Prevalence of anogenital warts in Men with HIV/AIDS and associated factors

Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Among the 630 million new cases of HPV that occur each year, 30 million develop anogenital warts. Although subclinical infection with HPV is the most common cause, genital warts are also associated with immunosuppression caused by HIV. In view of the high prevalence of HPV/HIV co-infection particularly among men who have sex with men, the objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of anogenital warts in men with HIV/AIDS and to identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 159 men with HIV/AIDS consecutively selected at a referral service in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, in which the association between sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical variables and the presence of anogenital warts was evaluated. After hierarchical analysis of the data, variables presenting a p value ≤ 0.2 were entered into an unconditional multivariate logistic regression model. Forty-nine (31%) of the HIV-positive patients had anogenital warts. The mean age was 44.6 ± 9.6 years. The main factors associated with the presence of anogenital warts were irregular antiretroviral treatment and genital herpes(HSV). The present study demonstrate that anogenital warts occur in almost one-third of the male population infected with HIV and factors associated with a higher risk of being diagnosed with anogenital warts were irregular cART use and co-infection with HSV, other variables could not be associated.

The variability and predictors of quality of AIDS care services in Brazil

Background: Since establishing universal free access to antiretroviral therapy in 1996, the Brazilian Health System has increased the number of centers providing HIV/AIDS outpatient care from 33 to 540. There had been no formal monitoring of the quality of these services until a survey of 336 AIDS health centers across 7 Brazilian states was undertaken in 2002. Managers of the services were asked to assess their clinics according to parameters of service inputs and service delivery processes. This report analyzes the survey results and identifies predictors of the overall quality of service delivery.Methods: The survey involved completion of a multiple-choice questionnaire comprising 107 parameters of service inputs and processes of delivering care, with responses assessed according to their likely impact on service quality using a 3-point scale. K-means clustering was used to group these services according to their scored responses. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of high service quality.Results: The questionnaire was completed by 95.8% (322) of the managers of the sites surveyed. Most sites scored about 50% of the benchmark expectation. K-means clustering analysis identified four quality levels within which services could be grouped: 76 services (24%) were classed as level 1 (best), 53 (16%) as level 2 (medium), 113 (35%) as level 3 (poor), and 80 (25%) as level 4 (very poor). Parameters of service delivery processes were more important than those relating to service inputs for determining the quality classification. Predictors of quality services included larger care sites, specialization for HIV/AIDS, and location within large municipalities.Conclusion: The survey demonstrated highly variable levels of HIV/AIDS service quality across the sites. Many sites were found to have deficiencies in the processes of service delivery processes that could benefit from quality improvement initiatives. These findings could have implications for how HIV/AIDS services are planned in Brazil to achieve quality standards, such as for where service sites should be located, their size and staffing requirements. A set of service delivery indicators has been identified that could be used for routine monitoring of HIV/AIDS service delivery for HIV/AIDS in Brazil (and potentially in other similar settings).

Late diagnosis and vulnerabilities of the elderly living with HIV/AIDS

Objective: To identify vulnerabilities of elderly people with HIV/AIDS and the trajectory that they follow until reaching the diagnosis of the disease. Method: Qualitative research conducted in specialized clinics in the state of Sao Paulo, from January to June 2011. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 elderly people who were found to be infected with the virus at the age of 60 years or older. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results: In this process four categories emerged, then analyzed with reference to the theoretical framework of vulnerability. Conclusion: Late diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS among the elderly happens in the secondary or tertiary service. Issues related to sexual life of the elderly are only questioned by health professionals after the diagnosis, also the time that condom use becomes absolute. It is believed that the investigation of the vulnerability of the elderly to HIV/AIDS allows for carrying out appropriate interventions for this population.

Marcadores sociais da diferença nas experiências travestis de enfrentamento à aids

Os argumentos apresentados neste artigo partem de apontamentos etnográficos oriundos de pesquisa antropológica realizada entre travestis que se prostituem. A partir da análise dessas notas, apresentam-se as categorias classificatórias acionadas pelas travestis que se prostituem a fim de, por esses termos, demarcarem diferenças pouco consideradas pelos formuladores de políticas de saúde, mas que são significativas para elas, pois se referem a maneiras singularizadas de subjetividades nas quais gênero, geração, classe e raça estão implicadas. Assim, procura-se explorar como esses marcadores sociais da diferença operam contextual e relacionalmente nas respostas que esses sujeitos têm elaborado frente à sistemática associação entre travestis e aids, e como esses eixos se enfeixam compondo experiências específicas do adoecer e do sofrimento, ao mesmo tempo em que permitem que as travestis mobilizem diversas estratégias de resistência e enfrentamento a processos de estigmatização. A discussão a ser empreendida vale-se do escopo teórico pós-estruturalista, bem como das contribuições do feminismo como crítica epistemológica.

