Article
Economics
Dominik Jockers, Sarah Langlotz, Declan French, Till Baernighausen
Summary: Research shows that HIV patients receiving ART treatment have significantly reduced absenteeism rates, with a decrease of 1.033 days per worker per month after 18 months of treatment initiation. Additionally, the cost savings due to the absenteeism effect of treatment outweigh treatment costs in the mining sector in several sub-Saharan African countries.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mandla Njajula, Uchenna Benedine Okafor
Summary: The prevalence of depressive symptoms is high among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), especially among females. Factors such as lower CD4 cell count, pain and discomfort, complications and opportunistic diseases, discrimination at health facilities and workplaces, and satisfaction with ART treatment results are associated with higher susceptibility to depressive symptoms. Mental health screening in primary health care facilities is important for early detection of depressive symptoms and prompt referrals and treatment.
JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael Truong, Madhura S. Rane, Sabina Govere, Sean R. Galagan, Mahomed-Yunus Moosa, Ann Vander Stoep, Connie Celum, Paul K. Drain
Summary: The study found that depression is a significant barrier to ART initiation and retention in care among adult PLHIV in South Africa, suggesting that mental health screenings around the time of HIV testing may help improve linkage and HIV-related outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cassidy Williams, Festus M. Kamau, Frans Everson, Boipelo Kgokane, Patrick De Boever, Nandu Goswami, Ingrid Webster, Hans Strijdom
Summary: In individuals with HIV/AIDS in South Africa's Western Cape Province, the study revealed associations between HIV, ART, cardiometabolic factors, and cardiac electrical activity, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular risk monitoring in this population.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Virology
Abdulhammed O. Babatunde, Oluwawapelumi D. Akin-Ajani, Ridwanullah O. Abdullateef, Taofeeq O. Togunwa, Haroun O. Isah
Summary: Africa accounts for two-thirds of global new HIV infections. Ten countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Kenya, were responsible for 80% of HIV cases in Africa in 2014. This study evaluates the antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage strategies implemented by these countries and highlights the importance of community-based and digital health approaches in increasing ART coverage and retention. Challenges such as funding shortages and cultural/religious beliefs need to be addressed to achieve the 95-95-95 goal by 2030.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eda He, Janke Tolmay, Siyanai G. Zhou, Wylene G. Saal, Elona G. Toska
Summary: Adolescents living with HIV face unique challenges in treatment and care. This study analyzed data to determine the age cut-off for distinguishing how they acquired HIV, which can help tailor HIV services to their needs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam Akullian, Alain Vandormael, Joel C. Miller, Anna Bershteyn, Edward Wenger, Diego Cuadros, Dickman Gareta, Till Barnighausen, Kobus Herbst, Frank Tanser
Summary: In a hyper-epidemic region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the median age of HIV seroconversion increased in both men and women, suggesting a changing demographic of HIV risk with a focus on younger age groups. The decline in HIV incidence was more pronounced in young men and women, while older individuals showed stable or even lagging declines in incidence. These results provide direct epidemiological evidence of the impact of large-scale treatment and prevention interventions on the age distribution of HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yulia Shenderovich, Mark Boyes, Michelle Degli Esposti, Marisa Casale, Elona Toska, Kathryn J. Roberts, Lucie Cluver
Summary: A longitudinal study in South Africa found that mental health problems among adolescents living with HIV can be influenced by the adolescent-caregiver relationship. The research suggests that caregiver supervision and adolescent-caregiver communication are important factors in preventing depression and anxiety symptoms, highlighting the need to focus on these aspects to improve the mental health of adolescents living with HIV.
Article
Immunology
Kimesha Pillay, Lara Lewis, Santhuri Rambaran, Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma, Derseree Archary, Santhanalakshmi Gengiah, Dhineshree Govender, Razia Hassan-Moosa, Natasha Samsunder, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Lyle R. McKinnon, Nesri Padayatchi, Kogieleum Naidoo, Aida Sivro
Summary: The study suggests that increased risk of TB recurrence in HIV infected individuals on ART is likely associated with HIV mediated translocation of microbial products and resulting chronic immune activation. This indicates that immunological markers play an important role in the risk of TB recurrence.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Leigh F. Johnson, Gesine Meyer-Rath, Rob E. Dorrington, Adrian Puren, Thapelo Seathlodi, Khangelani Zuma, Ali Feizzadeh
Summary: This study used a mathematical model to analyze the HIV epidemic in South Africa and found that HIV incidence has significantly declined since 2000. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and condom promotion have been the most significant factors contributing to this decline.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aurelie Nelson, Keitu Lebelo, Tali Cassidy, Laura Trivino Duran, Nompumelelo Mantangana, Leticia Mdani, Nikiwe Malabi, Suhair Solomon, Kate Buchanan, Damian Hacking, Vinayak Bhardwaj, Virginia de Azevedo, Shariefa Patel-Abrahams, Beth Harley, Clare Hofmeyr, Kathrin Schmitz, Landon Myer
Summary: In a peri-urban primary health care setting in Cape Town, South Africa, postnatal clubs have been implemented as an integrated model of care to improve HIV mother-to-child transmission rates and retention in care for mother-infant pairs. The results show that these clubs have achieved positive outcomes in terms of HIV testing, viral load suppression, and immunization.
