristics, clinical outcomes, and factors associated with poor prognosis in pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) infection among the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and non-HIV patient populations. This retrospective analysis was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, via the collection and analysis of patient records with a diagnosis of "pneumocystosis" between January 2015 and October 2020. Additionally, the laboratory database was evaluated, and patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of PCP were included. During the study period, 52 laboratory-confirmed hospitalized PCP patients were identified. Of these, 23 and 29 patients were diagnosed using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 34.6% of our patients were HIV positive, with a median CD4 count of 20.5 cells/mm3 (range: 10.7-50.5). Other conditions identified were corticosteroid use, autoimmune diseases, malignancy, radiation, and chemotherapy. On chest imaging, consolidation was found in 30%, ground-glass opacities in 24%, and nodular infiltrates in 20% of the cases. HIV-positive patients had a lower hemoglobin level and a higher level of β-D-glucan at the time of admission, whereas non-HIV patients were found to have more co-morbid conditions than HIV patients. We observed no difference in clinical outcomes between the two populations. Factors associated with a poor prognosis among our patients included concomitant infections at the time of diagnosis, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and a longer duration of stay in the hospital as well as the intensive care unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaha Ayub
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh.
| | | | - Najia Ghanchi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh.
| | - Safia Awan
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh.
| | - Kauser Jabeen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh.
| | - Ali Zubairi
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh.
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Ejaz U, Ahmad F, Shahbaz U, Burki RK. HIV in Pakistan: Understanding Challenges and Implementing Strategies for Prevention. Asia Pac J Public Health 2024; 36:287-288. [PMID: 38345008 DOI: 10.1177/10105395241230749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Umer Ejaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Furqan Ahmad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Urwa Shahbaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Rabia Khan Burki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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Qureshi H, Mahmood H, Sabry A, Hermez J. Barriers and Strategies for Hepatitis B and C Elimination in Pakistan. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S204-S210. [PMID: 37703344 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pakistan has a high hepatitis burden for both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). To achieve World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 targets for hepatitis elimination, there is a need to constitute progress in the country, find the barriers and strategies for HCV elimination, and take actions to address the gaps. METHODS We collected data from (1) WHO estimates in 2020, (2) midterm review questionnaire of the WHO regional action plan, and (3) WHO estimates on immunization. We analyzed these data to inform (1) the burden defined as prevalence and mortality and (2) response in 3 thematic areas: governance, policy, and finance; strategic information; and service delivery. RESULTS The prevalence of hepatitis B in the general population is 1.6% with 12 000 deaths/year. The prevalence of hepatitis C in the general population is 7.5% with 19 000 deaths and 545 000 new cases (incidence)/year. The selected indicators to monitor progress on viral hepatitis in Pakistan were governance and financing, policies and guidelines, and strategic information. The overall governance indicators are good with a focal point, a national hepatitis strategy, an operational plan, strategy for price reduction, and involvement of civil society but the costed action plan and the advocacy strategy are missing. The indicators on policies and guidelines are also adequately addressed. The hepatitis B and C testing and treatment guidelines are available, there is a policy to screen all blood donations, and there is an injection safety policy, but the policy for timely hepatitis B vaccine birth dose and hepatitis B vaccination for the vulnerable is missing. Both indicators regarding strategic information, that is measures of key hepatitis indicators and regular data review, are missing. The status of 5 key interventions in Pakistan show that the hepatitis B vaccination coverage is 74% and only 3% of newborn children are given the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. Only 22% of HCV cases have been diagnosed and 2% have received treatment. Treatment response is 96%. Same-day testing and treatment of hepatitis C reduced the overall dropout rate and improved the cascade of care. Decentralization and task shifting are important tools to improve service delivery and reach communities. Finances to implement hepatitis elimination is a major barrier. CONCLUSIONS Pakistan has the highest hepatitis disease burden. With the current pace, hepatitis elimination appears impossible. Introduction of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine and improving access and affordability of testing can improve the testing and treatment numbers. Finances need to be mobilized from within the country and outside to support disease elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huma Qureshi
- Gastroenterologist and National Focal Point Hepatitis, Hepatitis Control, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hassan Mahmood
- In-Charge Hepatitis Planning, Development and Monitoring Unit, USAID Funded GHSC PSM Project seconded at Ministry of Health, Hepatitis Control, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Sabry
