HIV This Week

Bernays S, Rhodes T. Experiencing uncertain HIV treatment delivery in a transitional setting: qualitative study. AIDS Care. 2009;21(3):315-21.

Advances in HIV treatment availability mean that the promise of highly active anti-retroviral treatment to turn HIV into a manageable chronic illness is becoming a reality for millions. However the mutability of the virus means that treatment adherence demands are high, and the supply of these life-saving treatments needs to be constant. The onus is generally placed on the individual to adhere, and there is little focus in research or policy on the state’s adherence to delivering treatment consistently. Bernays and colleagues undertook in-depth qualitative interviews to explore the narratives of HIV treatment experience among 41 people living with HIV and 18 HIV treatment service providers in Serbia and Montenegro, a transitional setting in which state delivered and funded HIV treatment is inconsistently available. Data were analysed inductively and thematically. Treatment shortages were common so the delivery of appropriate HIV treatment was not continuous. Access to reliable treatment and supply forecast information was weak and uneven. The insecure treatment situation fostered significant anxiety amongst people living with HIV. In the absence of reliable and sustained treatment access, information, and support, people living with HIV absorb the anxieties of system failures. This uncertainty led to an individuation of “treatment”. People living with HIV adopted rationing strategies to mediate their anxiety, energy and hope. This predominately resulted in varying forms of disengagement and neglect for social change. It is likely that this has significant negative implications for the promotion of HIV treatment advocacy and anti-stigma efforts.

Editors’ note: Adherence literature to date has focused primarily on patient adherence to treatment regimens rather than on the social and psychological effects of involuntary treatment interruptions. Fragile treatment delivery undermines the quality of life and capacity of people living with HIV to manage it as a manageable, chronic illness. Although some people in this study reduced their anxiety by fostering networks and resources to gain access to information and treatment, a form of social capital to generate security, others withdrew, trusting no one but their treatment provider and becoming less likely to disclose to others. This research highlights the clear need for a social science of scale-up .

Sopheab H, Morineau G, Neal JJ, Saphonn V, Fylkesnes K. Sustained high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Cambodia: high turnover seriously challenges the 100% Condom Use Programme. BMC Infect Dis. 2008;8:167.

Cambodia ’s 100% Condom-Use Programme, implemented nationally in 2001, requires brothel-based female sex workers to use condoms with all clients. In 2005, Sopheab et al conducted a sexually transmitted infection survey among female sex workers. This paper presents sexually transmitted infection prevalence and related risk factors, and discusses prevalence trends in the context of the 100% Condom-Use Programme in Cambodia. From March-May, 1079 female sex workers from eight provinces consented to participate, provided specimens for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea testing, and were interviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with sexually transmitted infections. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infection was compared with data from the 1996 and 2001 sexually transmitted infection surveys. Most female sex workers were young (55% aged 15-24) and new to sex work ( 60% had worked 12 <or= months). Consistent condom use with clients was reported by 80% of female sex workers, but only 38% of female sex workers always used condoms with sweethearts or casual partners. Being new to sex work was the only factor significantly associated with “any sexually transmitted infection” (OR = 2.1). Prevalence of syphilis was 2.3%; chlamydia, 14.4%; gonorrhoea, 13.0%; and any sexually transmitted infection, 24.4%. Prevalence of each sexually transmitted infection in 2005 was significantly lower than in 1996, but essentially the same as prevalence observed in 2001. New female sex workers were found to have substantially higher prevalence than those with longer experience. The percent of female sex workers who used condoms consistently was high with clients but remained low with non-paying sex partners. Because of the high turnover of female sex workers, the prevention needs of new female sex workers should be ascertained and addressed. Despite 100% Condom-Use Programme implementation, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers was the same in 2005 as it was in 2001. Limited coverage and weak implementation capacity of the programme along with questionable quality of the sexually transmitted infection services are likely to have contributed to the sustained high prevalence. The programme should be carefully reviewed in terms of intensity, quality, and coverage.

Editors’ note: Successful 100% condom use programmes in Thailand in late 1989 and Cambodia in late 1998 were rigorously conducted with high coverage and intensity. Sustaining such results given the high turnover among sex workers requires regular evaluations of programme quality and impact. Using curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevalence makes sense as they are good biological markers reflecting recent risk behaviour but different data collection methods, specimen-sampling techniques, and laboratory methods can make comparison of survey results hazardous. One thing is clear – Cambodia’s 100% condom-use programme, implemented nationally in 2001, should focus attention on ascertaining and addressing the prevention needs of new sex workers.

Monteiro S. STD/AIDS prevention in Portuguese-speaking Africa: a review of the recent literature in the social sciences and health. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(3):680-6.

The article reviews academic literature in the social sciences and health on the problems and challenges of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV prevention in Portuguese-speaking African countries. Based on a bibliographic survey of the SciELO, PubMed, and Sociological Abstracts databases between 1997 and 2007, the research under review was organized into two groups, according to content. The first group of studies sought to understand sexually transmitted diseases and HIV vulnerability among social groups by examining local cultural and socioeconomic factors as related to gender dynamics, sexuality, colour/race, religion and health care. The second group encompassed critical assessments of shortcomings in the sexually transmitted diseases and HIV educational messages delivered by governments and international agencies. Attention is called to the way in which the presence of traditional medicine systems and the occurrence of civil wars in the post-colonial period affect the sexually transmitted diseases and HIV epidemic in the African countries under study.

Editors’ note: The Portuguese-speaking African countries, known by the acronym PALOP (Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa) are Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and São Tomé and Principe. Although there are cultural and socio-economic similarities between these countries, appreciation of local contexts is critical to understanding how healthcare practices, gender roles, and the interpretation of prevention messages are mediated locally by cultural dynamics and socio-economic and political contexts. This review suggests that demystifying condom use in a pragmatic CNN approach (condoms, needles, and negotiation) as opposed to the moralizing ABC approach (abstinence, be faithful, and condoms for marginalized populations), along with frank and open discussions of sexuality in public fora and the media, would achieve positive results, particularly if accompanied by advances in citizenship rights and equal opportunities.