Article
Psychiatry
Wei Hua, Sen Wang, Xi Wang, Ying Shao, Yali Wang, Jiangzhu Ye, Bin Su, Taiyi Jiang, Tong Zhang, Hao Wu, An Liu, Qunhui Li, Supriya D. Mahajan, Zaicun Li, Lijun Sun, Lili Dai
Summary: The study found that the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances decreased significantly after 12 months of EFV treatment, indicating a positive impact on improving neuropsychiatric adverse events. Additionally, risk factors such as low education level, low income, unemployment, divorce, and WHO III/IV stages were associated with severe neuropsychiatric disorders.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Pei-Ying Wu, Hsin-Yun Sun, Mao-Yuan Chen, Wang-Huei Sheng, Szu-Min Hsieh, Yu-Chung Chuang, Hsi-Yen Chang, Yu-Zhen Luo, Jun-Yu Zhang, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: Between March and October 2018, a total of 1248 people living with HIV completed questionnaire interviews for cancer screening. Among them, 46.9% (n=585) received free-of-charge cancer screening. The most common reason for refusal to participate in cancer screening was time constraint (50.1%). None of the participants were diagnosed with any of the four cancers.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Yongmei Deng, Songlin He, Jinhua Wang
Summary: The study found that HADS and PSS-10 can be used for psychological assessment in patients with periodontitis, and the severity of periodontitis, age, smoking history, and comorbidities can affect psychological manifestations in patients with periodontitis.
JOURNAL OF PERIODONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yann Ruffieux, Tafadzwa Dhokotera, Mazvita Muchengeti, Lina Bartels, Victor Olago, Julia Bohlius, Elvira Singh, Matthias Egger, Eliane Rohner
Summary: This study examined cancer incidence in adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa from 2004 to 2014. The results showed that infection-related cancers were the most common types of cancer in this population, and their occurrence rates were higher with lower CD4 cell counts.
Article
Anthropology
Marlies Sas, Thom Snaphaan, Lieven J. R. Pauwels, Koen Ponnet, Wim Hardyns
Summary: This study focuses on the use of systematic social observations (SSO) to measure crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and disorder. The results suggest that virtual SSO approaches have considerable promise for assessing physical properties of small areas. Challenges and avenues for future research are discussed to encourage the development of a more reliable approach to measure the physical environment.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Srean Chhim, Vannarath Te, Veerle Buffel, Josefien van Olmen, Savina Chham, Sereyraksmey Long, Sokunthea Yem, Wim Van Damme, Edwin Wouters, Ir Por
Summary: This study aimed to assess the usage of public and private healthcare, related healthcare expenditure, and associated factors for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or hypertension (HTN) and for people without those conditions in Cambodia. The results showed that the majority of healthcare visits took place in the private sector, with only 22.0% of visits occurring in public healthcare facilities. Increased public healthcare usage was significantly associated with Health Equity Fund (HEF) membership and living in areas with community-based care for people with T2D and/or HTN. The use of public healthcare facilities, especially among HEF members, was associated with a reduction in healthcare expenditure.
Article
Pediatrics
Sepideh Harzand-Jadidi, Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazargani, Koen Ponnet, Milad Jamali-Dolatabad, Barbara Minuzzo, Amirreaza Kamrani, Mahdieh Abbasalizad-Farhangi, Fatemeh Bakhtari Aghdam, Leila Jahangiry
Summary: This study investigated the rate of children's restrained system (CRS) use, its socio-demographic determinants, and parents' knowledge towards CRS use among Iranian parents. The majority of parents had low knowledge about CRS use, and the main reasons for not using CRS were lack of laws and policies, lack of knowledge, and high cost. The child's age, parental knowledge, and socioeconomic status were important predictors of not using CRS.