- Universal Health Coverage/Department of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Joumana Hermez
- Universal Health Coverage/Department of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
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Ali SM, Raza N, Irfan M, Mohammad MF, Kazmi FH, Fatima Z. Effectiveness of Using Nucleic Acid Amplification Test to Screen Blood Donors for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV: A Tertiary Care Hospital Experience From Pakistan. Cureus 2023; 15:e34216. [PMID: 36852365 PMCID: PMC9958204 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ensuring blood safety is the primary goal of transfusion medicine. Despite extensive serological tests and strict safety measures, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) still exists. As applied to blood screening, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAT) offers much higher sensitivity for detecting viral infections. It is, however, currently available to a handful of centers due to the high cost. This study aims to establish the Effectiveness of NAT by assessing the NAT yield and residual risk of transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV with and without NAT testing. Material and method This prospective cross-sectional study recruited blood donors from January 2020 to November 2022. All donors underwent routine serologic screening. Only serologically negative donors were tested for HBV, HCV, and HIV by NAT. The NAT yield and residual risk (RR) per million donors were computed for viral infections in seronegative blood donors and calculated using the incidence/window period model. Result A total of 59708 donors were included during the study period. The overall prevalence of TTI's were: For HCV 1.7% (n = 1018), HBV 1.5% (n = 918), HIV 0.07% (n = 47), Syphilis 1.2% (n = 758) and malaria 0.3% (n = 218). Out of 57759 seronegative donors, thirty-four NAT-reactive samples were identified, with 3 cases of HCV, 31 cases of HBV, and Nil HIV cases. NAT yield of HBV was 1 in 1863 with an RR of 8.6 per million, followed by HCV with a NAT yield of 1 in 19253 and RR of 0.8 per million donations. NAT testing reduced RR for HBV by 48.9% and HCV by 94.5%. Conclusion Our study showed that NAT detected 34 out of 57759 cases initially missed by serological tests. The study suggests that the parallel use of serology and NAT screening of donated blood would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syeda M Ali
- Hematology and Oncology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Naila Raza
- Hematology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Hematology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | | | - Fatima H Kazmi
- Hematology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Zainab Fatima
- Hematology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
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Anjum A, Rehman AU, Siddique H, Rabaan AA, Alhumaid S, Garout M, Almuthree SA, Halwani MA, Turkistani SA, Qutob H, Albayat H, Aljeldah M, Shammari BRA, Alshahrani FS, Alghamdi AS, Alduwaihi SM, Alibraheem AA, Zeb S, Zeshan B. Evaluation of Hematological, Biochemical Profiles and Molecular Detection of Envelope Gene (gp-41) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Newly Diagnosed Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 59:medicina59010093. [PMID: 36676716 PMCID: PMC9860646 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a highly morphic, retrovirus that rapidly evolves through mutation as well as recombination. Because of the immunocompromised status in HIV patients, there is often a higher chance of acquiring different secondary infections followed by liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B & C, and HIV-associated nephropathy. The current study was conducted to see the prevalence of secondary infections, hematological and biochemical markers for liver and renal associated diseases, and to detect the envelope gene (GP41) in newly diagnosed HIV patients. A total of 37 samples were collected from HIV-positive patients registered in different hospital settings under the National AIDS control program. The collected samples were processed for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hematological analysis, and biochemical analysis. To identify the envelope gene in newly diagnosed HIV patients, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using four gene-specific primers. The HIV infections were seen more in male as compared to females. A significant decrease in complete blood count was observed in HIV patients when compared to healthy individuals. There was a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine observed in HIV patients. No significant difference was observed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and albumin levels when compared to healthy control. Anemia was observed in 59.4% of HIV patients. A total of three (8.1%) patients were found to be co-infected with hepatitis B and one (2.7 %) was co-infected with hepatitis C. Out of these 37 tested samples, a total of four showed the successful amplification of the envelope gene. This study provides platform for the health care facilitators to regularly monitor the signs, symptoms and clinical biomarkers of HIV-associated infections to prevent toxicity at an early stage to improve the quality of life (QoL) and minimize the mortality rate in HIV patients. Envelope gene mutating frequently results in drug resistance, and thus future research on polymorphism analysis will reveal points of substitutions to improve drug designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfa Anjum
- Department of Medical Education, University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
| | - Abaid ur Rehman
- Department of Medical Education, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan 06426, Pakistan
| | - Hina Siddique
- Department of Medical Education, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (A.A.R.); (B.Z.)
