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Wand H, Moodley J, Reddy T, Naidoo S. Understanding the impact of women's correct risk perception on human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis: Insights from South Africa. Int J STD AIDS 2024:9564624241238525. [PMID: 38492207 DOI: 10.1177/09564624241238525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND South African women have the highest burden of HIV infections globally. We investigated the temporal trends and the impact of key factors associated with HIV diagnosis among a nationally representative cohort of South African women. METHODS Total of 24,657 women who participated in the National HIV, Behaviour and Health Surveys conducted from 2002-to-2017. RESULTS Despite decades-long prevention efforts, we observed a significant increase in HIV prevalence over time (22% in 2002 to 21% in 2005-2008 and 29% in 2012-2017). Overall, 46% of the women living with HIV were not aware of their risk of HIV with age-specific disparities. Our findings revealed compelling evidence between HIV seropositivity and high HIV risk-perception (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR):1.47 to 3.29) which increased overtime and exceeded the other factors. At a population-level, 45% of the HIV diagnoses were exclusively associated with women who believed they were at risk of HIV in 2012-2017. Women who reported using condoms at last sexual act were also at increased risk of HIV infection, with a population attributable risk of 18% (2002) to 21% (2012-2017). CONCLUSION There is an urgent need for culturally, socially, and linguistically appropriate prevention and awareness campaigns with realistic, non-confrontational messages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Tarylee Reddy
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
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von Siebenthal HK, Galetti V, Zimmermann MB, Stoffel NU. Regulation of iron absorption in infants. Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 117:607-615. [PMID: 36811475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron programs in low- and middle-income countries often target infants and young children. Limited data from human infants and mouse models suggest that homeostatic control of iron absorption is incomplete in early infancy. Excess iron absorption during infancy may have detrimental effects. OBJECTIVES Our aims were to 1) investigate determinants of iron absorption in infants aged 3-15 mo and assess whether regulation of iron absorption is fully mature during this period and 2) define the threshold ferritin and hepcidin concentrations in infancy that trigger upregulation of iron absorption. METHODS We performed a pooled analysis of standardized, stable iron isotope absorption studies performed by our laboratory in infants and toddlers. We used generalized additive mixed modeling (GAMM) to examine relationships between ferritin, hepcidin, and fractional iron absorption (FIA). RESULTS Kenyan and Thai infants aged 2.9-15.1 mo (n = 269) were included; 66.8% were iron deficient and 50.4% were anemic. In regression models, hepcidin, ferritin, and serum transferrin receptor were significant predictors of FIA, whereas C-reactive protein was not. In the model including hepcidin, hepcidin was the strongest predictor of FIA (β = -0.435). In all models, interaction terms, including age, were not significant predictors of FIA or hepcidin. The fitted GAMM trend of ferritin versus FIA showed a significant negative slope until ferritin of 46.3 μg/L (95% CI: 42.1, 50.5 μg/L), which corresponded to an FIA decrease from 26.5% to 8.3%; above this ferritin value, FIA remained stable. The fitted GAMM trend of hepcidin versus FIA showed a significant negative slope until hepcidin of 3.15 nmol/L (95% CI: 2.67, 3.63 nmol/L), above which FIA remained stable. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the regulatory pathways of iron absorption are intact in infancy. In infants, iron absorption begins to increase at threshold ferritin and hepcidin values of ∼46 μg/L and ∼3 nmol/L, respectively, similar to adult values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna K von Siebenthal
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Valeria Galetti
- VMMT Research, Cagiallo, Switzerland; GroundWork, Fläsch, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole U Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Ugwu CLJ, Ncayiyana JR. Spatial disparities of HIV prevalence in South Africa. Do sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors explain this spatial variability? Front Public Health 2022; 10:994277. [PMID: 36438270 PMCID: PMC9692089 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2021, an estimated 38 million people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally, with over two-thirds living in African regions. In South Africa, ~20% of South African adults are living with HIV. Accurate estimation of the risk factors and spatial patterns of HIV risk using individual-level data from a nationally representative sample is invaluable for designing geographically targeted intervention and control programs. Methods Data were obtained from the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS16). The study involved all men and women aged 15 years and older, who responded to questions and tested for HIV in the SDHS. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted to our data with a nonparametric bivariate smooth term of spatial location parameters (X and Y coordinates). The GAMs were used to assess the spatial disparities and the potential contribution of sociodemographic, biological, and behavioral factors to the spatial patterns of HIV prevalence in South Africa. Results A significantly highest risk of HIV was observed in east coast, central and north-eastern regions. South African men and women who are widowed and divorced had higher odds of HIV as compared to their counterparts. Additionally, men and women who are unemployed had higher odds of HIV as compared to the employed. Surprisingly, the odds of HIV infection among men residing in rural areas were 1.60 times higher (AOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.12, 2.29) as compared to those in urban areas. But men who were circumcised had lower odds of HIV (AOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.52, 0.98), while those who had STI in the last 12 months prior to the survey had higher odds of HIV (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.44, 3.68). Conclusion Spatial heterogeneity in HIV risk persisted even after covariate adjustment but differed by sex, suggesting that there are plausible unobserved influencing factors contributing to HIV uneven variation. This study's findings could guide geographically targeted public health policy and effective HIV intervention in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jabulani R. Ncayiyana
- Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Soogun AO, Kharsany ABM, Zewotir T, North D, Ogunsakin E, Rakgoale P. Spatiotemporal Variation and Predictors of Unsuppressed Viral Load among HIV-Positive Men and Women in Rural and Peri-Urban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:232. [PMID: 36136643 PMCID: PMC9502339 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Unsuppressed HIV viral load is an important marker of sustained HIV transmission. We investigated the prevalence, predictors, and high-risk areas of unsuppressed HIV viral load among HIV-positive men and women. Unsuppressed HIV viral load was defined as viral load of ≥400 copies/mL. Data from the HIV Incidence District Surveillance System (HIPSS), a longitudinal study undertaken between June 2014 to June 2016 among men and women aged 15−49 years in rural and peri-urban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were analysed. A Bayesian geoadditive regression model which includes a spatial effect for a small enumeration area was applied using an integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) function while accounting for unobserved factors, non-linear effects of selected continuous variables, and spatial autocorrelation. The prevalence of unsuppressed HIV viral load was 46.1% [95% CI: 44.3−47.8]. Predictors of unsuppressed HIV viral load were incomplete high school education, being away from home for more than a month, alcohol consumption, no prior knowledge of HIV status, not ever tested for HIV, not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), on tuberculosis (TB) medication, having two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, and having a CD4 cell count of <350 cells/μL. A positive non-linear effect of age, household size, and the number of lifetime HIV tests was identified. The higher-risk pattern of unsuppressed HIV viral load occurred in the northwest and northeast of the study area. Identifying predictors of unsuppressed viral load in a localized geographic area and information from spatial risk maps are important for targeted prevention and treatment programs to reduce the transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adenike O. Soogun
- Department of Statistics, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Ayesha B. M. Kharsany
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Science, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Temesgen Zewotir
- Department of Statistics, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Delia North
- Department of Statistics, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Ebenezer Ogunsakin
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Perry Rakgoale
- Department of Geography, School of Agriculture, Earth, and Environmental Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
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O. Soogun A, B.M. Kharsany A, Zewotir T, North D. Spatial Variation and Factors Associated with Unsuppressed HIV Viral Load among Women in an HIV Hyperendemic Area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.105547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
New HIV infections among young women remains exceptionally high and to prevent onward transmission, UNAIDS set ambitious treatment targets. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, spatial variation and factors associated with unsuppressed HIV viral load at ≥400 copies per mL. This study analysed data from women aged 15–49 years from the HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) enrolled in two sequential cross-sectional studies undertaken in 2014 and 2015 in rural and peri-urban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Bayesian geoadditive model with spatial effect for a small enumeration area was adopted using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) function to analyze the findings. The overall prevalence of unsuppressed HIV viral load was 45.2% in 2014 and 38.1% in 2015. Factors associated with unsuppressed viral load were no prior knowledge of HIV status, had a moderate-to-low perception of acquiring HIV, not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and having a low CD4 cell count. In 2014, women who ever consumed alcohol and in 2015, ever ran out of money, had two or more lifetime sexual partners, ever tested for tuberculosis, and ever diagnosed with sexually transmitted infection were at higher risk of being virally unsuppressed. The nonlinear effect showed that women aged 15 to 29 years, from smaller households and had fewer number of lifetime HIV tests, were more likely to be virally unsuppressed. High viral load risk areas were the north-east and south-west in 2014, with north and west in 2015. The findings provide guidance on identifying key populations and areas for targeted interventions.
