Patterns of adverse childhood experiences and their associations with mental distress, substance use and sexual risk behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor sexual and mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Less well understood is how discrete and gendered clustering of ACEs may influence health. OBJECTIVE: To assess how multiple ACEs co-occur and how dominant patterns of co-occurrence are associated with mental distress, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors among young women and men in Sub-Saharan Africa. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: We used pooled data of young men and women aged 19-24 from comparable, nationally representative Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) conducted in Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia (nf = 7183; nm = 2207). METHODS: We estimated sex-disaggregated latent classes of six ACEs among young women and men. We ran Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) distal outcome analysis to test the sex-stratified relationships between ACEs latent classes and health outcomes. RESULTS: A six class solution best fit the female data. Classes included witnessing violence and experiencing physical violence (PV); experiencing PV; high ACEs; witnessing community violence; orphanhood; and low ACEs exposure. Among males, the best-fitting three-class solution included experiencing PV and witnessing community violence; high ACEs; and low ACEs exposure. Membership in the high ACEs class was associated with mental distress among females and males, and substance use among males. No differences in sexual risk behavior were identified by class membership among either females or males. CONCLUSIONS: Discrete clusters of co-occurring ACEs are associated with elevated odds of mental distress among females, and mental distress and substance use among males. Preventing ACEs may improve mental health among young women and men in LMICs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Parenting-related positive childhood experiences, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health-Four sub-Saharan African countries.

BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor mental health outcomes and risk-taking behaviors. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may mitigate these negative impacts. OBJECTIVE: This study 1) assessed the associations between ACEs and negative health outcomes and risk-taking behaviors among young adults, and 2) evaluated whether - and which - PCEs moderate the association between ACEs and these outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: This multi-country analysis combined cross-sectional representative survey data from young adults, ages 18-24 years, from the 2019 Kenya, 2018 Lesotho, 2019 Mozambique, and 2019 Namibia Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys. The association between experiencing any ACEs and each health outcome was assessed using Wald's chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed the association between each PCE and each outcome of interest. RESULTS: Females who experienced any ACEs had higher odds of experiencing moderate to severe mental distress (aOR = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.9, 3.9). Males who experienced any ACEs had higher odds of experiencing suicidal/self-harm behaviors (aOR = 6.7, 95%CI: 2.8, 16.0) and substance use (aOR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.4, 4.2). In females, strong mother-child relationship was protective against moderate to severe mental distress (aOR = 0.7, 95%CI: 0.6, 0.9), suicidal/self-harm behaviors (aOR = 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.9), and substance use (aOR = 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.9). For males, a strong mother-child relationship was protective against suicidal/self-harm behaviors (aOR = 0.5, 95%CI: 0.2, 0.9), and a strong father-child relationship was protective against suicidal/self-harm behaviors (aOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2, 0.7) and substance use (aOR = 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Strong parenting programs may likely play an important role in improving the psychosocial health of young adults.

Service-seeking behaviors among male victims of violence in five African countries: The effects of positive and adverse childhood experiences.

BACKGROUND: Violence against boys and men is widely under-reported. Boys and men face unique and gendered barriers to accessing services following experiences of violence. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study is a secondary data analysis of five nationally representative population-based Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) conducted in Kenya (2019), Côte d'Ivoire (2018), Lesotho (2018), Mozambique (2019), and Namibia (2019). Analysis was limited to males between 18 and 24 years who experienced lifetime physical or sexual violence. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We analyzed the association between positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs), and seeking post-violence services among males using bivariate chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 8.02 % (5.55-10.50 %) of male victims between the ages of 18 and 24 sought services for any lifetime physical or sexual violence. Witnessing interparental violence and experiencing death of one or both parents were each associated with increased odds of having sought post-violence services (aOR 2.43; 95 % CI: 1.25-4.79; aOR 2.27; 95 % CI: 1.14-4.50), controlling for education, violence frequency, and violence type. High parental monitoring was associated with increased odds of service seeking (aOR 1.79; 95 % CI: 1.02-3.16), while strong father-child relationship was associated with lower odds (aOR 0.45; 95 % CI: 0.23-0.89). CONCLUSION: These findings contribute to limited research on service-seeking behaviors among men and boys. While some parent-youth relationship factors were associated with higher odds of service-seeking, the outcome remained rare. Age and gender-related barriers should be addressed where post-violence care services are offered.

Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicountry analysis of the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS).

BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumatic events early in life and have been associated with significant negative health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ACEs in five low- and middle-income sub-Saharan African countries. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Nationally representative data from the Cote d'Ivoire (2018), Kenya (2019), Lesotho (2018), Mozambique (2019), and Namibia (2019) Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) were used. Analyses were restricted to youth ages 18-24 years (n = 8766 females and 2732 males). METHODS: VACS data were analyzed to generate sex-stratified weighted prevalence of individual ACEs (including sexual, physical, and emotional violence; witnessing interparental violence and violence in the community; and orphanhood) and aggregate ACEs (total ACEs; 0, 1-2, and 3 or more), for each country and combined. RESULTS: The most common type of ACEs among both females and males was witnessing physical violence (males: 55.0 % [95 % CI: 51.1-58.8] and females: 37.2 % [95 % CI = 34.3-40.1]) followed by experiencing physical violence (males: 49.7 % [95 % CI = 45.5-53.9] and in females: 36.5 % [95 % CI = 33.8-39.2]). Prevalence of sexual violence was significantly higher in females than in males (16.0 % [95 % CI = 13.9-18.2] vs 8.3 % [95 % CI = 7.0-9.8]; p < 0.001). About 72 % of females and 82 % of males have experienced at least one form of ACE with 20 % of females and 24.2 % of males experiencing 3 or more ACEs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that majority of the children in countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced multiple ACEs in their lifetime. Understanding the extent of the problem will help design early interventions to reduce childhood exposure to ACEs or mitigate against the harmful impact of ACEs.

Adverse childhood experiences, HIV and sexual risk behaviors - Five sub-Saharan countries, 2018-2020.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have negative, lasting effects on health including increasing the likelihood of engaging in sexual risk behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify associations between exposures to ACEs and sexual risk behaviors and HIV service utilization among young people. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A sample of 8023 sexually active young people (19-24 year olds) from five sub-Saharan African countries participated Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS). METHODS: Descriptive analysis of demographic variables, individual ACEs, cumulative ACEs, sexual risk behaviors, HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment (ART) and Antenatal Care (ANC) attendance were completed. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between both individual and cumulative ACEs, sexual HIV risk behaviors, and service utilization while controlling for important covariates such as demographic, having ever been pregnant, had an STI, and used contraception. RESULTS: Exposure to three or more ACEs was higher among males (26.1 %) compared to females (21.3 %); p = 0.003. The most prominent sexual risk behavior for females was having sexual partners who were at least 5 years older (45.7 % compared to males 3.7 %; p < 0.0001) whereas in males it was no or infrequent condom use (45.3 % compared to females 30.1 %; p < 0.0001). Males and females exposed to childhood sexual violence had seven and four times the odds of engaging in transactional sex (aOR = 7.34, 95 % CI: [3.5-15.0]) and (aOR =3.75, 95 % CI: [2.3-6.2], respectively. Females exposed to three or more ACEs were four times more likely to engage in transactional sex (aOR = 4.85, 95 %, CI: [1.6-14.4]) compared to those who did not experience any ACEs. Males exposed to three or more ACEs were two times more likely to engage in early sexual debut (aOR = 2.2, 95 % CI: [1.3-3.4]),]) compared to those who did not experience any ACEs. Females who had witnessed IPV or violence in the community had significantly higher odds of getting tested for HIV (aOR = 2.16, 95 % CI: [1.63-2.87]) and (aOR = 1.36, 95 % CI: [1.03-1.81]), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that experiencing ACEs during childhood is associated with higher HIV risk behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with unique differences between males and females.

