2^nd International Conference on
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Infections and AIDS

Biography:

I am Nurse Midwife by profession. I work at Malawi College of Health Sciences as a principal. I obtained Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and Midwifery in 2016 at North West University, Republic of South Africa. I have vast experience Maternal and neonatal health. I am a lecturer and a master trainer in sexual and reproductive health and accumulated experience I have also worked with John Hopkins International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JPIEGO) as a Master Trainer in Reproductive and sexual health issues including HIV Aids and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT). I am a board member of Youth Net and Counselling an organisation which promotes prevention and mitigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS including. prevention of HIV/ AIDs in sexual workers.

Abstract:

Globally, the HIV prevalence among Female Sex Workers (FSW) is 12%, with a higher prevalence of 37% in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of HIV in Malawi is disproportionately high among the sex workers despite prevention activities. HIV-infected FSW have a higher number of sexual partners compared to other women of reproductive age, increasing the likelihood of HIV acquisition, as well as transmission to their clients. It is important that effective strategies are available to reduce HIV acquisition and transmission.

Youth Net and Counseling is an organization that is providing services to sex workers to intensify HIV prevention interventions. Services that are provided include HIV testing and counseling of sex workers and their most likely customers at different centers as well as at their work places. In addition to providing treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) those that are HIV positive to mitigate the impact of HIV AIDs.

Biography:

CHRISTINE NAMUKASA-BA (SW)-Dip-PPM-4years –Project planning, monitoring, evaluation and coordination.

 Program Officer/ HIV/AIDs Coordinator: - ALLIED EFFORTS FOR COMMUNITY NETWORK ORGANIZATION.-KAMPALA-UGANDA

Abstract:

This presentation documents the experience of ALLIED Efforts for Community Network Organization a rural Community Based Organization in Uganda targeting Most At risk Populations (MARPs) to HIV/AIDS.

The project implemented aims at reducing HIV/AIDS/STs transmission among the MARPs who include Commercial sex workers and their clients, particularly, truck drivers.

 Strategies deployed include establishment of health service centers, psychosocial support, economic empowerment for safer income alternatives, HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), peer education, dissemination of messages on socio-cultural factors escalating HIV/AIDS and safer sex.

Commercial sex work is illegal in Uganda but Policy on HIV/AIDS acknowledges the victims as at risk Populations.  Policies provide the framework guiding interventions that include, bringing on board local community members, government, community organizations and beneficiaries for community mobilization and awareness raising on HIV/AIDS. Project challenges include limited resources and upsurge in demand for services. As a way forward, it is imperative to continue sustainable combination HIV prevention strategies to curb its surge.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

HIV is one of the leading causes of death worldwide; Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most gravely affected region of the world. In Uganda targeting of prevention efforts to Most-at-risk Population is a strategy being used to address HIV epidemics. By focusing programmes towards populations and behaviors conferring a large proportion of new infections, greater impact can be made in halting the epidemic.

Although commercial sex work is illegal in Uganda, the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP, 2016 – 2017), recognizes that, commercial sex workers and their clients are one of the Most at Risk Populations (MARPS). The Modes of Transmission study, 2017 reveals that, Commercial sex workers, their clients and partners of clients contribute 10% of new HIV infections. Sex workers serve several clients a day and each sexual encounter is associated with some form of risk hence a community risk. There is also evidence that, while 99% of Commercial sex workers report use of condoms, consistent condom use is very low among their clients,). Such sexual practices with inconsistent condom use are a danger to the community. With the emerging issues in the prevention of HIV that include the right to health and services, Gender Based Violence, Male Medical Circumcision, Post Exposure Prophylaxis among others we have a challenge and an opportunity  to strongly adopt these issues as we strive to the curb the escalation of the AIDS/ST1s  epidemic.

This presentation will document what our organization has done to address these challenges. It will detail the challenges and the opportunities in the provision of HIV and STIs prevention and control   services to Most At Risk Populations   today in a developing country.  Strategies and good practices that address the empowerment of Most at Risk Populations will also be addressed.

Biography:

Abdul is the deputy director at School of public health and research, Somali national university. His research interest involve in the field of infectious diseases, maternal and child health as well as occupational and environmental health. He authored number of international peer-reviewed articles.

Abstract:

HIV-stigma and the resultant fear of being identified as HIV-positive can compromise the effectivenes of HIV programs by undermining early daignosis and anti-retroviral treatment initiation and adherence of people living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA). The aim of this study is to explore the situation of PLWHA to better inform researchers, program managers and policymakers in order to improve the national response to HIVAIDS, and to scale up testing and treatment of HIV in Somalia.

A qualitative study using unstructured interviews was conducted in Mogadishu from September to Decemeber of 2017. A convinience sampling approach was used to recruit 13 participants, including 10 persons who live with HIVAIDS and three senior officials who work for the HIV program at the Ministry of Health. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis.

Our findings show that people do not seek voluntary diagnosis and treatment of HIV. They come to know about their status when their partners are found HIV positive, they are tested for other clinical purposes, or when an individual’s health deteriorates, and all other means fail to work in improving hisher situation. The study reports a widespread stigma subjected to PLWHA by their family members, society, employers and health providers, which continue to undermine the scale-up of testing and treatment of PLWHA in Somalia. The study also pointed out a shortage of facilities that provide HIV diagnosis, counselling and treatment, which is another critical challenge in HIV control program in Somalia. Addressing stigma and discrimination subjected to PLWHA are critical to a successful HIV response in Somalia. However, to adress stigma, HIV programmes need evidence on effective interventions at individual, community and societal levels in order to strategically incorporate stigma and discrimination reduction into national HIVAIDS programs.

Biography:

Irina Ferreira is an Angolan born British doctor who trained in the UK and after completing a master’s degree in infectious disease has decided to move to Angola to practice medicine. Her passion is tropical medicine and she wanted to move to Angola in the hope if making a difference to the health care system. She is currently an internist at Sagrada esperança. Dra Ana Abreu is an Angolan doctor trained in Portugal who has been working in Angola as an internist for the past 7 years and specializes in HIV care.

Abstract:

A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department with extensive, nodular skin lesions all over his body, getting progressively worse over a 1-year period. The patient was an electrician and denied any recent travel outside of Angola. Physical examination revealed peri-orbital oedema; violaceous plaques on the soft palate; violaceous nodules and plaques on his face, chest and upper limbs and multiple nodular, ulcerated and exophytic lesions on his lower limbs with severe bilateral leg and scrotal oedema (Images A and B). Laboratory studies revealed anemia with Hb 8.1g/dl (reference range 13-15g/dl), positive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and a CD4+ count of 44 cells per cubic millimeter (reference range 500- 1500 cells/mm3). A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of nodular Kaposi Sarcoma. Upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy showed extensive involvement of the colon but minimal involvement of the upper GI tract (Image C). Antiretroviral therapy was initiated, and the patient underwent 1 cycle of chemotherapy and was discharged. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a malignant vascular tumor caused by the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and is an Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) defining illness with a variable course and clinical presentation. Peri-orbital edema, lymphedema and extensive lesions, as seen in this patient are poor prognostic signs. One week after chemotherapy the patient presented to the emergency department with episodes of hematochezia, severe anemia (Hb 5.1g/dl) and in hypovolemic shock with a lactate of 12 mmol/L (reference range 0.5-1mmol/L) and in severe acidosis with pH 7.18 (reference range pH 7.35-7.45). Unfortunately, he passed away within hours of admission.