AIDS Research and Treatment
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Acceptance rate15%
Submission to final decision147 days
Acceptance to publication13 days
CiteScore4.100
Journal Citation Indicator0.390
Impact Factor1.7

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AIDS Research and Treatment publishes original research articles and review articles focused on all aspects of HIV and AIDS, from the molecular basis of the disease to translational and clinical research, prevention and education.

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AIDS Research and Treatment maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

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Research Article

Magnitude and Predictors of Dietary Diversity among HIV-Infected Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy: The Case of North-Western, Ghana

Introduction. Though people living with HIV/AIDS require a good combination of antiretroviral therapy and healthy dietary habits for a quality life and positive medical outcomes, little is, however, known regarding the dietary practices of HIV-positive patients who receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Lawra Municipality. Objective. This study assessed the magnitude and factors associated with dietary diversity among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods. This study was a facility-based cross-sectional study of 269 study participants recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with their dietary diversity. Results. This study shows that only 36 (13.4%) of the sample consumed a diversified diet with a mean dietary diversity score of 3.7 ± 0.99. Starchy staple foods (96.7%) and flesh food (92.9%) were the most consumed foods. Being a nonfarmer employee (AOR = 10.76, 95% CI = 1.03–112.35), not taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.02–14.37) and adults of age 18–27 years (AOR = 5.95, 95% CI = 1.18–30.07) were significant predictors of high dietary diversity. Conclusion. This study revealed that dietary diversity was a significant nutritional problem among HIV-positive adults in Lawra Municipal Hospital. Starchy staple foods and flesh food were the most consumed foods, while organ meats, dairy products, and eggs were eaten less. Having a secured salary paid job, not taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and being a young adult were strong predictors of a high dietary diversity score. Therefore, efforts should be made to strengthen and improve the economic status and to educate these vulnerable groups on the need to adhere to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis uptake.

Research Article

Incidence of Hyperlipidemia among Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy in the HIV Outpatient Study (HOPS), USA, 2007–2021

Current U.S. guidelines recommend integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) as initial treatment for people with HIV (PWH). We assessed long-term effects of INSTI use on lipid profiles in routine HIV care. We analyzed medical record data from the HIV Outpatient Study’s participants in care from 2007 to 2021. Hyperlipidemia was defined based on clinical diagnoses, treatments, and laboratory results. We calculated hyperlipidemia incidence rates and rate ratios (RRs) during initial ART and assessed predictors of incident hyperlipidemia by using Poisson regression. Among 349 eligible ART-naïve PWH, 168 were prescribed INSTI-based ART (36 raltegravir (RAL), 51 dolutegravir (DTG), and 81 INSTI-others (elvitegravir and bictegravir)) and 181 non-INSTI-based ART, including 68 protease inhibitor (PI)-based ART. During a median follow-up of 1.4 years, hyperlipidemia rates were 12.8, 22.3, 22.7, 17.4, and 12.6 per 100 person years for RAL-, DTG-, INSTI-others-, non-INSTI-PI-, and non-INSTI-non-PI-based ART, respectively. In multivariable analysis, compared with the RAL group, hyperlipidemia rates were higher in INSTI-others (RR = 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–3.93) and non-INSTI-PI groups (RR = 1.89; CI: 1.12–3.19) but not statistically higher for the DTG (RR = 1.73; CI: 0.95–3.17) and non-INSTI-non-PI groups (RR = 1.55; CI: 0.92–2.62). Other factors independently associated with hyperlipidemia included older age, non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity, and ART without tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. PWH using RAL-based regimens had lower rates of incident hyperlipidemia than PWH receiving non-INSTI-PI-based ART but had similar rates as those receiving DTG-based ART, supporting federal recommendations for using DTG-based regimens as the initial therapy for ART-naïve PWH.

Research Article

On-Time Appointment Keeping and Associated Factors among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Adult Patients Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy at Health Centers in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019

Background. The magnitude of on-time appointment keeping among HIV-positive adult patients was not identified in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess on-time appointment keeping and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients accessing antiretroviral therapy in the East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was performed on 830 HIV-positive patients from April 1 to May 10, 2019, in East Gojjam Zone. A systematic random sampling technique was used to include study subjects, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Independent variables with a value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant cut points. Results. The prevalence of on-time appointment keeping was 62.1%. Being >24 years old (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54–4.25), being unmarried (AOR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.45–0.82), taking a drug regimen of tenofovir + lamivudine (3TC) + efavirenz (EFV) (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.84–3.62), taking ART ≥12 months (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI = 2.22–8.40), having a mobile (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.44–3.64), and getting adherence support (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.16; 95% 1.16–3.50) were significant factors. Conclusion. On-time appointment keeping was low. Adherence support and appointment reminders should be strengthened.