Influence of the centralizing gastric cancer surgery on the health-related quality of life in Brazil.

Background: The assessment of health-related quality of life (QoL) has improved the treatment of gastric cancer. Aiming to compare the influence of skilled surgeons in general hospitals versus specialized hospitals in cancer in Brazil, this study evaluated the relationship between quality of life and types of hospitals (general or cancer) in treating patients with gastric adenocarcinoma operated by surgeons with specific training in Surgical Oncology. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 104 patients. Inferential analyses were used to compare two Brazilian general hospitals and a cancer center, evaluating scores of the SF-36 and FACT-Ga QoL questionnaires (Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test); gender, smoking, and Helicobacter pylori tests status (Pearson's Chi-Square test); ethnicity, alcoholism, location of the tumor in the stomach, Lauren's histological types, and type of surgery (Fisher's exact test), number of lymph nodes resected by Surgical Oncologists [Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a Fixed Factor], and comparative survival analysis (Log-Rank test). Results: Patients treated at a cancer hospital had higher scores of the FACT-Ga (FACT-G total score, P=0.023; physical well-being, PWB, P=0.006; and functional well-being, FWB, P=0.011). The mean scores of the SF-36 questionnaire showed similar behavior but without reaching a significant difference. Patients operated by Surgical Oncologists at the cancer hospital had better scores in emotional well-being FACT-Ga domain (EWB, P=0.034 and P=0.047) compared to those operated by Surgical Oncologists in general hospitals. There was no significant difference in survival among the three hospitals (P=0.214). Conclusions: In this study, it was possible to suggest the relationship between QoL assessment scores with the centralization of care at specialized cancer hospital in the treatment of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing surgery with curative intent in Brazil.

Moçambique. Manual de biossegurança e bioprotecção do instituto nacional de saúde / Biosafety and bioprotection manual of the national institute of health

Ao efectuarmos a revisão deste manual pretendemos apresentar uma nova dinâmica sobre os principais conceitos relativos a Biossegurança e Bioprotecção, suas interfaces essenciais e permitir que esses conhecimentos teóricos se desdobrem em acções práticas no dia-a-dia dos funcionários e colaboradores do e no INS, das re presentações locais, bem como da Rede de Laboratórios de Saúde Pública Humana do Sistema Nacional de Saúde (SNS). Nesta 2ª edição do manual iremos aprimorar os conceitos sobre Biossegurança, Bioprotecção, Biorisco e outros perigos que podem ocorrer em laboratórios, avaliação de riscos, níveis de biossegurança laboratorial, medidas de protecção individual e colectivas classifica das em barreiras primárias e secundárias, de controlo administrativos e de engenharia, adopção de boas práticas microbiológicas e de pro cedimentos (BPMP), medidas de precaução aceites universalmente e promoção da cultura do comportamento organizacional, iniciativas que induzam a manipulação segura de agentes e doenças emergentes e re-emergentes de carácter epidémico, endémico ou pandémico rumo a manutenção da segurança global em saúde…

Manual de biossegurança e bioprotecção 2ª edição, 2022 / Biosafety and bioprotection 2nd edition, 2022

A Biossegurança e Bioprotecção em Laboratórios de Saúde Pública, Laboratórios de Análises Clínicas e instituções de pesquisa em saúde são áreas do conhecimento relativamente novas, reguladas em vários países por um conjunto de leis, normas, directrizes e procedimentos específicos. Actualmente, a Biossegurança e a Bioprotecção são vistas como disciplinas científicas que requerem um domínio de conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes (CHA) multi-disciplinares. A aplicação dos princípios de Biossegurança e Bioprotecção é essencial para conter, prevenir, reduzir e eliminar os riscos de exposição por agentes microbiológicos, químicos, físicos, ergonómicos, acidentais e entre outros perigos que podem ou poderiam causar doenças de âmbito ocupacional. A Biossegurança e a Bioprotecção são também importantes para prevenir a exposição a riscos aos familiares de profissionais de saúde, utentes dos serviços de saúde, e para garantir a protecção do meio ambiente e da vida selvagem

High level of HIV false positives using EIA-based algorithm in survey: Importance of confirmatory testing.