Escala de atitudes frente ao HIV/AIDS: análise de fatores

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho apresenta resultados acerca das propriedades psicométricas da Escala de atitudes frente ao HIV/AIDS. Os dados, provenientes de uma amostra de 549 alunos entre universitários, ensinos médio e ensino fundamental. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram tratados pelo método dos componentes principais da análise fatorial. A análise final, postulado um eigenvalue mínimo de 2, resultou cinco fatores. Foram eliminados itens que apresentaram carga fatorial menor que 0,30. Neste estudo, o menor alfa observado foi de 0,79. Portanto, é provável que todos os 47 itens do instrumento final elaborado meçam o mesmo construto: atitude frente ao HIV/AIDS. RESULTADOS: Escores inferiores a 96 foram considerados fraco grau de conhecimento sobre HIV/AIDS; entre 96 e 192 moderado grau de conhecimento e acima de 192 alto grau de conhecimento sobre HIV/AIDS. Foram estabelecidos os fatores: 1, 2 e 3, sendo fator geral de percepção da informação técnico-científica; fator de percepção da informação técnico-científica versus sexualidade e preconceito; fator de percepção da informação técnico-científica no uso de drogas, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: O alfa de Cronbach encontrado para a escala como um todo foi de 0,859, sugerindo fortemente a existência da fidedignidade do instrumento que se mostrou útil para avaliar o grau de conhecimento acerca do HIV/AIDS e o risco decorrente do desconhecimento, entre estudantes.

Manifestações otorrinolaringológicas em crianças com AIDS

Introduction: The study of otolaryngologic manifestations in children HIV + can lead to early diagnosis of AIDS, allowing specific treatment, responsible by reduced morbidity and mortality. Objectives: Detect the otolaryngologic manifestations in children with AIDS and alert to the importance of the early diagnosis. Study design: Clinical prospective. Material and method: We evaluated 22 children with AIDS assisted at Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (São Paulo, Brasil). The medical records were reviewed and the children were submitted to otolaryngologic and hearing acuity exams. Results: We evaluated 12 boys and 10 girls, whose ages ranged from 8 months to 12 years. In B and C clinical classification were included 18 children who were using anti-retroviral medicaments. Physical examination mainly indicated cervical lymphadenopathy (18 cases), paleness of the nasal mucous membrane with abundant mucous secretion over the nasal epithelium (15 cases) and retraction of tympanic membranes (seven cases). The main otolaryngologic diagnoses were: rhinosinusitis (16 cases), oral candidiasis (13 cases), inadequate eustachian tube function (seven cases) and recurrent tonsillar infections (six cases). Conductive hearing loss were detected in 4 children. No child presented sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions: The main otolaryngologic manifestations presented by the children with HIV virus were rhinosinusitis, oral candidiasis, inadequate eustachian tube function and recurrent tonsillar infections. The allergic aspect of the nasal mucous membrane and the cervical lymphadenopathy were frequent signs and could alert the otolaryngologyst to AIDS during the exam.

A methodology and a tool to design of mixed-signal technology

This paper presents a tool box developed to read files describing a SIMULINK® model and translates it into a structural VHDL-AMS description. In translation process, all files and directory structures to simulate the translated model on SystemVision™ environment is generate. The tool box named MS2SV was tested by three models of commercially available digital-to-analogue converters. All models use the R2R ladder network to conversion, but the functionality of these three components is different. The methodology of conversion of the model is presents together with sort theory about R-2R ladder network. In the evaluation of the translated models, we used a sine waveform input signal and the waveform generated by D/A conversion process was compared by FFT analysis. The results show the viability of this type of approach. This work considers some of challenges set by the electronic industry for the further development of simulation methodologies and tools in the field of mixed-signal technology. © 2007 IEEE.

