Browsing by Author "Wanyama, Jane N."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Persons living with HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy also consulting traditional healers: a study in three African countries
    (International journal of STD & AIDS, 2017) Wanyama, Jane N.; Tsui, Sharon; Kwok, Cynthia; Wanyenze, Rhoda K.; Denison, Julie A.; Koole, Olivier; van Praag, Eric; Castelnuovo, Barbara; Wabwire-Mangen, Fred; Kwesigabo, Gideon P.; Colebunders, Robert
    Traditional healers provide healthcare to a substantial proportion of people living with HIV infection (PLHIV) in high HIV burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the impact on the health of retained patients visiting traditional healers is unknown. In 2011, a study to asses adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) performed in 18 purposefully selected HIV treatment centers in Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda showed that ‘consulting a traditional healer/herbalist because of HIV’ was an independent risk factor for incomplete ART adherence. To identify characteristics of PLHIV on ART who were also consulting traditional healers, we conducted a secondary analysis of the data from this study. It was found that 260 (5.8%) of the 4451 patients enrolled in the study had consulted a traditional healer during the last three months because of HIV. In multivariable analysis, patients with fewer HIV symptoms, those who had been on ART for >5.3 years and those from Tanzania were more likely to have consulted a traditional healer. However, at the time of the study, there was a famous healer in Manyara district, Loliondo village of Tanzania who claimed his herbal remedy was able to cure all chronic diseases including HIV. HIV treatment programs should be aware that patients with fewer HIV symptoms, those who have been on ART for five or more years, and patients attending ART centers near famous traditional healers are likely to consult traditional healers. Such patients may need more support or counseling about the risks of both stopping ART and poor adherence. Considering the realities of inadequate human resources for health and the burden of disease caused by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating a collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners is recommended.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Sexual Behaviors over a 3-Year Period among Individuals with Advanced HIV/AIDS Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in an Urban HIV Clinic in Kampala, Uganda
    (Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes, 2011) Wandera, Bonnie; Kamya, Moses R.; Castelnuovo, Barbara; Kiragga, Agnes; Kambugu, Andrew; Wanyama, Jane N.; Easterbrook, Philippa; Sethi, Ajay K.
    Few studies have prospectively examined sexual behaviors of HIV-infected person on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa.From 2004 to 2005, 559 HIV-infected, ART-naïve individuals initiating ART at an HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda were enrolled into a prospective study and followed to 2008. Clinical and sexual behavior information was assessed at enrollment and semi-annually for three years after ART initiation. Using log-binomial regression models, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) to determine factors associated with being sexually active and having unprotected sex over three-years after initiating ART.559 adults contributed 2,594 person-visits of follow-up. At the time of ART initiation, 323 (57.9%) were sexually active of which 176 (54.5%) had unprotected sex at last sexual intercourse. Majority (63.4%) of married individuals were unaware of their partner’s HIV status. Female gender (PR=2.97; 95% CI: 1.85, 4.79), being married (PR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.06), and reporting unprotected sex prior to ART (PR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.42) were among factors independently associated with unprotected sex while on ART. Overall, 7.3% of visit intervals of unprotected sex, 1.0% of intervals of sexual activity, occurred when plasma viral load >1,500 copies/ml, representing periods of greater HIV transmission risk.Although unprotected sex reduced over time, women reported unprotected sex more often than men. Disclosure of HIV status was low. Integration of comprehensive prevention programs into HIV care is needed, particularly ones specific for women.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Significant rates of risky sexual behaviours among HIV-infected patients failing first-line ART: A sub-study of the Europe–Africa Research Network for the Evaluation of Second-line Therapy trial
    (International journal of STD & AIDS, 2018) Wanyama, Jane N.; Nabaggala, Maria S.; Wandera, Bonnie; Kiragga, Agnes N.; Castelnuovo, Barbara; Mambule, Ivan K.; Nakajubi, Josephine; Kambugu, Andrew D.; Paton, Nicholas I.; Colebunders, Robert; Wanyenze, Rhoda K.; Easterbrook, Philippa
    There are limited data on the prevalence of risky sexual behaviours in individuals failing first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) and changes in sexual behaviour after switch to second-line ART. We undertook a sexual behaviour sub-study of Ugandan adults enrolled in the Europe–Africa Research Network for the Evaluation of Second-line Therapy trial. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect sexual behaviour data and, in particular, risky sexual behaviours (defined as additional sexual partners to main sexual partner, inconsistent use of condoms, non-disclosure to sexual partners, and exchange of money for sex). Of the 79 participants enrolled in the sub-study, 62% were female, median age (IQR) was 37 (32–42) years, median CD4 cell count (IQR) was 79 (50–153) cells/ml, and median HIV viral load log was 4.9 copies/ml (IQR: 4.5–5.3) at enrolment. The majority were in long-term stable relationships; 69.6% had a main sexual partner and 87.3% of these had been sexually active in the preceding six months. At enrolment, around 20% reported other sexual partners, but this was higher among men than women (36% versus 6.7 %, p<0.001). In 50% there was inconsistent condom use with their main sexual partner and a similar proportion with other sexual partners, both at baseline and follow-up. Forty-three per cent of participants had not disclosed their HIV status to their main sexual partner (73% with other sexual partners) at enrolment, which was similar in men and women. Overall, there was no significant change in these sexual behaviours over the 96 weeks following switch to second-line ART, but rate of non-disclosure of HIV status declined significantly (43.6% versus 19.6%, p<0.05). Among persons failing first-line ART, risky sexual behaviours were prevalent, which has implications for potential onward transmission of drug-resistant virus. There is need to intensify sexual risk reduction counselling and promotion of partner testing and disclosure, especially at diagnosis of treatment failure and following switch to second- or third-line ART.