The Mae on Project: Using Acupuncture for Symptom Relief and Improved Quality of Life for People Living with Hiv and Aids in Rural Thailand

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Louie ◽  
Nopporn Pathanapornpandh ◽  
Unchalee Pultajuk ◽  
Robert Kaplan ◽  
Ian Hodgson ◽  
...  

Acupuncture in combination with antiretroviral therapies is a potentially useful treatment for HIV-related symptom relief in resource-poor settings. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being used to enhance immune function. In the setting of HIV, Chinese traditional medicine allows for symptom treatment without adding extra medications to a complex drug regime. This paper provides details of a project at Mae On Hospital in rural northern Thailand where allopathic/conventional treatments are used in tandem with acupuncture. A preliminary evaluation of the project suggests that an integrated approach to symptom relief is viewed positively by respondents receiving acupuncture, though further studies are required to confirm the association between acupuncture and symptom relief. The project also demonstrates the feasibility of developing a cost-effective acupuncture programme using local healthcare staff.

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-107
Author(s):  
Renitha Rampersad

In recent years, the interest in corporate social responsibility issues has shown an increase. Worldwide problems, especially those related to HIV/AIDS, caught public attention towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) themes. In a country with more people living with HIV/AIDS than in any other nation (UNAIDS 2007), prevention and treatment is critical. HIV/AIDS is seen to be threatening the communities in which businesses are functioning and is further threatening the business itself. This article examines the moral and social responsibility of the corporate sector in its effort to deal with the issue of HIV/AIDS. Big business leaders have recognized the threat of HIV/AIDS to the workplace and have positioned responses towards the disease from an ethical, legal and cost-effective business perspective; however the response from small to medium businesses is relatively weak. This article conveys a descriptive critique, based on bibliographic research on Corporate Social Responsibility, HIV/AIDS and related concepts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Robinson Simanungkalit

It is important to explain some important things on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This study was aimed to to provide a proper understanding on the HIV/AIDS. Consequently, this study described what the HIV/AIDS is, the history of the emergence of HIV/AIDS, the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and the effects of HIV/AIDS on infected human. People infected with HIV and AIDS are referred to as PLWHA (People living with HIV and AIDS). They may be church citizens. Therefore, the church must not "turn a blind eye", but is required to be proactive in responding to people who have infected with HIV/AIDS.BAHASA INDONESIA ABSTRACT: Sangatlah penting untuk menjelaskan beberapa hal penting tentang HIV/AIDS guna memberikan pemahaman yang benar tentang HIV/AIDS. Dibutuhkan penjelasan tentang apa itu HIV/AIDS, Sejarah munculnya HIV/AIDS, Penularan HIV/AIDS dan dampak yang ditimbulkan oleh HIV/AIDS terhadap orang- orang yang terinfeksi. Orang yang terinfeksi HIV dan AIDS itu disebut sebagai ODHA (Orang yang hidup dengan HIV dan AIDS). Mungkin saja mereka adalah warga gereja dan karena itu gereja tidak boleh “menutup mata” tetapi dituntut untuk proaktif dalam menyikapi keberadaan warganya yang terinfeksi HIV/AIDS.Keywords: HIV/AIDS, ODHA


Author(s):  
Martina Treskova ◽  
Stefan Scholz ◽  
Alexander Kuhlmann ◽  
Jörg Mahlich ◽  
Matthias Stoll

AbstractHIV has become a chronic disease since widespread of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Understanding the influence of therapeutic and preventive interventions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) is important. Information about health state utilities and HRQoL in PLWHA after the introduction of cART is limited, especially in Germany. The study aims to estimate and describe health state utilities and HRQoL in PLWHA in Germany and explore the effects of patient characteristics, clinical and treatment factors. Utilities and HRQoL in PLWHA in Germany were measured with the generic EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. Health state utilities were calculated based on the EQ-5D descriptive system using the German EQ-5D-3L time trade-off (TTO) value set. HRQoL was calculated based on the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Extensive descriptive analyses were performed to represent utility values for different groups of the patients. Generalized linear models (GLMs) with beta-inflated distributions were used to determine patient characteristics and clinical factors that influence TTO utilities and VAS scores. 1056 PLWHA completed the EQ-5D-3L questionnaires at the beginning of the study. The mean TTO utility value is 0.912 (SD ± 0.154), and the mean VAS HRQoL is 84.32 (SD ± 18.55). “Anxiety/depression” and “pain/physical discomfort” are the most affected dimensions. A longer period of living with HIV, a lower CD4-cell count, having symptomatic HIV or AIDS and an increased number of changes in therapy are associated with decreased utilities and a lower probability of having HRQoL of perfect health. No significant effect of duration of regimen was found. Depression significantly decreases TTO utility values. Higher education, full-time employment and female gender are associated with higher utilities. The resulted EQ-VAS values for PLWHA in Germany are comparable with EQ-VAS estimates for the general population. The obtained estimates can be used as inputs for health economic evaluations of HIV-interventions. Addressing anxiety and depression may reduce the quality of life impairment in PLWHA. Impact of comorbidities needs further investigation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Rüütel ◽  
Anneli Uusküla ◽  
Anastassia Minossenko ◽  
Helle-Mai Loit

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-268
Author(s):  
Edward Kibikyo Mukooza

