African health sciences
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Hypertension in people living with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy in rural Tanzania.
Exposure to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV infection has been associated with hypertension, but whether and to what extent HIV-related factors and anti-retroviral treatment contribute to hypertension is not well defined; in addition, data are particularly scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and awareness of hypertension in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy in rural Tanzania, and to identify possible predictors of hypertension. A cross-sectional study on hypertension in PLWHIV was conducted at Tosamaganga District Hospital, Iringa Region, Tanzania. ⋯ Older age, higher BMI and lower baseline T-CD4 count were predictors of hypertension at multivariate analysis. The results of the study suggest that hypertension screening should become part of ordinary care of PLWHIV in Tanzania, particularly in subjects with more severe immunosuppression. Leveraging already existing HIV services could be an option to prevent the burden of non-AIDS complication and related deaths.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
The integrity of psychophysical visual function in non-immunocompromised PLHIV (NIPLHIV) without retinitis on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The present study investigated the integrity of contrast sensitivity (CS), colour vision, and pattern evoked vision potentials (VEP) in non-immunocompromised people living with HIV (NIPLHIV) without retinitis. ⋯ Contrast sensitivity function, colour vision, and VEP were uncompromised in NIPLHIV. Associations between CD4 counts with F100 total error scores and P100 latency may aid in the surveillance of vision of NIPLHIV.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Association of pro-fibrinolytic receptor AnnexinA2 with tissue plasminogen activator/Inhibitor-1 in pre-eclampsia.
The clinical manifestations of pre-eclampsia are related to placental anti-angiogenic factor alteration. These variations are mainly due to the alteration of plasminolytic components. The study aims to compare the expression of plasminolytic components in the placenta of women with and without pre-eclampsia. ⋯ Decreased AnxA2 with increased expression of PAI-1 and tPA may be responsible for the altered fibrinolytic activity and play a significant role in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
Lifestyle, vulnerability to stress and prevailing health conditions of ambulatory older patients in a care facility.
Lifestyle and vulnerability to stress are major determinants of age-related health outcomes. ⋯ Periodic exercise, alcohol use, and smoking were reported at varying degrees. High prevalence of vulnerability to stress and use of anti-hypertensives were also observed, and vulnerability to stress was associated with selected socio-demographics. These findings reinforce the need for routine education of this category of populace on healthy lifestyle for improved health.
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African health sciences · Mar 2023
High prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among key populations receiving antiretroviral therapy at a large HIV clinic in northern Uganda.
Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among key populations pose a significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but remains understudied. ⋯ RSB is highly prevalent among KPLHIV in northern Uganda so they should be targeted with HIV prevention and behavioural interventions to prevent potential HIV transmission to the general population.