Prior history of sexually transmitted diseases in women living with AIDS in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological profile, risk behaviors, and the prior history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: Cross-sectional study, performed at the Centro de Referência e Treinamento em DST/AIDS of São Paulo. The social, demographic, behavioral, and clinical data such as age, schooling, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, parity, use of drugs, time of HIV diagnosis, CD4 count, and viral load determination were abstracted from the medical records of women living with AIDS who had gynecological consultation scheduled in the period from June 2008 to May 2009. RESULTS: Out of 710 women who were scheduled to a gynecological consultation during the period of the study, 598 were included. Previous STD was documented for 364 (60.9%; 95% CI: 56.9%-64.8%) women. The associated factors with previous STDs and their respective risks were: human development index (HDI) < 0.50 (ORaj = 5.5; 95% CI: 2.8-11.0); non-white race (ORaj = 5.2; 95% CI: 2.5-11.0); first sexual intercourse at or before 15 years of age (ORaj = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.3-8.3); HIV infection follow-up time of nine years or more (ORaj = 4.2; 95% CI: 2.3-7.8)]; number of sexual partners during the entire life between three and five partners (ORaj = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.6), and six or more sexual partners (ORaj = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.9-8.0%); being a sex worker (ORaj = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.1). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of a prior history of STDs in the studied population was found. It is essential to find better ways to access HIV infection prevention, so that effective interventions can be more widely implemented.

Comensalidade e cuidado: meninas-jovens-mulheres órfãs no contexto de HIV/Aids

O "monopólio da cozinha", histórica e culturalmente, é atribuído às mulheres, mães. Para cuidar da família, elas elegem alimentos, compram, cozinham e os servem. Sustentam a comensalidade. Em contextos de HIV/Aids, onde há perda da mãe, as filhas tornam-se responsáveis por esses cuidados. O que pensam as meninas do papel de cuidadoras com o qual, prematuramente, deparam-se? O que dizem seus irmãos sobre isso? Realizamos entrevistas semidirigidas com 14 jovens órfãos. Os dados foram analisados pela proposta de Mills (2009). As jovens não demonstram insatisfação por executarem novas tarefas, mas deploram o fato de impedirem o estudo e a vida além-casa. Seus irmãos entendem a lida da cozinha como coisa de mulher e, por isso, dificilmente colaboram. Essas jovens necessitam de cuidados direcionados à situação vulnerável em que vivem. As políticas de Saúde Pública poderiam pleitear macroestruturas que atuassem sobre essa demanda.

Orfandade por aids ou por homicídio apresenta efeitos sobre o estado nutricional das crianças?

O artigo tem como objetivos avaliar o estado nutricional de órfãos por aids ou homicídios residentes em São Paulo e estimar a associação de índices nutricionais com variáveis relacionadas à orfandade. Trata-se de estudo transversal de base domiciliar que utilizou amostra representativa de 484 indivíduos de 5 a 14 anos que perderam um ou ambos os pais durante os anos de 2000 e 2004 devido à aids ou a homicídio no município de São Paulo. A avaliação nutricional foi feita com o índice de massa corporal-para-idade (IMC) e da altura-para-idade (altura). A associação entre os índices nutricionais e as variáveis relacionadas à orfandade foi estimada em análise hierárquica, com uso de modelo de regressão linear múltiplo. Órfãos por aids ou homicídios diferiram quanto às características da orfandade e à idade média. As condições econômicas, domiciliares, o estado de saúde e o estado nutricional foram semelhantes entre os grupos. O déficit de IMC ocorreu em 1,3% das crianças abaixo de 10 anos e em 2,1% dos adolescentes. O déficit de altura ocorreu em 0,7% das crianças e em 4,0% dos adolescentes. O excesso de peso ocorreu em 19% e 20% das crianças e adolescentes, respectivamente. A análise hierárquica indicou ausência de efeito das variáveis relacionadas à orfandade sobre o IMC ou a altura; o principal determinante do estado nutricional foi de natureza econômica. Os órfãos por aids ou homicídio de São Paulo apresentaram estado nutricional semelhante e majoritariamente influenciado pela situação econômica. O perfil nutricional identificado no grupo, caracterizado pelo excesso de peso, sugere que os órfãos de São Paulo não apresentam riscos adicionais decorrentes da orfandade.