Anaemia, a common hematological disorder in HIV infection, compromises the quality of life and treatment outcomes. At The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Entebbe, the records for the 2016-2018 period show a 10% prevalence of anaemia which is lower than that in literature where it is said to be up to 95%. This study determined the prevalence, type, severity, and determinants of anaemia among people living with HIV and AIDS who receive care from TASO Entebbe in Uganda. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 624 TASO clients. A checklist identified the clients’ Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) combination and viral load. The selected clients’ Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated to assess their nutritional status. A Fully Automated Humacount 60TS Three-Part Hematology Analyzer was used to measure hemoglobin and to do a full blood count. A blood film from each sample was manually examined for the type of anaemia. Data analysis was done with Stata MP 15. The prevalence of anaemia was 44.4%, and the anaemia was mostly mild (54.15%) to moderate (40.80%). Anaemia of inflammation was the commonest type (>58%). Gender, viral suppression, nutritional status, nutritional education, marital and economic status were significantly associated with the anaemia. Duration on ART had a protective effect, but this was not statistically significant. The prevalence of anaemia (44.4%) among the TASO-Entebbe Uganda clients was high, but the anaemia was mostly mild to moderate (>94%) and of inflammation type (>58%). Management of anaemia in HIV requires intentional screening since it compromises treatment outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosinah Gabaitse

In this paper I seek to interrogate how the theology of some Pentecostal churches, especially the theology that God heals HIV and AIDS, interacts with the situation of cross-border migrants in Botswana. I also seek to discuss the Botswana HIV policy which denies HIV-positive cross-border migrants access to Anti-Retroviral treatment (henceforth ARVs) which has proven to prolong and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV. Conflict exists between Botswana HIV policy on strict adherence to ARVs and some Pentecostal churches’ insistence that members of their churches living with HIV are healed by God, and therefore they should not take ARVs. While the Pentecostal Church is a ‘home away from home’ for migrants, their theology is in constant conflict and clashes with Botswana HIV health policy, even if the reality is that the same policy denies migrants access to HIV services. It is ironic that both the HIV policy and the Pentecostal theology are in pursuit of preserving life; yet, they both deny cross-border migrants that very life.


Author(s):  
Andi Suswani ◽  
A. Arsunan Arsin ◽  
Ridwan Amiruddin ◽  
Muhammad Syafar ◽  
Sukri Palutturi

Background: Good quality of life is a condition that must be achieved and maintained by PLHIVs. This study aims to identify factors related to the quality of life among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Bulukumba district.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted among 42 PLHIV. The samples were selected by using purposive sampling technique which was conducted for 30 days. Data was collected by using WHOQOL-HIV BREF and analyzed by logistic regression to identified factors related quality of life.Results: Most (52.4%) of PLHIV have not good quality of life. Bivariate analysis showed that behavior (p=0.0293), ARV access (p=0.0197) and adherence (p=0.0088) were factors that increased quality of life among PLHIV. Adherence variable was the greatest influence to the quality of life with OR 11.06 with CI 95% 1.22-100.38.Conclusions:Behavior, ARV access easily, and treatment adherence were factors that influence quality of life among PLHIV. Improving behavior, access ARV, and adherence are recommended to maintain quality of life.  


Curationis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa T. Ntshakala ◽  
Thandisizwe R. Mavundla ◽  
Bethabile L. Dolamo

Quality of life (QOL) domains that are context specific to people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Swaziland are unknown. This presents a problem when research has to be conducted on QOL of PLWHA who are on ART. As a result, this study was conducted to identify, validate and describe domains necessary to assess QOL of PLWHA, who are on ART in Swaziland. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was used for this study. The first phase dealt with a review of fifty existing QOL definitions and the identification of the common domains amongst them. Findings from this review revealed that the most common domains of QOL are the physiological, psychological, spiritual and socio-economic domains. The second phase was the validation of the above common domains identified from the examined QOL definitions to make them context specific to PLWHA who are on ART in Swaziland. A workshop was used to validate the domains with expert nurses involved in the care of PLWHA in Swaziland. The experts in ART care were trained on ART and had more than a year’s experience of working with PLWHA who are on ART. The validation process revealed that the essential context specific domains to consider when assessing QOL of PLWHA who are on ART are, (1) physiological domain, (2) psychological domain, (3) spiritual domain, (4) socio-economic domain, (5) cognitive domain, and (6) environmental domain. The process of validation of the domains was important as two extra domains were revealed, which were not initially recognised by the researcher during literature review.


Author(s):  
Collium Banda ◽  
Suspicion Mudzanire

This article uses the African communal concept of ubuntu to reflect on the ministry of Mashoko Christian Hospital (MCH), Zimbabwe, to people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS (PLWHA) during the early days since the discovery of the disease. The main question this article seeks to answer is: from a perspective of the African philosophy of ubuntu, how did the ministry of MCH to PLWHA challenge the fear and judgemental attitudes towards the disease within the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe? This leads to another question: what should the churches learn from MCH’s response to HIV and AIDS? This article only focusses on trends in conduct and not on a detailed history of engaging HIV and AIDS. The significance of this article is to demonstrate the important role played by faith-based organisations (FBOs) in complementing the compassion and care often lacking in the official churches’ response to HIV and AIDS.


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