The Mozambique Indicators of Immunization, Malaria and HIV/AIDS (IMASIDA) survey was conducted in 2015 and used a two Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) (Vironostika HIV-1/2 and Murex HIV-1/2) based algorithm to determine the HIV status of the consented participants. The Mozambique Ministry of Health, with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), added Bio-Rad Geenius™ HIV-1/2 Supplemental Assay to the IMASIDA HIV testing algorithm to confirm all specimens that were found to be reactive on one or both EIAs. In total 11690 specimens were collected to estimate the proportion of HIV positive samples. Results indicate that the proportion of HIV positive samples based on the concordant positive results of two EIA assays was 21.5% (2518/11690). The addition of the Geenius assay to the IMASIDA HIV testing algorithm demonstrated that 792 (31.5%) of 2518 specimens were false-positive and reduced the proportion of HIV positive samples to 14.7% (1722/11690), demonstrating the importance of including a highly specific HIV test to confirm HIV diagnosis. HIV surveys exclusively based on EIA testing algorithm may result in misleading high prevalence results. Our results demonstrate that more specific confirmatory testing should be added to the EIA-based algorithms to ensure accurate HIV diagnosis and correct HIV prevalence estimate in cross-sectional surveys.

HIV prevalence and TB in migrant miners communities of origin in Gaza Province, Mozambique: The need for increasing awareness and knowledge.

BACKGROUND: As part of ongoing efforts to generate evidence needed on HIV and tuberculosis (TB) to inform policies and programs aimed to improve the health outcomes of migrants and communities affected by migration and mining, a preliminary investigation was conducted through a biological and behavioral (BBS) approach related to HIV and TB in two communities of origin of migrant mineworkers in Gaza Province. The main objective was to determine the prevalence of HIV and the rates of asymptomatic infection by TB, and the social and behavioral risk factors associated. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2017 using a simple random sampling methodology. Eligible participants were individuals who were living in the community at the time the survey was conducted, which included adult mine workers and members of their families aged 18 and above. A socio-behavioral questionnaire was administered, blood specimens were collected for HIV testing (Determine/Unigold) and sputum for TB (GeneXpert MTB/RIF) was collected. The statistical analysis was performed using the R studio software to produce means, proportion and odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1012 participants were enrolled, 75.2% were females, with a median age of 34. The overall prevalence of HIV found in the two communities was 24.2% (CI: 21.6-27.0) and was higher in the rural community (31.6%; 95% CI: 27.0-35.3). The prevalence of active TB was found to be 0.3% (n = 3) while 7.5% of the participants self-reported to have been previously diagnosed with TB at some point in their life. Only 2.8% of participants had knowledge of the basic principles of TB transmission. Condom use at last sexual intercourse with a regular partner was low among both sexes (17.3% male and 12.6% female). A considerable proportion of participants had not been aware of their HIV positive serostatus(31.1% female and 25.0% male). About 1/3 of the participants had had a history of STIs. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey confirm a high prevalence of HIV in communities of origin of migrant miners in Gaza province. Findings also demonstrated low levels of awareness/ knowledge and prevention of TB and HIV. It is important to strengthen strategies that encourage regular HIV testing and TB screening. Appropriate communication interventions on methods of transmission and prevention of HIV and TB in these communities must be intensified, as well as ensuring ongoing linkage to TB and HIV social and healthcare services.