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Garout
- Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Souad A. Almuthree
- Department of Infectious Disease, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah 43442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A. Halwani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha 4781, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Haitham Qutob
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 25732, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Aljeldah
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39831, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basim R. Al Shammari
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah S. Alshahrani
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University and King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 12477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali S. Alghamdi
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 12477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami M. Alduwaihi
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 12477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adil A. Alibraheem
- ENT Department, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 12477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shah Zeb
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Science, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Basit Zeshan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
- Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, University Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan Campus, Locked Bag No. 3, Sandakan 90509, Sabah, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (A.A.R.); (B.Z.)
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Javed SO, Saleem A, Sahito AM, Hasan MM. Transfusion Transmitted Infections: A Present-Day Danger for Pakistan. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:tpmd211136. [PMID: 35158327 PMCID: PMC9128693 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 1.5 million units of blood are collected in Pakistan each year, with around 65% of this donation coming from replacement donors-relatives or close friends of the affected who willingly donate blood to support the patient. Although blood transfusion is a life-saving therapy, it also involves the danger of spreading blood-borne illnesses if not appropriately screened. It has been extensively discussed that the precise number of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) in the Pakistani population is still unclear, and the estimates reported by the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority may be a major underestimation because of the country's lack of inexpensive and effective screening tests. Regular blood transfusions are the mainstay of treatment of patients with blood diseases such as thalassemia and anemia. They are also commonly used to handle acute injuries, surgery, bleeding, and birthing difficulties. However, the risk of getting a TTI results in an increased hesitancy among blood transfusion recipients. Hence, to reduce the occurrence of TTIs, effective and vigorous measures must be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aqsa Saleem
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Rabold EM, Shaikh SA, Schenkel K, Baig MA, Asghar RJ, Liban A, Morgan O, Ali H. Notes from the Field: Pediatric HIV Outbreak in Ratodero, Pakistan - April 2019-April 2020. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2021; 70:1489-1490. [PMID: 34673749 PMCID: PMC9361834 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7042a5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Ahmed A, Saqlain M, Umair MM, Hashmi FK, Saeed H, Amer M, Blebil AQ, Dujaili JA. Stigma, Social Support, Illicit Drug Use, and Other Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Among HIV/AIDS Patients in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Public Health 2021; 9:745545. [PMID: 34660521 PMCID: PMC8514983 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.745545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Anxiety and depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) can lead to non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, assessing the stigma, social support, and other determinants of anxiety and depression in PLWHA are important for developing further interventions. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 505 PLWHA, approached through systematic sampling, who paid routine visits to the ART center, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. Data was collected by pretested validated hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Version 26 of the SPSS was used to apply Logistic regression analysis to identify determinants, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was calculated to assess the magnitude of the relationships. Results: In PLWHA, the prevalence of co-morbid depression and anxiety was 80%. Separately, 89.9% had depression, and 80.3% had anxiety. Use of illicit drugs [AOR = 1.87, 95% CI (1.01, 3.27)], low social support [AOR = 1.21, 95% CI (1.02, 2.25)], being male [AOR = 2.21, 95% CI (1.11, 5.49)], and HIV related stigma [AOR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.25, 6.02)] were significant predictors of depression. Having detectable viral load [AOR = 3.04, 95% CI (1.04, 8.86)], young age [AOR = 5.31, 95% CI (1.19, 29.39)], no formal education [AOR = 21.78, 95% CI (4.03, 117.62)], low [AOR = 1.70, 95% CI (1.12, 6.93)] or moderate [AOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.79, 6.09)] social support, illicit drugs addiction [AOR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.03, 2.55)], and HIV stigma [AOR = 54.3, 95% CI (21.20, 139.32)] had a remarkable association with anxiety. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among PLWHA, the Pakistan Ministry of Health should focus more on monitoring mental health, expanding mental health services, and developing interventions based on identified factors to treat depression and anxiety among PLWHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid i Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Malik Muhammad Umair
- National AIDs Control Program, Prime Minister Health Complex, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Furqan Khurshid Hashmi
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hamid Saeed
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Amer
- Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Qais Blebil
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
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