HIV Related Stigma Among People Living with HIV and AIDS in Limbe Health District, Cameroon
Ngwi Constance Tamungang,
Nde Fon Peter,
Ndeso x Fon Peter,
Mary Bi Suh Atanga
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2020
Pages:
1-8
Received:
6 December 2018
Accepted:
25 December 2018
Published:
23 March 2020
Abstract: The background to thr article is that, the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) - related stigma tends to create a vicious cycle of fear, ignorance, mistrust, misinformation, denial and self-isolation, which tend to further spread the virus because stigma affects the way people will take their treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the forms of stigma, and determine the role of stigma and other factors among HIV and the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients on Anti- Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Limbe Health District. For the method, a cross-sectional design with a sample size of 389 was used. Interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to collect data from HIV and AIDS patients belonging to HIV support groups in Limbe Health District found at the treatment centre of the Limbe Regional Hospital. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, forms of stigma and factors in association. Data was analyzed using STATA version 7.0. Results have shown that in all, stigma was experienced by 76.7% respondents. Among this group, self-stigma was experienced by 95% of the respondents while 28% experienced external stigma. Majority of respondents (92.8%) admitted it was not easy to disclose their status, 7.2% felt dirty while 20.05% felt guilty of contracting HIV. Association of overall stigma with adherence to treatment showed no statistical significance, however respondents who did not experience self-stigma were more adherent (76.9%) than those who experienced overall stigma (71.01%). It can thus be concluded that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) belonging to HIV support groups in LHD experienced both internalized and external stigma, with the former experienced by almost all the respondents. Although stigma was not significantly associated with adherence to treatment, the very high level of internalized stigma warrants the implementation of stigma reduction measures.
Abstract: The background to thr article is that, the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) - related stigma tends to create a vicious cycle of fear, ignorance, mistrust, misinformation, denial and self-isolation, which tend to further spread the virus because stigma affects the way people will take their treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the...
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Prevalence of Episiotomy and Its Associated Factors in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital: A Retrospective Study from Ethiopia
Yonas Teshome,
Mengistu Mekonen,
Tariku Sisay,
Getahun Chala,
Amanuael Mengistu,
Sisay Shewasinad,
Negese Worku
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2020
Pages:
9-13
Received:
23 October 2019
Accepted:
23 April 2020
Published:
29 April 2020
Abstract: Background: Episiotomy is a surgical incision of the perineum during delivery to enlarge the vaginal orifice. It is one of the most commonly performed obstetric intervention world widely. The magnitude of episiotomy varies from population to population. Limited information exists related to the practice of episiotomy in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of episiotomy and its associated factors in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based retrospective cross-sectional study was undertaken from March to June 2014 on 306 mothers who had a vaginal delivery in the Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study units. The data were collected using pretested cheek list. Proportion of patients who had episiotomy was calculated and the association between dependent and independent variables was checked using both binary and multiple logistic regression and Chi-square. Results: Prevalence of episiotomy in University of Gondar Comprehensive specialized Referral Hospital was 47.7% (n = 146). Majority (89.5%) of the delivery was spontaneous vaginal delivery while vacuum, forceps and destructive delivery were 4.6%, 4.6%, and 1.3% respectively. During pregnancy and delivery, 84% of mothers had no associated diseases while 8% had hypertensive disorder, 5% diabetes mellitus and 3% of them has other diseases. After multivariate analysis episiotomy was significantly associated with maternal age (15-24 years) (p = 0.041, AOR (CI 95%) 1.65 (1.02 - 2.66)), primiparity (p =0.010, AOR (CI 95%) 2.61 (1.54 - 4.44)), prolonged labor (p = 0.001, COR (CI 95%) 6.45 (2.89 - 14.38)), and weight of newborn (p = 0.044, COR (CI 95%) 2.48 (1.16, 5.31)). Conclusion: Prevalence of episiotomies in the institution was 47.7% and variables that remained associated significantly with episiotomy were maternal age, primiparity, prolonged labor, and newborn weight.
Abstract: Background: Episiotomy is a surgical incision of the perineum during delivery to enlarge the vaginal orifice. It is one of the most commonly performed obstetric intervention world widely. The magnitude of episiotomy varies from population to population. Limited information exists related to the practice of episiotomy in Ethiopia. This study aimed t...
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Expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen-G in Placental Tissues from Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia
Yongmei Li,
Yubin Zhang,
Jinfang Wang
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2020
Pages:
14-18
Received:
26 May 2020
Published:
29 June 2020
Abstract: Objective: To study the gene and protein expressions of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) in the placental tissues from healthy women in late pregnancy and pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), and to explore the relationship between HLA-G and PE. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of HLA-G protein and mRNA in the maternal placenta of 60 pregnant women with PE (including 30 cases of mild PE and 30 cases of severe PE) and 30 healthy full-term pregnant women (control group) respectively. Results: HLA-G had its expression mainly on the surface of trophoblast cells, and its response range and reactivity of its immunologic tissue were further reduced and weakened as the patient's condition was aggravated. The protein expression of placental HLA-G in each PE group was significantly lower than control group, with the difference statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with mild PE group, the protein expression level of HLA-G was lower in severe PE group (P<0.05). The Spearman's correlation analysis for HLA-G and PE severity showed that the correlation coefficient was -0.892 (rs = -0.892) (P<0.05), indicating that the expression of HLA-G protein was significantly negatively correlated to the severity of PE. The mRNA expression level of placental HLA-G of each PE group was significantly lower than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). But the mRNA expression level of HLA-G was significantly lower in severe PE group than in mild PE group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The decreased expression of HLA-G in placenta may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE, and can also reflect the severity of this disease.
Abstract: Objective: To study the gene and protein expressions of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) in the placental tissues from healthy women in late pregnancy and pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), and to explore the relationship between HLA-G and PE. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of HLA-G p...
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