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Mozambicans Working in South African Mines

Mineworkers are considered a population at risk for HIV due to risk behaviors associated with migratory work patterns. This was the first study in Mozambique to determine the prevalence of HIV and associated demographic and risk behaviors, and assess use and access to prevention and healthcare services among Mozambicans working in South African mines. Men who had worked in a South African mine in the past 12 months were recruited between February and May 2012 using time location sampling (TLS) at the Ressano Garcia border between Mozambique and South Africa. Demographic and behavioral data were collected through a standardized questionnaire, and HIV prevalence was estimated by testing dried blood spots (DBS) with two enzyme immunoassays. In total, 432 eligible mine workers were recruited. Mean age was 43 years. Most were married or cohabitating; among them, 12.6 % had two or more wives/marital partners in Mozambique. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 24.7 % had an occasional sexual partner, and 6.6 % had at least one partner who was a female sex worker. Only one in five (18.5 %) used a condom during last sex. HIV prevalence among mineworkers was 22.3 %, and 74.6 % of those who tested positive as part of the survey did not know their status. HIV prevalence was significantly higher (p = 0.018) among those that were uncircumcised (31.2 %) than those who were circumcised (18.5 %). Multiple partners (multiple spouses, cross-border relations, and multiple occasional partnerships), inconsistent condom use, and a high proportion of infected mineworkers who do not know their HIV status increases the risk of HIV transmission in this population. Combination strategies involving the promotion of condom use, HIV testing, and male circumcision should be strengthened among mineworkers.

Quality of life as a fundamental outcome after curative intent gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma: lessons learned from patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer has an important epidemiologic impact, and the main curative therapeutic modality for gastric cancer is surgical resection. However, even curative intent therapy can have negative effects on the quality of life (QoL) of these patients, which is undesirable; thus, it is difficult to balance the standardized treatment reported in the literature and treatment response to achieve full patient satisfaction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the QoL and identify the association of scores on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Gastric (FACT-Ga) and Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF36v2) questionnaires with sociodemographic, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of gastric adenocarcinoma patients undergoing curative surgery. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 104 patients from three regions of Brazil. Inferential analyses were used to compare (multiple regression and Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests) the relationships between these scores and variables (Spearman's coefficient). RESULTS: In the multiple regression analysis, we found correlations between Helicobacter pylori status and physical well-being (PWB) (P=0.026), between gender and emotional well-being (EWB) (P=0.008), between Lauren's histology and physical functioning (P=0.009), as well as the Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) role-physical (P=0.027), between the tumor site and EWB (P=0.038), between the SF-36v2 mental health and N (the lower the staging, the better the score, P=0.006) and between the SF-36v2 mental health and lymph nodes removed (P=0.029). According to the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test, women had worse FACT-Ga total (P=0.049), PWB (P=0.005), EWB (P=0.007), gastric cancer subscale (GaCS, P=0.011), trial outcome index (TOI, P=0.030) and mental health scores than men (P=0.011). Patients with distal tumors had better scores (FACT-Ga, P=0.018; GaCS, P=0.014; TOI, P=0.020) than patients with proximal tumors. Patients with tumors located in the cardia had better physical functioning than those with proximal tumors (P=0.042). Patients who underwent partial gastrectomy had better FACT-Ga total scores (P=0.011), PWB (P=0.033), GaCS scores (P=0.006) and TOI scores (P=0.008) than those who underwent total gastrectomy. Patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy had worse bodily pain as reported on the SF-36v2 than those who received therapy (P=0.048). According to Spearman's coefficient, a higher lymph node stage corresponded to worse FACT-Ga total (s=-0.200, P=0.034), GaCS (s=-0.206, P=0.037), TOI (s=-0.216; P=0.028) and vitality (s=-0.215, P=0.029) scores. A longer time after treatment corresponded to a better SF-36v2 role-physical domain score (s=0.223; P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The type of treatment instituted, postoperative time and sociodemographic and anatomopathological factors influence the QoL.

High frequency of HBV in HIV-infected prisoners in Mozambique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among 448 HIV-infected prisoners from 32 prisons in Mozambique. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: All HIV seropositive prisoners were screened for HBV. FINDINGS: Of the 448 HIV seropositive prisoners, 51 (11.4 percent, 95%CI: 9.3-13.9 percent) were HBsAg-positive and was significantly higher in prisoners aged<25 years. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Data from this study show for the first time that the frequency of HBV among HIV-infected prisoners is high, suggesting that immediate interventions are needed during incarceration.

