ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the major determinants of VCT service uptake among adults in SSA. Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify eligible English language publications. Reporting of the study selection procedure was done according to PRISMA and the selected articles were also critically appraised. Results: We found 8 significant determinants of VCT uptake among adults in SSA, such as less physical access [OR (Odds ratio): 0.77 (95% CI (Confidence interval): 0.62-0.96), p < 0.01], older age [OR: 1.36 (95% CI: 1.08-1.73), p < 0.01], higher education level [OR: 1.60 (95% CI: 1.24-2.05), p < 0.01], high knowledge of HIV and VCT awareness [OR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.03-1.90), p < 0.01], unprotected sexual practices [OR: 1.75 (95% CI: 1.18-2.58), p < 0.01], discussion on HIV among partners and others [OR: 1.76 (95% CI: 1.10-2.81), p < 0.01], other STIs [OR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.00-1.98), p < 0.01], and divorced/separated [OR: 1.39 (95% CI: 1.12-1.72), p < 0.01]. Conclusion: This study showed that 8 determinants were significantly associated with VCT service uptake in SSA. Thus, HIV interventions and policy initiatives should be tailored to these determinants to ensure scale-up of VCT service uptake in SSA.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between four sleep behaviors and the risk of healthspan termination. METHODS: This study included 323,373 participants, free of terminated healthspan at baseline, from the UK-Biobank (UKB). We applied multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models to estimate the risk of terminated healthspan based on four sleep behaviors (insomnia/sleeplessness, napping, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty getting up from bed), which were self-reported and measured on Likert scales from "usually" to "never/rarely" experiences. In this study, healthspan was defined based on eight events that are strongly associated with longevity (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and death). RESULTS: Participants who reported the following unhealthy sleep behaviors had a significantly higher risk of terminated healthspan: "usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia" (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; P < 0.001); "usually nap" (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.18-1.26; P < 0.01); "excessive daytime sleepiness" (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.19-1.32; P < 0.001); and "difficult getting up from bed" (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10; P < 0.001). The corresponding population attributable risk percentage (PAR%) indicated that about 7% of healthspan termination in this cohort would have been eliminated if all participants had healthy sleep behaviors. CONCLUSION: Participants who reported "usually experience sleeplessness/insomnia," "usually nap," "excessive daytime sleepiness," and "difficult getting up from bed" had increased risk of shortened healthspan. Therefore, adherence to healthy sleep behavior is significant for the extension of healthspan.