Research Article

Depressive Symptoms among People Living with HIV Attending ART Centers of Lumbini Province, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Depression is a common mental disorder and is a leading cause of disability globally. Depressive symptoms among people living with HIV can be a significant barrier to ART initiation and thus lead to poor ART adherence. Global studies have found the prevalence of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV ranges from 12 to 63%. The real scenario of Nepal still needs to be explored. Thus, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and predictors of depression in individuals with HIV. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out from August to December 2020 among 406 people living with HIV attending ART centers in Lumbini province. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique and surveyed with a structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables, HIV AIDS-related variables, and 21 items Beck Depression Inventory tool. The odds ratio was used as the ultimate measure of association, with a 95% confidence interval computed to establish statistical significance. A multivariate regression analysis was carried out to identify the final predictors of depressive symptoms. Results. The study found that 26.8% of the respondents had depressive symptoms. Those who were literate (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.61), in the poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 7.28, 95% CI: 2.22-23.87), initiated ART within 12 months (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.03–3.42), had CD4 cell counts below 200 (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.54–4.06), and had a time difference of 3 months or less between HIV diagnosis and ART initiation (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29–0.86) were independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion. Routine screening for depressive symptoms should be integrated into national HIV prevention and control programs for people living with HIV. An enabling environment should be created to facilitate the rapid enrollment of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in ART services, thereby reducing the time gap between HIV diagnosis and ART initiation.

Research Article

The Effect on Theatre Nurses for Rendering Perioperative Care to Patients Living with HIV in a South African Tertiary Hospital

Purpose. The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of how theatre nurses are being affected when they render perioperative care to patients living with HIV in a South African tertiary hospital. Background. There is a scarcity of studies that focus solely on the wellbeing of theatre nurses who render perioperative care to HIV patient due to the ramifications of the nurses’ fear of contracting HIV. Patients living with HIV often receive substandard care. Objectives. To establish how theatre nurses are being impacted when rendering perioperative care to patient living with HIV, the study followed a qualitative approach using an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from ten theatre nurses who were purposively selected according to specific criteria. They voluntarily agreed to participate. An interpretive phenomenological analysis framework was used to analyse the data. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis, namely, the negative effect on nurses’ wellbeing and the impact that it had on them professionally. Results. The study revealed that the perioperative care of patients living with HIV had a negative impact on physical, mental, and social wellbeing of theatre nurses. Their compromised wellbeing in turn led to poor patient care, which put nurses at risk of losing their jobs and even potentially having to face litigation. The study further indicated that nurses did not receive psychological support from the management which further affected their health and professional performance. Conclusion. The study proposes that theatre nurses rendering perioperative care to people living with HIV should receive proper training and support; staff shortages should also be addressed. There is also an urgent need for appropriate and sufficient protective equipment. Such changes will be essential in order to mitigate the negative impact that their jobs have on their wellbeing and on them in their professional capacity.

Research Article

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV in Nepal

Introduction. Patient’s knowledge and attitude towards their treatment avert stereotypical misconceptions about the disease and its treatment, as well as aid in attaining optimal adherence. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) clients in Nepal. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 ART clients visiting five ART sites in the far western region and the capital city of Nepal. The convenience sampling method was employed, and the data were collected through interviews with ART clients using a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Result. Approximately 80.7% had adequate knowledge and 55% had a positive attitude towards ART. Stigmatization was associated with ARV by only 4.2%. Half of the participants (50.3%) revealed that they had surreptitiously stored their ART medication, diverging from the recommended storage guidelines. A significant proportion of respondents (33.3%) chose to repackage the medication as a strategy to prevent unintended disclosure of their HIV status. Many (59.3%) believed that ART does not prolong life. Nevertheless, they advocated the regular use of ART rather than taking it only when the health deteriorates (81.8%). The majority (97.6%) were found to be adherent to their ART. There was a significant association of age with a level of knowledge and attitude (). A significant association was also found between knowledge and attitude towards ART (). None of the variables had a significant association with adherence (). Conclusion. Overall, adequate knowledge was demonstrated, whereas efforts are still needed to improve the attitude of ART clients towards ART. A need for counseling regarding the storage practices of ART is needed. A focus on ensuring the perfect translation of adequate knowledge and a positive attitude to the practice of ART clients is essential. Whether adequate ART knowledge and attitude scores will lead to near-perfect ART adherence needs further investigation.

AIDS Research and Treatment
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate15%
Submission to final decision147 days
Acceptance to publication13 days
CiteScore4.100
Journal Citation Indicator0.390
Impact Factor1.7
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