https://www.healthdisgroup.us/journals/journal-of-hiv-for-clinical-and-scientific-research A Peertechz Open Access Journal en-us 30 Aug, 2025 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-12-140.php Introduction: A balanced, nutrient-dense diet improves quality of life in people living with HIV (PLHIV), yet this population experiences disproportionately high rates of food and nutrition insecurity. Food is Medicine (FIM) programs for PLHIV have been associated with reduced internalized stigma, improved food security, and positive clinical outcomes, but there is limited research on FIM interventions for adolescents and young adults with HIV. Methods: The Medically Tailored Grocery (MTG) Program at Boston Children’s Hospital allows adolescents and young adults with LHIV who choose Instacart Fresh Funds to utilize a $200 monthly allowance within food category restrictions. We evaluated Fresh Funds participation from March 2024 to February 2025 and assessed fund usage, purchasing patterns, nutritional quality of purchased foods, and opportunities for nutrition education. Purchase reports were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Median monthly spending per participant was $141.64, with a bimodal distribution peaking at $0–$20 and $180–$200. Participants spent the highest percentage of their allotted funds on protein (29%), vegetables (23%), and fruit (20%), while grains accounted for the least amount spent (5%). Bread and yogurt were identified as important areas for nutrition education, as participants purchased the most products with added sugars in these categories. Conclusion: While some participants consistently used their full allowance of Fresh Funds, a substantial portion underutilized the funds. Overalan MTG program providing healthy groceries for PLHIV allows them to shop on their own for pre-identified healthy foods, thus increasing their intake of nutritious foods, especially lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. 24 Apr, 2025 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-12-139.php Point-of-care Testing (POCT) has transformed HIV care by enabling rapid, decentralized, and widely accessible diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings [1]. Currently, blood-based Viral Load (VL) testing remains the cornerstone for monitoring Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) effectiveness. However, expanding POCT to include Seminal Viral Load (SVL) testing is garnering interest due to its implications in sexual transmission, reproductive health, and ART efficacy in male genital compartments. 23 Jan, 2025 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-12-138.php A major global health concern is the co-infection of HIV/AIDS and TB, which increases rates of morbidity and mortality. The mortality ratios linked to HIV with TB co-infection are examined in this article through an analysis of epidemiological data of one window Service Treatment center in the rural area of Sindh Shaheed Benazir Abad District, This ART Treatment Centre Managed both HIV and TB coinfections in one center called One window Treatment Centre, underlying causes of elevated death rates in PLHIV with TB coinfection, and mitigation techniques. This research Article is based on the mortality ratios & death ratio in HIV with TB Patients of Different genders & age Groups. This research article is Brief Practice Experience research on Patients Living with HIV and having co Infection of TB, The Ratio of TB Co-infection in HIV Positive Clients & their Mortality Ratios, Death Ratio, and Contributing Factors in Rural Areas Sindh among the registered Clints in HIV Treatment & Support Centre Nawab shah. Immunocompetent individuals have a 5% - 10% lifetime risk of tuberculosis, while HIV-positive individuals have a 5% - 15% annual risk of active tuberculosis disease. In the last twenty years, tuberculosis has become a significant opportunistic infection that exacerbates the HIV epidemic globally, especially in Asia and Africa and Poor Countries such as Pakistan. This research is all based on Rural area Pakistan in Sindh province. 06 Feb, 2024 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-11-137.php Background: Modern antiretroviral therapy provides numerous effective and well-tolerated treatment options for individuals living with HIV. However, due to medication tolerability, toxicity, and cost optimization associated with the emergence of highly potent drugs, dual therapy has emerged as a new therapeutic alternative for patients with viral suppression. Observational studies worldwide are being conducted to assess the effectiveness of dual therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS. A real-world study is important to validate the findings obtained in controlled studies. Objective: Assess the effectiveness of dual therapy with lamivudine and dolutegravir compared to triple therapy in real-life settings. Methods: The study was conducted at São José Infectious Diseases Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil, for the treatment of PLWHA. Results: A total of 521 patients were taking double therapy with lamivudine plus dolutegravir and 450 patients were in triple therapy, mostly in the use of association with dolutegravir, were analyzed. Patients on dual therapy had a higher median age compared to those on triple therapy. A statistically significant higher viral suppression was observed in patients on dual therapy compared to triple therapy (p < 0,001). Viral suppression on dual therapy under 200 copies was 97.2%. There was a statistically significant higher percentage of patients with higher CD4/CD8 ratio using triple therapy compared to dual therapy. Conclusion: The current study suggests a higher effective response to dual therapy compared to triple therapy in PLWHA in the real-world, supporting therapy simplification as a sustainable option to maintain virological suppression in patients experiencing toxicity or comorbidities. 