Environment for teaching and development of mobile robot systems

Using robots for teaching is one approach that has gathered good results on Middle-School, High-School and Universities. Robotics gives chance to experiment concepts of a broad range of disciplines, principally those from Engineering courses and Computer Science. However, there are not many kits that enables the use of robotics in classroom. This article describes the methodologies to implement tools which serves as test beds for the use of robotics to teach Computer Science and Engineering. Therefore, it proposes the development of a flexible, low cost hardware to integrate sensors and control actuators commonly found on mobile robots, the development of a mobile robot device whose sensors and actuators allows the experimentation of different concepts, and an environment for the implementation of control algorithms through a computer network. This paper describes each one of these tools and discusses the implementation issues and future works. © 2010 IEEE.

Gestantes vivendo com HIV/AIDS: Características antropométricas e peso ao nascer dos seus recém-nascidos

PURPOSE: To describe the anthropometric and pregnancy characteristics of women with HIV/AIDS, assisted by the Brazilian National Health System and the birth weight of their newborns. METHODS: The participants were women assisted at public STD/AIDS clinics of the Municipal Health system of São Paulo. The anthropometric characteristics were evaluated by trained nutritionists and other information was obtained from the medical records. For comparison of the survey data to those of the general population, secondary maternal and pregnancy data were obtained from live birth certificates through the Live Birth Information System. Continuous variables were summarized as mean and standard deviation or as the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles and minimum and maximum values. The other variables are presented as percentages. Means were compared by the Student's t-test or Kruskal-Wallis test depending on the fulfillment of assumptions, with the decision based on the p value. RESULTS: We found the presence of inadequate maternal nutrition according to triceps skinfold (60.9%). The BMI/gestational age showed the presence of underweight (18.5%) and overweight or obesity (40%). There was no association between disease status (HIV or AIDS) and weight, height, and lean or fat mass. Mean newborn birth weight was lower than the value for the general population without infection or disease. The results of this study indicate the need to develop adapted curves to allow a more accurate nutritional assessment of this population group.

Subjetividade e aids: a experiência da doença e da militância na trajetória de vida de mulheres HIV+ vista sob a perspectiva dos estudos de gênero

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

AIDS x vida: a doença como uma possibilidade de transformação para o sujeito

Pós-graduação em Psicologia - FCLAS

Aspectos psicológicos do adolescer com HIV/Aids: estudo de caso

Pós-graduação em Psicologia - FCLAS

Aplicação do instrumento HAT-QoL para análise da qualidade de vida de mulheres com infecção pelo HIV, ou com AIDS e sua correlação com variáveis sócio-demográficas, epidemiológicas e clínicas

Pós-graduação em Doenças Tropicais - FMB

Reconstruction of molecular networks involved in citokine-induced myotubes atrophy integrating microRNA and mRNA expression

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Genética) - IBB

The AIDS epidemic in the Amazon region: a spatial case-control study in Rondonia, Brazil

OBJETIVO Analisar mudanças espaciais no risco de Aids e a relação entre incidência da doença e variáveis socioeconômicas. MÉTODOS Estudo caso-controle espacial, de base populacional, realizado em Rondônia, Brasil, com 1.780 casos notificados pelo Sistema de Vigilância Epidemiológica e os controles a partir de dados demográficos de 1987 a 2006. Os casos foram agrupados em cinco períodos de cinco anos consecutivos. Um modelo aditivo generalizado foi ajustado aos dados. O status dos indivíduos (caso ou controle) foi considerado como a variável dependente e independente: um alisamento ( spline ) bidimensional das coordenadas geográficas e variáveis socioeconômicas municipais. Os valores observados para o teste Moran I foram comparados com a distribuição de referência dos valores obtidos em condições de aleatoriedade espacial. RESULTADOS O risco de Aids apresentou padrão espacial e temporal marcado. A incidência associou-se a indicadores socioeconômicos municipais, como urbanização e capital humano. As maiores taxas de incidência de Aids ocorreram em municípios ao longo da rodovia BR-364; os resultados do teste Moran I mostram correlação espacial positiva associada à contiguidade dos municípios com a rodovia, no terceiro e quarto períodos (p = 0,05). CONCLUSÕES A incidência da doença foi maior em municípios de maior riqueza econômica e urbanização e naqueles cortados pelas estradas principais de Rondônia. O rápido desenvolvimento associado à ocupação de regiões remotas pode ser acompanhado por aumento de riscos à saúde.