Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0277787 (stigma)
 13,352 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The promising findings of ACTG 076, which identified a hopeful strategy for substantially reducing HIV transmission from mother to fetus, has stimulated a debate on counseling and testing protocols for pregnant women. This article presents an analysis of five state policy alternatives that address HIV counseling and testing. The policy analysis utilizes vertical and horizontal equity, user preference including avoidance of stigma and the right to privacy, effectiveness, and feasibility as evaluative criteria for examination of the policies. Interviews with state health department personnel enhance the policy analysis. While universal HIV counseling and voluntary testing for pregnant women emerges as the most acceptable policy, public health professionals must assume a vital role in facilitating the adoption of ethical and just state policies in an atmosphere sometimes hostile to women at risk for HIV.
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PMID:HIV testing of pregnant women: a policy analysis. 951 18

In India, interruptions to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are due to adverse drug reactions. This study was aimed to assess the association between HAART adherence and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. This prospective study was conducted at a Medicine department in a South Indian tertiary care teaching hospital. HIV-positive patients were interviewed for adherence using ACTG adherence questionnaire and intensively monitored for ADRs to HAART. The percentage of adherence was calculated based on missed doses, and graded as less than 80%, 80-95%, and >95%. The World Health Organization (WHO) probability scale was used for causality assessment. Logistic regression analysis as well as univariate analysis was used to assess the association (P value < 0.05). A total of 105 HIV-positive patients had been taking HAART out of whom 50 (47.6%) patients agreed for adherence assessment, and 23 (21.9%) refused due to social stigma. Upon evaluation of the patient characteristics in the reported adherence, 78% were in males (53.8%) and 22% were in females (46.2%) with the level of adherence greater than 95%. Six (12%) patients had a regular alcoholic intake with adherence less than 80% compared to 31 (62%) patients who never had any alcoholic intake (P < 0.05). A significant association between ADRs and adherence was found (P < 0.05). Causality found by the WHO scale was "probable." Clinicians must focus on education regarding the need for adherence, possible adverse effects, and early detection and prevention of ADRs to HAART.
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PMID:Association between Medication Adherence Outcomes and Adverse Drug Reactions to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Indian Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients. 2349 31