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Galetti V, Stoffel NU, Sieber C, Zeder C, Moretti D, Zimmermann MB. Threshold ferritin and hepcidin concentrations indicating early iron deficiency in young women based on upregulation of iron absorption. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 39:101052. [PMID: 34401687 PMCID: PMC8350021 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma ferritin is a widely used indicator to detect iron deficiency, but the threshold ferritin that defines iron deficiency remains uncertain. Our aim was to define the ferritin concentration at which the body begins to upregulate iron absorption from the diet; this could provide a functionally-defined threshold of incipient iron deficiency. We hypothesized this threshold ferritin concentration would correspond to the threshold hepcidin concentration at which iron absorption begins to increase. METHODS We performed a pooled analysis of our stable iron isotope studies (n = 1058) conducted from 2006 to 2019 in healthy women (age 18-50 years; mean±SD ferritin 33.7 ± 27.1 μg/L) that measured iron absorption from labeled test meals providing physiological amounts of iron. To fit relationships between iron absorption, ferritin and hepcidin, we used generalized additive modeling, and to identify thresholds, we estimated the first derivatives of the fitted trend to assess inflection points in these relationships. FINDINGS Hepcidin increased linearly with increasing ferritin over the entire range of ferritin values. Iron absorption began to increase below a threshold hepcidin value of 3.09 (95%CI: 2.80, 3.38) nmol/l, above which iron absorption remained stable. Iron absorption began to increase below a threshold ferritin value of 51.1 (95%CI: 49.1, 53.1) µg/l, above which iron absorption remained stable. The latter two findings were internally consistent in that, in the relationship between hepcidin and ferritin, a hepcidin of ~3 nmol/l corresponded to a ferritin of ~51 µg/l. INTERPRETATION Based on physiological upregulation of iron absorption, a threshold ferritin of <50 µg/L, corresponding to a threshold hepcidin of <3 nmol/l, indicates incipient iron deficiency in young women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Galetti
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Nicole U. Stoffel
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Chloé Sieber
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, Zurich CH-8006, Switzerland
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, Zurich CH-8006, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Zeder
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Diego Moretti
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland
- Nutrition Group, Health Department, Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences, Regensdorf CH-8105, Switzerland
| | - Michael B. Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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Nxumalo CT, Mchunu GG. Zulu Men's Conceptions, Understanding, and Experiences of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Am J Mens Health 2020; 14:1557988319892437. [PMID: 32131678 PMCID: PMC7059234 DOI: 10.1177/1557988319892437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is proven to reduce transmission of
HIV/AIDS. Despite concerted efforts to scale up VMMC in men aged 18–49, the
number of medically circumcised men in this age group remains suboptimal.
Research has shown that several individual factors hinder and promote uptake of
VMMC. The nature of these factors is not clearly understood within the
dimensions of religion, culture and tradition, particularly in a low-income
rural setting. This study aimed to analyze Zulu men’s conceptions, understanding
and experiences regarding VMMC in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. A
qualitative phenomenographic study approach was used to collect data from 20
uncircumcised males at six different clinics that provide VMMC services. Ethical
approval to collect data was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics
Committee of the University of KZN (BREC – BE627/18). Individual in-depth face
to face interviews were conducted using a semistructured interview guide.
Audiotapes were used to record interviews which were transcribed verbatim and
then analyzed manually. The conceptions regarding medical circumcision appeared
to be related to religious and cultural beliefs surrounding circumcision and the
historical traditional practice thereof. The understanding of males regarding
VMMC was mainly attributed to HIV prevention; however, knowledge on the degree
of partial protection appeared to be limited. An array of negative accounted in
the form of complications such as poor wound healing and postoperative pain
undergone by peers and other close influencers’ accounted for participants’
experiences of VMMC. Poor knowledge and negative experiences relating to VMMC
could account for reasons why men choose not to undergo VMMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celenkosini Thembelenkosini Nxumalo
- KZN Department of Health, Ndwedwe Community Health Centre, Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Discipline of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Gugu Gladness Mchunu
- Discipline of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Curtis KM, Hannaford PC, Rodriguez MI, Chipato T, Steyn PS, Kiarie JN. Hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition among women: an updated systematic review. BMJ Sex Reprod Health 2020; 46:8-16. [PMID: 31919239 PMCID: PMC6978562 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To update a 2016 systematic review on hormonal contraception use and HIV acquisition. METHODS We searched Pubmed and Embase between 15 January 2016 and 26 June 2019 for longitudinal studies comparing incident HIV infection among women using a hormonal contraceptive method and either non-users or users of another specific hormonal contraceptive method. We extracted information from newly identified studies, assessed study quality, and updated forest plots and meta-analyses. RESULTS In addition to 31 previously included studies, five more were identified; three provided higher quality evidence. A randomised clinical trial (RCT) found no statistically significant differences in HIV risk among users of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel implant (LNG implant) or the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). An observational study found no statistically significant differences in HIV risk among women using DMPA, norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), implants (type not specified) or Cu-IUD. Updated results from a previously included observational study continued to find a statistically significant increased HIV risk with oral contraceptives and DMPA compared with no contraceptive use, and found no association between LNG implant and HIV risk. CONCLUSIONS High-quality RCT data comparing use of DMPA, LNG implant and Cu-IUD does not support previous concerns from observational studies that DMPA-IM use increases the risk of HIV acquisition. Use of other hormonal contraceptive methods (oral contraceptives, NET-EN and implants) is not associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Curtis
- Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Philip C Hannaford
- Academic Primary Care, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Tsungai Chipato
- University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Petrus S Steyn
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James N Kiarie
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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