Association between muscle strength and the cardiopulmonary status of individuals living with HIV/AIDS

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare aerobic function [anaerobic threshold (%_VVO2-AT), respiratory compensation point (%_VVO2-RCP) and peak oxygen uptake (_VVO2peak)] between physically active patients with HIV/AIDS and matched controls and to examine associations between disease status, poor muscle strength, depression (as estimated by the profile of mood states questionnaire) and the aerobic performance of patients. METHODS: Progressive treadmill test data for %_VVO2-AT (V-slope method), RCP and (_VVO2peak) were compared between 39 male patients with HIV/AIDS (age 40.6¡1.4 years) and 28 male controls (age 44.4¡2.1 years) drawn from the same community and matched for habitual physical activity. Within-patient data were also examined in relation to CD4+ counts (nadir and current data) and peak isokinetic knee torque. RESULTS: AT, RCP and (_VVO2peak) values were generally similar for patients and controls.Within the patient sample, binary classification suggested that AT, RCP and (_VVO2peak) values were not associated with either the nadir or current CD4+ count, but treadmill test variables were positively associated with peak isokinetic knee torque. CONCLUSION: The aerobic performance of physically active patients with HIV/AIDS is generally well conserved. Nevertheless, poor muscle strength is observed in some HIV/AIDS patients, which is associated with lower anaerobic power and (_VVO2peak), suggesting the possibility of enhancing the aerobic performance of patients with weak muscles through appropriate muscle-strengthening activities.

MÖJLIGHETER OCH HINDER INOM PREVENTIVT HIV/AIDS-ARBETE : En intervjuundersökning, i Zambia, om rådgivares upplevelser

HIV/Aids är ett av de största globala problemen och utmaningar av idag. Södra Afrika är särskilt drabbat och detta påverkar många olika delar av mänskligt liv. Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att söka ökad förståelse för hur maktstrukturer, utifrån fem rådgivares upplevelser, påverkar det preventiva HIV/Aids arbetet. Vilka faktorer som utgör möjligheter och hinder samt ifall maktstrukturer bidrar till att inte förändring av beteende sker trots kunskap om dess risker, har getts stort fokus. Det geografiska området för studien var södra Zambia. Det finns inget givet svar på vår forskningsfråga, utan resultatet visar snarare på motsatser och komplexitet. Vår utgångspunkt har varit att det inte finns något självklart rätt eller fel och inte heller en enda sanning. Dock är vår slutsats att de möjligheter som finns kan basera sig i att ta hänsyn till lokala förhållanden och maktstrukturer.

Grandparents Left with AIDS-orphans; Challenges and Strategies Handling Poverty and Stigma

By 2010 it is estimated that one third of the African children will be orphans as an effect of HIV/AIDS. The crisis is already a fact and most orphans are absorbed by the extended family where the grandparents become the primary caretakers. This qualitative study was carried out in Kenya to explore the situation of these grandparents and to define their current resources and needs. Eight grandparents living in rural village or urban slum caring for their orphaned grandchildren were interviewed. The results showed that these families live under extremely poor conditions lacking food, other vital neccesities and a basic social network. Local churches and support groups emerged as the grandparents main sources to enhance strength and support. Key factors causing the acute poverty is HIV-related stigma and lack of access to land.

