Detection of HPV DNA in vaginal samples self-collected by women living with HIV treated through the Brazilian public health system: Prevalence and analysis of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (WLWH) are more likely to be infected with the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). We assessed the prevalence of high-risk (HR) (16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68/73/82), probable high-risk (pHR) (26/53/66), and low-risk (LR) (6/11/40/42/43/44/54/61/70) HPV types and their associated risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of WLWH aged 18-64 years included one laboratory and eight HIV-specialty healthcare facilities in the pilot network. Descriptive statistics were used to assess sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Adjusted analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors associated with HR and/or pHR HPV infection in WLWH. RESULTS: From May/2021 to May/2022, 1,914 (92.5%) WLWH participated in the pilot study and had valid HPV-DNA results of self-collected vaginal samples. The median age of the participants was 45 years, 60.1% had ≥ 9 years of schooling, 80.5% were ≤ 18 years at first sexual intercourse, and 51.7% had > 4 sexual partners throughout life. The prevalence of any HPV type, HR HPV, pHR HPV, and LR HPV was 65.8%, 49.6%, 16.7%, and 40.0%, respectively. Age was inversely associated with pHR and/or HR-HPV (p < 0.001), and education level was inversely associated with HR-HPV (p = 0.003) types. Any HR or pHR was associated with being single (p = 0.029) and exchanging sex for drugs (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HPV, especially HR HPV, among WLWH is high in Brazil, highlighting the need for HPV screening in this population. Self-collection of vaginal samples is an important strategy for increasing testing access.

Risk factor and symptoms of burnout in physiotherapists in the canton of Bern.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the risk of burnout is high for people working in health professions. Many physiotherapists have either suffered from burn out personally or have seen colleagues suffer from it. In Switzerland, there is a lack of evidence concerning the risk factors and symptoms for burnout among physiotherapist.The aim of this study was to empirically identify risk factors and symptoms of burnout in physiotherapists working in the canton of Bern. METHOD: Based on interview guidelines, three semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists who experienced burn out themselves were conducted. The questions were divided into two main categories: risk factors and symptoms. For analysis, the interviews were transcribed and assigned to individual categories. RESULTS: High personal expectations and the pressure that comes with working on patients with chronic complaints were the most common answers from the participants. In this study these factors can be considered as important risk factors. In particular, emotional exhaustion and depression seem to be relevant burnout symptoms which lead to a decrease in personal performance. CONCLUSION: In this study physiotherapists with burn out working in an acute care hospital tend to suffer from symptoms of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. For physiotherapists, sensitization to symptoms and risk factors of burnout is essential in daily work as well as in education. The results of this study might be of interest for physiotherapist or physiotherapists students to prevent and sensitive them for burnout symptoms.

HPV-DNA test access based on self-collection of vaginal samples from women living with HIV/AIDS: pilot implementation in Brazil / Autocoleta vaginal por mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS para testagem de HPV-DNA: implantação piloto no Brasil

Introduction: Women living with HIV/AIDS have a higher frequency of anogenital neoplasms resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The World Health Organization recommends that cervical cancer screening uses molecular tests that amplify viral genetic material, such as HPV-DNA. In addition to collection by health professionals, self-collection of vaginal samples is a useful tool for expanding access to testing. Objective: To describe the results of the pilot study that evaluated the acceptability of self-collection of vaginal samples and the applicability of offering HPV-DNA tests with self-collection of vaginal samples for women living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study involving women living with HIV/AIDS treated in eight HIV-specialty healthcare facilities distributed in all regions of the country from May 2021 to May 2022 and a central laboratory. Vaginal self-collection was offered, and participants were interviewed about sociodemographic data and impressions of self-collection. Results: In total, 1,919 women living with HIV/AIDS with an average age of 45 years participated in the study. Some type of HPV was detected in 66% (1,267) of cases. The majority (71.9%) said they preferred self-collection to sample collection by health care professionals. Only 53.8% of participants underwent cytology at the appropriate frequency, as recommended by the protocol. Conclusion: The results may support the implementation of molecular biology tests to detect HPV in women living with HIV/AIDS, including the possibility of vaginal self-collection, promoting increased access to cervical cancer screening. (AU)

Introdução: Mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS possuem maior frequência de neoplasias anogenitais decorrentes da infecção pelo papilomavírus humano (HPV). A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda que o rastreio de câncer do colo do útero seja utilizado por testes moleculares que amplificam o material genético viral, como o HPV-DNA. Além da coleta por profissionais da saúde, a autocoleta de amostras vaginais consiste em uma ferramenta útil para ampliação do acesso à testagem. Objetivo: Descrever os resultados do estudo piloto que avaliou a aceitabilidade da autocoleta de amostra vaginal e aplicabilidade da oferta de testes HPV-DNA com autocoleta de amostras vaginais para mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo envolvendo mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS atendidas em oito serviços ambulatoriais distribuídos em todas as regiões do país no período de maio/2021 a maio/2022 e um laboratório central. Realizou-se a oferta de autocoleta vaginal e uma entrevista com as participantes sobre dados sociodemográficos e impressões da autocoleta. Resultados: No total, 1.919 mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS com média de 45 anos participaram do estudo. Houve detecção de algum tipo de HPV em 66% (1.267) dos casos. A maioria (71,9%) afirmou preferir a autocoleta à coleta de amostras por profissionais da saúde. Apenas 53,8% das participantes realizaram citologia na periodicidade adequada, conforme recomendação do protocolo. Conclusão:Os resultados poderão apoiar a implementação dos testes de biologia molecular para detecção de HPV em mulheres vivendo com HIV/AIDS, incluindo a possibilidade de autocoleta vaginal, promovendo a ampliação do acesso ao rastreamento de câncer do colo do útero. (AU)