16 Nov, 2023 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-10-136.php Background: The management of HIV infection is often challenging as it can affect every organ in the body including the kidneys. Determination of the Resistivity Indices (RI) of the intra-renal arteries is an emerging non-invasive tool that could predict renal disease. Aims & objectives: To determine the renal volume, parenchymal pattern, as well as the RI of the intra-renal arteries by Doppler ultrasonography in adult HIV/AIDS patients and correlate findings with CD4 count, viral load and serum creatinine. Materials & methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional descriptive study that involved sonographic assessment of the renal dimensions, parenchymal echogenicity, and Doppler velocimetry of the segmental intra-renal arteries in 100 apparently healthy confirmed HIV-seronegative control subjects and an equal number of confirmed HIV-seropositive adult patients at Retroviral (RV) clinic of our hospital. A Doppler ultrasound machine with a 3.5MHz Curvilinear probe was used. Data analysis: Data obtained was analyzed and presented as means which were compared using Student’s t - test, and p values < 0.05 at 95% intervals were considered significant. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation. Results: The renal volumes were larger in the HIV/AIDS subjects (right: 125.94 ± 34.02 cm3 and left: 138.99 ± 33.29cm3) than in controls (p = < 0.01) with the left also larger than the right in both HIV/AIDS and control subjects (p = < 0.01, < 0.01) respectively. There were significantly more individuals with abnormal renal echogenicity in the HIV/AIDS subjects than in the controls. The RI was significantly greater in the HIV/AIDS than in control subjects. Both renal volumes showed a weak negative correlation with CD4, viral load, and serum creatinine which was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant weak negative correlation between renal echogenicity and CD4 but a positive correlation with viral load and serum creatinine. RI showed weak negative correlations with serum creatinine and weak positive correlations with CD4 count. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in renal volume, echogenicity, and RI in HIV/AIDS patients compared to the controls. Renal echogenicity is a better predictor of serum creatinine levels than renal volume and RI. Thus, renal volume and RI do not provide sufficient correlation to be used as a means of monitoring HIV/AIDS patients with renal impairment. 16 Feb, 2023 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-10-135.php Background: The use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has greatly improved the health and lifespan of people living with HIV, however, hepatic dysfunction has been associated with HIV. This study investigated the liver function biomarkers of women living with HIV and who are on ART. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV-positive pregnant women and HIV-positive non-pregnant women in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 330 women between 15-60 years participated in this study. HIV-negative pregnant and non-pregnant women served as a control to the test subjects. Sociodemographic data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for biochemical assay of the liver function biomarkers. The subjects were on Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Efavirenz (TLE) antiretroviral therapy. Data were analyzed statistically on IBM SPSS Version 25 using student’s t - test, ANOVA and compared using the Post hoc test. Results: The results obtained showed a significant increase at p ≤ 0.05 in the ALP, ALT and AST levels of both HIV-positive pregnant and non-pregnant women when compared to the control group. The serum TP level of HIV-positive pregnant women decreased in comparison to the control group. However, the decrease was not statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. A statistically significant increase in the total protein level was observed in the HIV-positive non-pregnant women when compared to the control group. The albumin level in HIV-positive pregnant women had a statistically insignificant increase in comparison to the control group. HIV-positive non-pregnant women had a decreased level of Albumin at p ≤ 0.05 in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that the HIV-positive pregnant and non-pregnant women on ART are prone to adverse alterations in their liver function biomarkers in comparison to the control groups, hence they are vulnerable to liver dysfunction. Thus proper care and regular investigations should be carried out on HIV-positive women on ART. 29 Dec, 2022 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-9-134.php Nigeria ranks third among countries with the highest burden of Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the world. The 2019 Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey showed that 1.9 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria as of 2018 [1]. 02 Sep, 2022 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-9-133.php The risk of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV 1 during breastfeeding ranges from 10% to 15% in the absence of maternal Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and infant Antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis. WHO guidelines 2016 recommend women living with HIV and fully supported for ART adherence should breastfeed for at least 12 months and up to 24 months or longer. Anyway, in high-income settings, women living with HIV are suggested to avoid breastfeeding, regardless of maternal viral load or antiretroviral therapy status. The advantages of breastfeeding in low and middle-income settings are well recognized. This brief narrative review aims to summarize existing evidence on mechanisms and risk factors for HIV transmission during breastfeeding and the possible prevention strategies in the context of ART adherence. 24 May, 2022 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-9-132.php Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a pathology associated with the presence of the JC virus, although it occurs in other conditions, nowadays most cases occur in patients with AIDS, in severe stages of immunosuppression. This condition, and hence its name, has always been associated with the presence of intracerebral lesions, where it can have a wide distribution. However, it is very rare, if ever, to report lesions of this disease in the spinal cord. We present a case of a 40-year-old patient, an HIV carrier in the AIDS stage, who, in addition to presenting brain lesions, had multiple lesions at the cervical spinal cord level. We believe that these lesions may be more common than believed and should be intentionally sought if possible. 04 May, 2020 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-7-130.php Background: Cryptosporidium species is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of diarrheal disease with life threatening condition in HIV/AIDS patients. Cryptosporidium species is one of the AIDS defining illnesses and associated with an increased risk of death compared to other AIDS-defining illnesses. 