Sjuksköterskans kunskap och attityder vid omvårdnad av HIV/AIDS patient

Abstract Bakgrund: Totalt har nästan 30 miljoner avlidit sedan första AIDS- fallet diagnostiserades år 1981. Ovissheten och hotet om sjukdom och för tidig död innebär stora psykiska påfrestningar på individen. Sjuksköterskans attityder och sätt att vara spelar en viktig roll för etablering av en terapeutisk relation. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa sjuksköterskans attityder till patienter med HIV- infektion. Metod: Genom en litteraturstudie av tidigare forskning har 16 vetenskapliga artiklar granskats. Dessa fann vi på databaserna PubMed och Cinahl. Resultat: Sjuksköterskor upplevde rädsla vid omvårdnad av patienter med HIV/AIDS på grund av dess smittrisk. De ansåg att de behövde mer utbildning och support och professionell support mellan kollegor för att orka med sitt arbete. Från forskarnas observationer sågs ett fysiskt undvikande av patienter, som att vårdpersonalen inte svarade på patientens ringningar, de undvek att gå in till patienten. Sjuksköterskestuderande som hade en rädsla för HIV/AIDS har mer homofobier, de ansåg att det var ett straff för deras oordnade sexliv och att de förtjänade sitt öde. Slutsats: Vi anser att många av dessa attityder skulle kunna undvikas om personalen får mer kunskap om smitta, sexuallitet och droger, hur sjukdomsförloppet ser ut, och vilka funderingar en HIV/AIDS smittad kan ha. Detta skulle bidra till att sjuksköterskor/vårdpersonal vågar möta patienten och utveckla en god relation till denne.

Analisi e valutazione delle performance acustiche degli aeromobili nella fase di atterraggio

Nella tesi si analizzano le principali fonti del rumore aeronautico, lo stato dell'arte dal punto di vista normativo, tecnologico e procedurale. Si analizza lo stato dell'arte anche riguardo alla classificazione degli aeromobili, proponendo un nuovo indice prestazionale in alternativa a quello indicato dalla metodologia di certificazione (AC36-ICAO) Allo scopo di diminuire l'impatto acustico degli aeromobili in fase di atterraggio, si analizzano col programma INM i benefici di procedure CDA a 3° rispetto alle procedure tradizionali e, di seguito di procedure CDA ad angoli maggiori in termini di riduzione di lunghezza e di area delle isofoniche SEL85, SEL80 e SEL75.

Frauen und AIDS in Tansania /// Arbeitspapiere / Institut für Ethnologie und Afrikastudien ; 60

Mehr als die Hälfte aller HIV-positiven Tansanier sind Frauen. Ihre schwächere gesellschaftliche Stellung ist einer der Faktoren, der dazu beiträgt, dass sie einem erhöhten Infektionsrisiko ausgesetzt sind. Aufgrund geringerer Bildungschancen und einer anhaltenden gesellschaftlichen Idealvorstellung von der Frau als Mutter sind Frauen auch auf dem Arbeitsmarkt benachteiligt. Im Kontext von HIV/AIDS werden afrikanische Frauen häufig als passive Opfer der Epidemie dargestellt und es wird zu selten aufgezeigt, wie sie als Akteure eigene Strategien im Kampf gegen die Krankheit entwickeln. In letzter Zeit gewinnen Frauenorganisationen an Bedeutung, denn viele Frauen wollen ausdrücklich eigenverantwortlich und ohne Männer arbeiten. Eine solche Organisation ist die in meiner Arbeit vorgestellte NGO KIWAMWAKU („Kikundi cha Wanawake Mwanga kupambana na Ukimwi“ – Vereinigung von Frauen aus Mwanga zum Kampf gegen AIDS). Meine Forschung hat gezeigt, dass Frauen ihre gesellschaftliche Stellung durch das Engagement in einer NGO verbessern können. Sie können ein eigenes Einkommen erwirtschaften und nützliche Kenntnisse etwa in der Führung einer Organisation erlangen. Allerdings profitieren nicht alle Beteiligten gleichermaßen. Die drei Leiterinnen der erforschten NGO verfügten über die meisten Vorteile; sie profitierten finanziell, aber auch ideell, denn sie genossen durch ihre Arbeit hohes Ansehen im gesamten Mwanga-Distrikt. Dagegen konnten einige der Klientinnen nur in sehr geringem Maße von Interventionen profitieren. Letztlich bin ich jedoch überzeugt davon, dass durch solche Frauenorganisationen ein wichtiger Prozess angestoßen worden ist, durch den Frauen mittel- oder langfristig eine stärkere Stellung innerhalb der tansanischen Gesellschaft erlangen können, was sich wiederum positiv auf die immer noch steigenden HIV/AIDS-Infektionsraten auswirken kann.

From MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to soft-landing for electronics

Within this PhD thesis matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has been used as a reliable tool for the quantitative characterization of giant molecules, such as alkyl substituted and unsubstituted large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which cannot be characterized by conventional analytic techniques due to their lack of solubility. The use of the MALDI solvent-free technique for the sample preparation and the application of the standard addition method have allowed the quantitative characterization of synthetic PAH mixtures. The knowledge, acquired by studying these representative systems, has been then transferred to the quantitative analyses of complex and slightly soluble natural PAH mixtures, such as mesophase pitch. Moreover, the possibility to ionize intractable and insoluble molecules via mass spectrometry has been recognized to be not only a powerful analytical method, but also to represent a unique change to handle giant aromatic systems and to deposit them on a surface for further investigations, in a process, which is defined as “soft-landing”. Within this novel deposition technique, ions of the desired analytes or analyte mixtures are generated by means of an MS ionization source, discriminated by their different mass to charge ratios via a mass analyzer and landed with retention of their structure on a desired surface. This soft-deposition is guaranteed by the use of decelerating potentials, which have in this work been recognized to influence the final packing of the analyte molecules reaching the landing surface. For a more detailed study of the electrical field action on disc-like and rod-like molecules, soft-landing-independent experiments have been additionally carried out. As a result unidirectionally ordered films of the analyte molecules have been obtained due to the application of an external electrical strength. This versatile alignment technique has then been used for obtaining ordered layers of semiconducting materials for the fabrication of organic field effect transistors (OFET) with improved performances.

Innovative Man Machine Interfaces In Aeronautics

The research activity focused on the study, design and evaluation of innovative human-machine interfaces based on virtual three-dimensional environments. It is based on the brain electrical activities recorded in real time through the electrical impulses emitted by the brain waves of the user. The achieved target is to identify and sort in real time the different brain states and adapt the interface and/or stimuli to the corresponding emotional state of the user. The setup of an experimental facility based on an innovative experimental methodology for “man in the loop" simulation was established. It allowed involving during pilot training in virtually simulated flights, both pilot and flight examiner, in order to compare the subjective evaluations of this latter to the objective measurements of the brain activity of the pilot. This was done recording all the relevant information versus a time-line. Different combinations of emotional intensities obtained, led to an evaluation of the current situational awareness of the user. These results have a great implication in the current training methodology of the pilots, and its use could be extended as a tool that can improve the evaluation of a pilot/crew performance in interacting with the aircraft when performing tasks and procedures, especially in critical situations. This research also resulted in the design of an interface that adapts the control of the machine to the situation awareness of the user. The new concept worked on, aimed at improving the efficiency between a user and the interface, and gaining capacity by reducing the user’s workload and hence improving the system overall safety. This innovative research combining emotions measured through electroencephalography resulted in a human-machine interface that would have three aeronautical related applications: • An evaluation tool during the pilot training; • An input for cockpit environment; • An adaptation tool of the cockpit automation.

Morfometria di forme carsiche in un possibile "landing site" marziano

Starting from some satellite photos, we try to understand if someone of the many negatives roundish shapes recognized into a complex of two impacts craters could verify the karst phenomenon on Mars. This fact if confirmed could be extremely important to find microbiological life living underground in an area of contact between water and sulfates, shielded from cosmic radiation. In order to verify if these negatives shapes have a karst origin or an impact one, we made several morphometric measurements with particular attention to the length of the axes and to the depth of these depressions. We also studied some other forms (such jagged ridges) as another possible witness of the karst.

Un nuovo algoritmo di Landing Detection per aeromobili quadri-rotore

In questa tesi si è realizzato un nuovo algoritmo di "Landing Detection",il quale utilizza i dati rilevati dall’accelerometro e dal giroscopio, situati all’interno dell’IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), e i segnali PWM inviati ad i motori, rappresentati dai livelli dei canali di radiocomunicazione (RC).

A new multimodality technique accurately maps the primary lymphatic landing sites of the bladder

Pathoanatomic studies have failed to map accurately the primary lymphatic landing sites of the urinary bladder.