Detection of HPV DNA in vaginal samples self-collected by women living with HIV treated through the Brazilian public health system: Prevalence and analysis of risk factors

ABSTRACT Background: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (WLWH) are more likely to be infected with the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). We assessed the prevalence of high-risk (HR) (16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68/73/82), probable high-risk (pHR) (26/53/66), and low-risk (LR) (6/11/40/42/43/44/54/61/70) HPV types and their associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study of WLWH aged 18-64 years included one laboratory and eight HIV-specialty healthcare facilities in the pilot network. Descriptive statistics were used to assess sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Adjusted analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors associated with HR and/or pHR HPV infection in WLWH. Results: From May/2021 to May/2022, 1,914 (92.5%) WLWH participated in the pilot study and had valid HPV-DNA results of self-collected vaginal samples. The median age of the participants was 45 years, 60.1% had ≥ 9 years of schooling, 80.5% were ≤ 18 years at first sexual intercourse, and 51.7% had > 4 sexual partners throughout life. The prevalence of any HPV type, HR HPV, pHR HPV, and LR HPV was 65.8%, 49.6%, 16.7%, and 40.0%, respectively. Age was inversely associated with pHR and/or HR-HPV (p < 0.001), and education level was inversely associated with HR-HPV (p = 0.003) types. Any HR or pHR was associated with being single (p = 0.029) and exchanging sex for drugs (p = 0.037). Conclusions: The prevalence of HPV, especially HR HPV, among WLWH is high in Brazil, highlighting the need for HPV screening in this population. Self-collection of vaginal samples is an important strategy for increasing testing access.

HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis: prevalence and serodiscordance between women and their partners / HIV, hepatite B, hepatite C e sífilis: prevalência e sorodiscordância entre mulheres e seus companheiros

Introduction: The prevention of vertical transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is the object of research by several authors, who reinforce the importance of knowing the serological status of a woman's sexual partner. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and serodiscordance of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis infections among women admitted to a maternity hospital in southern Brazil and their partners. Methods: 350 women and their partners were interviewed in a service-based cross-sectional study conducted from August 16 to November 23, 2018. Results: 4.0% of the women and 4.3% of the men had one of the infections studied. Among women, 2.0% already knew they were HIV positive, 2.0% had a positive rapid test for syphilis and there was no positive result for hepatitis B or C. A total of 299 (85.4%) partners were located. Of these, 293 (98.0%) agreed to answer the study questionnaire. Of all men interviewed, 281 (95.9%) agreed to undergo an rapid test. Among men, 1.4% already knew they were HIV positive and 0.4% had chronic hepatitis B disease. There was a similar percentage of men with a positive rapid test for syphilis and hepatitis C (1.4%). Regarding couples, 6.8% had some positive test. Most of the positive test subjects were in a serodiscordant relationship (16 serodiscordant couples and 3 positive concordant couples). Conclusion: These results reinforce the importance of testing men to prevent the infection of a negative partner and the vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections. The high acceptance, by men, to undergo an rapid test at the time of the woman's hospitalization demonstrated the viability of this strategy in the maternity ward.

Introdução: A prevenção da transmissão vertical de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis é objeto de pesquisa de diversos autores, os quais reforçam a importância do status sorológico do parceiro sexual da mulher. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e a sorodiscordância de infecções por HIV, hepatite B, hepatite C e sífilis em mulheres internadas em uma maternidade localizada no Sul do Brasil e seus parceiros. Métodos: Foram entrevistadas 350 mulheres e seus parceiros em um estudo transversal de base de serviço realizado de 16 de agosto a 23 de novembro de 2018. Resultados: Do grupo consultado, 4,0% das mulheres e 4,3% dos homens apresentaram alguma das infecções estudadas. Entre as mulheres, 2% já sabiam ser HIV positivas e 2% apresentaram teste rápido positivo para sífilis. Para hepatite B ou C, não se registrou nenhum resultado positivo. Foram localizados 299 (85,4%) companheiros, destes, 293 (98,0%) aceitaram responder ao questionário do estudo. Do total de homens entrevistados, 281 (95,9%) concordaram em se submeter aos testes rápidos, entre eles, 1,4% já sabiam ser HIV positivos, 0,4% eram portadores crônicos de hepatite B e 1,4% apresentaram testes rápidos positivos para sífilis e hepatite C. Em relação aos casais, 6,8% possuíam algum teste positivo, a maioria (16) era formada de indivíduos sorodiscordantes e 3 de concordantes positivos. Conclusão: Esses resultados reforçam a importância da testagem masculina com a intenção de evitar a infecção do cônjuge negativo e a transmissão vertical das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. A alta aceitação masculina de se submeter ao teste rápido durante a internação da mulher demonstrou a viabilidade dessa estratégia de testagem na maternidade.