Small area estimation of under-5 mortality in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia using spatially misaligned data.

BACKGROUND: The under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) is an important metric of child health and survival. Country-level estimates of U5MR are readily available, but efforts to estimate U5MR subnationally have been limited, in part, due to spatial misalignment of available data sources (e.g., use of different administrative levels, or as a result of historical boundary changes). METHODS: We analyzed all available complete and summary birth history data in surveys and censuses in six countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia) at the finest geographic level available in each data source. We then developed small area estimation models capable of incorporating spatially misaligned data. These small area estimation models were applied to the birth history data in order to estimate trends in U5MR from 1980 to 2015 at the second administrative level in Cameroon, Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia and at the third administrative level in Bangladesh. RESULTS: We found substantial variation in U5MR in all six countries: there was more than a two-fold difference in U5MR between the area with the highest rate and the area with the lowest rate in every country. All areas in all countries experienced declines in U5MR between 1980 and 2015, but the degree varied both within and between countries. In Cameroon, Chad, Mozambique, and Zambia we found areas with U5MRs in 2015 that were higher than in other parts of the same country in 1980. Comparing subnational U5MR to country-level targets for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), we find that 12.8% of areas in Bangladesh did not meet the country-level target, although the country as whole did. A minority of areas in Chad, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia met the country-level MDG targets while these countries as a whole did not. CONCLUSIONS: Subnational estimates of U5MR reveal significant within-country variation. These estimates could be used for identifying high-need areas and positive deviants, tracking trends in geographic inequalities, and evaluating progress towards international development targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

First description of HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence in HIV-infected inmates in Mozambique.

No study has yet been conducted to estimate the burden of co-infection of HIV and HTLV-1/2 in inmates in sub-Saharan Africa. To investigate prevalence of co-infection in inmates in Mozambique, a total of 2140 inmates were screened for HIV, of which 515 were HIV seropositive. All HIV seropositive inmates were further screened for HTLV infection, and eight (1.55%) were co-infected. Co-infection was higher in females (3.45% [2/58; CI: 0.42-11.91]) as compared to males (1.35% [6/445; CI: 0.55-3.06]). Early screening of HTLV in prisons is urgently needed in Mozambique in order to improve the care provided to incarcerated individuals, including initiation of ART.

Socio-demographic, Behavioral and Health Characteristics of Underage Female Sex Workers in Mozambique: The Need to Protect a Generation from HIV Risk

Characteristics, HIV risk, and program coverage for underage female sex workers (FSW) are rarely systematically described worldwide. We compared characteristics of underage (15-17 years old) and adult (≥18 years old) FSW in three main urban areas of Mozambique (Maputo, Beira and Nampula) using data from three respondent-driven sampling surveys implemented in 2011-2012. Among survey participants, 9.8 % (39/400) in Maputo, 17.0 % (70/411) in Beira and 25.6 % (110/429) in Nampula were underage. Over half reported performing sex work to afford daily living, and 29.7-50.0 % had unprotected sex with their last client. The proportion of underage FSW having accessed care and prevention services was lower compared to adult FSW. While HIV prevalence among underage FSW was lower than in adults, it increased markedly with age. Our results point to the urgency of expanding prevention and care programs geared towards underage FSW.

High Burden of HIV Infection and Risk Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers in Three Main Urban Areas of Mozambique.

This is the first integrated biological and behavioral survey among female sex workers (FSW) in Mozambique. Using respondent-driven sampling, 400, 411 and 429 FSW were enrolled respectively in Maputo, Beira and Nampula in 2011-2012. Estimates were produced using RDSAT 7.1. HIV prevalence was 31.2, 23.6, and 17.8 % in each location respectively. Among HIV-positive FSW, 48.1, 79.8 and 89.6 % in each city, were unaware of their serostatus. Condom use at last sex with a client was 85.8, 73.4 and 62.8 % among FSW, respectively. HIV was associated with current age, age of first sex for money, low educational level, and having had a genital ulcer in the last 6 months. Results suggest the urgent need to increase behavioral and structural interventions in this key population.