27 Apr, 2020 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-7-129.php Background: The study aims to determine the secular trends in HIV trials among the developed nations as well as regions with a high burden of HIV infection in the last two decades. Methods: Using the clinical trials.gov database, we identified the number of trials registered in the years 2000 to 2019 in developed nations as well as countries with a high burden of HIV. We used the search word “HIV infection” under Advanced Search option. We also searched for country specific no.of trials from the developed nations as well as the most populated regions in Africa and those with a high burden of HIV infection. 22 Jan, 2019 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-6-128.php Currently mycobacterium tuberculosis is major health issue to the Indian population as well as global. According to WHO around 8 million cases of Tuberculosis occur each year, which resulting in approximately 3 million deaths and the situation is more complicated due to emergence of multidrug-resistant TB. It is the leading cause of death worldwide and results from a single infectious agent, ranking over HIV/AIDS. 10 Nov, 2018 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-5-127.php Objective: Mortality of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)- infected patients have been reduced substantially since the introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). 10 Feb, 2018 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-5-126.php Occupational exposure and risk of acquiring the infections is a very serious issue and it plays an important role concerned to personnel safety in the laboratory. 20 Nov, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-125.php With over a million people diagnosed with HIV by the beginning of 2016, Russia has one of the world’s most rapidly developing HIV epidemics. Evidence suggests young women in Russia are at high risk for HIV and comprise a substantial portion of newly infected people. 29 Sep, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-124.php Though the HVI/AIDS prevalence rate in The Gambia is one of the lowest in the sub-region, the disease and its associated effects has always been a concern both to the government, non-governmental organizations, professionals, families, communities, development partners, etc. Over the decade a number of studies have been conducted in the areas of its mode of transmission, prevention, impacts, etc. However, there is none on the disease and the mobile population. 07 Sep, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-123.php Healthcare Is the fastest growing sector (5.6% increase in 2016) of the United States economy, comprising 17.8% ($3,2 trillion) of the gross domestic product. There are more than 18,000,000 American healthcare professionals (HCP) [1,2]. 29 Aug, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-122.php Background: One of the particularities of human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) infection in the tropics is its frequent association with parasitic diseases so frequent in this area. Aim: The aim of this study was to update the epidemiological and clinical profi le of intestinal parasites among HIV-positive patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) and preventive treatment in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 21 Jun, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-121.php We describe the care burden derived of a lung cancer screening program in HIV high risk patients. In a well selected group with the described criteria, one annual low-dose thoracic computed tomographic exploration can be applied to a 7.2% of the patients attended (95%CI 4.2-9.6), with at least one follow-up exploration in another 1.3%.with the generation of at least two extra visits for explanation of the protocol and results. 18 Mar, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-120.php Current efforts to fi nd a cure for HIV disease require that viral load assays be available to accurately detect and measure viral load in compartments other than peripheral blood. Over the years, HIV viral load assays have been adapted to measure viral presence in cerebral spinal fl uid (CSF), genital secretions and various other compartments. 27 Jan, 2017 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/articles/JHCSR-4-119.php During the last decade, the link between Human Immunodefi ciency Virus (HIV) infection and cardiovascular disease has received much attention. 19 Apr, 2016 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-3-118.php AIDS caused by HIV is an infection disease which was defined firstly in the USA in 1981. Since then, number of AIDS patients has increased continuously. About 36.9 million people are living with HIV around the world. Approximately 15 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy. 15 Feb, 2016 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-3-117.php The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of participatory approaches for working with ethnic minority women at risk of contracting HIV living in industrialized countries. The literature suggests that these women's sexual risk behaviors should be analyzed taking into account in the social context that reduces their power to negotiate condom use. 25 Sep, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-116.php Background: The Government of Kenya started offering ART in the public sector since 2003. Despite the dramatic reduction in AIDS related morbidity and mortality, the emergence and spread of drug resistance (DR) threatens to negatively impact on treatment regimens and compromise efforts to control the epidemic. Therefore, there is a need for information on the situation of DR Mutations (DRMS) and their implications on treatment. 18 Sep, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-115.php Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus pandemic has adversely affected the nutritional status of many children in the sub region, an area where malnutrition is also endemic. The study was aimed at assessing the burden of HIV infection among under five with severe acute malnutrition, determine its common forms, the outcomes and associated co-morbidities. 