Article
Psychiatry
Mostafa Amini-Rarani, Maryam Moeeni, Koen Ponnet
Summary: This study aimed to explore male patients' preferences for opioid use treatments in Isfahan, Iran. The results showed that patients with opioid use disorder carefully consider various factors when choosing a treatment program, including treatment cost, location, duration, attendance frequency, informed treatment, and treatment personnel.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maryam Khazaee-Pool, Tahereh Pashaei, Koen Ponnet
Summary: This study aims to contribute to the understanding of innovative social strategies to attract social participation during crises, using the experience of social innovative strategies based on community-driven engagement in Iran. Through telephone interviews with 187 participants from seven provinces in Iran, six main themes and 37 categories were identified, including information giving/sharing, consultation, involvement/collaboration, health education and prevention, empowering, and advocacy. The results showed that participants were actively engaged in the management and control of the COVID-19 crisis, despite facing significant challenges.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Savina Chham, Josefien Van Olmen, Wim Van Damme, Srean Chhim, Veerle Buffel, Edwin Wouters, Por Ir
Summary: The study aims to explore the macro-level barriers of the health system that have impeded the scaling-up of integrated type-2 diabetes and hypertension care in Cambodia. The major barriers identified include weak leadership and governance, resource constraints (especially financial resources), and poor arrangement of the current health service delivery.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vannarath Te, Srean Chhim, Veerle Buffel, Wim Van Damme, Josefien van Olmen, Por Ir, Edwin Wouters
Summary: This study assessed the performance of diabetes care initiatives in Cambodia and found significant unmet needs in testing and control stages, highlighting the importance of early detection and management. Rapid scale-up of diabetes care at public health facilities is crucial to increase testing, diagnosis, care retention, treatment, and blood glucose control for the population with diabetes.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Peter Conradie, Stephanie Van Hove, Sabine Pelka, Merkouris Karaliopoulos, Filippos Anagnostopoulos, Heike Brugger, Koen Ponnet
Summary: Reducing heating-related energy consumption is crucial in Europe, where it occupies a significant portion of domestic energy usage. Factors such as perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, attitudes, environmental concern, personal moral norms, and willingness influence the intent to reduce consumption. This study used three theoretical frameworks and a sample of 3098 people from 29 European countries to analyze these influences and found that attitudes, environmental concern, personal moral norms, and willingness are significant predictors of intent and behavior to reduce consumption.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Social Issues
Sarah Anrijs, Ilse Marien, Lieven De Marez, Koen Ponnet
Summary: In digitized welfare countries, essential services are increasingly being provided through internet platforms. This study investigates digital exclusion and its association with socio-economic resources and internet access using survey data from the Flemish region in Belgium. The findings highlight the higher risk of digital exclusion for individuals living in poverty, lacking education, experiencing loneliness, or having poor health, and emphasize the importance of internet skills and use experience in preventing exclusion. Furthermore, the study suggests that digital inclusion initiatives should target all citizens and explore other social mechanisms that may contribute to exclusion.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Political Science
Cato Waeterloos, Michel Walrave, Koen Ponnet
Summary: This study examines the relationship between political discontent and various forms of non-electoral political participation among young adults in Belgium. The results suggest that dissatisfaction with the political status quo is not directly associated with particular modes of political action, and that social media provide an additional outlet for young citizens to voice their political opinions.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Sara De Bruyn, Edwin Wouters, Koen Ponnet, Robert Tholen, Guido Van Hal
Summary: Research on stimulant misuse among students is increasing, with qualitative research on the topic being limited. This study aimed to develop subtypes of stimulant misuse by understanding the motivations driving students' decision to use. Through focus groups and interviews with Flemish university students, the researchers identified four subtypes based on academic need and frequency of use. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for developing targeted preventive measures.
STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maryam Moeeni, Shirin Nosratnejad, Manizhe Rostampour, Koen Ponnet
Summary: This study investigated the inequality in households' financial contribution to health expenditure in Iran before and after the implementation of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) in 2014. It found that inequality in households' financial contributions to the health system persisted despite the implementation of the HTP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Monika Martens, Josefien van Olmen, Edwin Wouters, Daniel Boateng, Wim Van Damme, Sara Van Belle
Summary: The 'SCale-Up diaBetes and hYpertension care' Project aims to support the scale-up of integrated care for diabetes and hypertension in Cambodia, Slovenia and Belgium through the co-creation, implementation and evaluation of contextualised roadmaps. This study aims to use a realist approach to elicit an initial programme theory (IPT) on how policy dialogues can contribute to successful roadmap implementation and scale-up of integrated care. The results of the study provide insights into the dynamics and theories behind co-created roadmaps and their expected impact in different policy stages.
Article
Information Science & Library Science
Janneke M. Schokkenbroek, Koen Ponnet, Joris Van Ouytsel, Michel Walrave, Wim Hardyns
Summary: This study examined the reasons behind non-consensual sext forwarding by analyzing cross-sectional survey data from Belgian adults. The findings suggest that non-consensual sext forwarding is primarily linked to non-consensual sext receiving, indicating a potential influence of social learning and/or impulsive decision-making processes.
TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS
(2023)