CD4(+)CD25(High) Treg cells in HIV/HTLV co-infected patients with neuropathy: high expression of Alpha4 integrin and lower expression of Foxp3 transcription factor.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory CD4 T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Quantitative or phenotypic alterations and functional impairment of Tregs have been associated with the development of pathologies including those of the central nervous system. Individuals with HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infection are more prone to develop neurological complications. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically Treg cells in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected Mozambican individuals presenting neurological symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected individuals presentingneurological symptoms, with and without HTLV co-infection, and blood donors. Peripheral bloodmononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies conjugated with fluorochromes to quantifyTregs and activated T cells by four colors flow cytometry. RESULTS: Higher Treg cell frequency (10.6%) was noted in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected group with neurological symptoms when compared to HIV-1 mono-infected group with neurological symptoms (0.38%, p = 0.003) and control group (0.9%, p = 0.0105). An inverse correlation between Foxp3 and CD49d expression was observed in all study groups (rh = -0.71, p = 0.001). In addition, increased levels of Treg cells in co-infected patients were strongly associated with total activated CD4 T cells (rh = 0.8, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Treg cells in co-infected patients present phenotypic alterations and might have dysfunction marked by low expression of Foxp3 and increased expression of molecules not frequently seen on Treg cells, such as CD49d. These alterations may be related to (1) changes in Treg cell trafficking and migration, possibly making those cells susceptible to HIV infection, and (2) inability to control the activation and proliferation of effector T lymphocytes.

Socio-demographic, Behavioral and Health Characteristics of Underage Female Sex Workers in Mozambique: The Need to Protect a Generation from HIV Risk.

Characteristics, HIV risk, and program coverage for underage female sex workers (FSW) are rarely systematically described worldwide. We compared characteristics of underage (15-17 years old) and adult (≥18 years old) FSW in three main urban areas of Mozambique (Maputo, Beira and Nampula) using data from three respondent-driven sampling surveys implemented in 2011-2012. Among survey participants, 9.8 % (39/400) in Maputo, 17.0 % (70/411) in Beira and 25.6 % (110/429) in Nampula were underage. Over half reported performing sex work to afford daily living, and 29.7-50.0 % had unprotected sex with their last client. The proportion of underage FSW having accessed care and prevention services was lower compared to adult FSW. While HIV prevalence among underage FSW was lower than in adults, it increased markedly with age. Our results point to the urgency of expanding prevention and care programs geared towards underage FSW.

HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among Mozambicans working in South African mines.

Mineworkers are considered a population at risk for HIV due to risk behaviors associated with migratory work patterns. This was the first study in Mozambique to determine the prevalence of HIV and associated demographic and risk behaviors, and assess use and access to prevention and healthcare services among Mozambicans working in South African mines. Men who had worked in a South African mine in the past 12 months were recruited between February and May 2012 using time location sampling (TLS) at the Ressano Garcia border between Mozambique and South Africa. Demographic and behavioral data were collected through a standardized questionnaire, and HIV prevalence was estimated by testing dried blood spots (DBS) with two enzyme immunoassays. In total, 432 eligible mine workers were recruited. Mean age was 43 years. Most were married or cohabitating; among them, 12.6 % had two or more wives/marital partners in Mozambique. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 24.7 % had an occasional sexual partner, and 6.6 % had at least one partner who was a female sex worker. Only one in five (18.5 %) used a condom during last sex. HIV prevalence among mineworkers was 22.3 %, and 74.6 % of those who tested positive as part of the survey did not know their status. HIV prevalence was significantly higher (p = 0.018) among those that were uncircumcised (31.2 %) than those who were circumcised (18.5 %). Multiple partners (multiple spouses, cross-border relations, and multiple occasional partnerships), inconsistent condom use, and a high proportion of infected mineworkers who do not know their HIV status increases the risk of HIV transmission in this population. Combination strategies involving the promotion of condom use, HIV testing, and male circumcision should be strengthened among mineworkers.