10 Sep, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-114.php Background: In high-income countries, viral load is routinely used for monitoring HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy for early detection of drug failure. This is not the case in most resource limited settings like ours where only WHO immunological and clinical criteria are used for monitoring. This study is aimed at determining the rate/time of failure to 1st and 2nd antiretroviral drugs in children in our centers. 14 Aug, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-113.php The nutritional status of HIV-infected children in terms of anthropometric indices and micronutrient concentrations is commonly compromised. Malnutrition is a risk factor for mortality at initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The role of HAART is pivotal in the management of HIV-infected children. Treatment with HAART has been shown to decrease mortality and improve CD4 counts and reduce viral load 23 Jul, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-112.php Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine antiretroviral drug resistance patterns in patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy presenting with OPC. Methods: An exploratory survey was performed among HIV-infected patients on ART for minimum of 24 months presenting with OPC in Nairobi, Kenya. 29 Jun, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-111.php Introduction: Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) targeting HIV exposed infants, happens over a period of time (6 weeks up to 18months), and employs different testing technologies at different testing time points. Being a process that is implemented over time and employing different testing technologies, a testing algorithm was designed to ensure reliable final diagnosis. This study was set out to estimate the level of adherence to the testing algorithm. 06 Apr, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-110.php The protease inhibitors are potent antiretroviral drugs because the protease activity is absolutely essential for production of infectious viruses. The newest class of drugs is the fusion inhibitors that blocks virus entry into cells. Persistent virus production is facilitated further by sub-inhibitory drug levels in infected cells or by host immune failure. Therefore, pre-existing or newly produced drug resistant mutants can emerge that have a selective advantage under drug pressure. These escape mutants become dominant in the virus population and lead to viral rebound and therapy failure. This review provides knowledge for improvement of antiretroviral drug administration programmes. 31 Mar, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-109.php Background: Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) is a set of interventions that contribute in reducing the risk of HIV transmission from mother (parents) to the child. The infant feeding choice in the HIV context remains a key item of PMTCT. 11 Jan, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-108.php Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are well known regulatory factor of physiological and developmental processes, it has been revealed that many miRNAs contribute the initiation and progression of various cancers. Micro RNAs are being reported in body fluids, such as serum, plasma, and urine, and can be readily used as non-invasive biomarkers for various diseases and served as a novel diagnostic and prognostic tools. 10 Jan, 2015 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-107.php Background: The success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) depends on a high level of adherence to a life-long regimen of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Adherence is a concern in children because of factors relating to children such as age, disclosure status of HIV sero- status, and understanding of the medication. Few studies have determined the level of adherence of ART among children since the scale-up of access to ARVs in the study areas. This study was thus undertaken to determine the level of ART adherence among pediatric patients at an ART clinic, the reasons for non-adherence, and the factors associated with adherence, according to mothers/caregivers' reports. 18 Dec, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-2-106.php The wide use of microbicide is mainly depends on its effectiveness, less frequent application, ready availability and most important cost. The aim of this work was to develop affordable microbicide mucoadhesive gel formulation of synthetic anti HIV drug, stavudine and to characterize it in terms of its physical properties, mucoadhesiveness and spreadability. The purpose of the present study was also to compare different dissolution media used for vaginal dosage form. 05 Dec, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-1-105.php Background: Malnutrition and weight loss are important characteristics in HIV/AIDS patients. The association between this type of pathology and oral health in HIV/AIDS patients maintains unclear in the literature. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and anthropometric conditions in adolescentstreated and non-treated with HIV infection in Maputo-MZ. 06 Sep, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-1-104.php Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causing Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major public health problem [1]. The rapid extension of HIV is a global health challenge that has both social and economic implications [2]. 18 Aug, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-1-103.php Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a stressful disease, and depression is frequently experienced by HIV-infected individuals. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether a holistic intervention could improve coping self-efficacy strategies and have a positive impact on the mental health of HIV-infected individuals 12 months posterior to the intervention. 18 Jun, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-1-102.php Background: The epidemiology of HIV should be understood especially with regard to various socio-demographic factors because the most effective approaches for its prevention and control are awareness and life style changes. 21 Apr, 2014 https://www.healthdisgroup.us/HIV-Clinical-Scientific-Research/JHCSR-1-101.php Background: Nurses, midwives and other health care workers are at risk from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other blood borne infections in the workplace. Post exposure prophylaxis of HIV is the only way to reduce risk of HIV after potential exposure to needle pricks, blood and body fluids.