University of Zimbabwe

About: University of Zimbabwe is a education organization based out in Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 4378 authors who have published 6800 publications receiving 160720 citations. The organization is also known as: UZ & University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Removing barriers to knowing HIV status: same-day mobile HIV testing in Zimbabwe.

Abstract: We developed a mobile HIV voluntary counseling testing (VCT) strategy. Our aims were (1) to describe those using the services (2) to assess the acceptability of such services (3) to assess reasons for not testing previously and (4) to compare those who used the services with those who did not to determine how to increase acceptability. We provided free anonymous mobile VCT using 2 rapid HIV tests in 12 marketplaces in Epworth and Seke Zimbabwe. Qualitative interviews were conducted to assess motivations for and barriers to testing. A subsample of HIV testers and individuals near testing vans who declined testing (nontesters) completed a questionnaire. A total of 1099 individuals participated in mobile VCT between March 2002 and August 2003. The proportion of participants infected with HIV was 29.2%. Overall 98.8% of participants elected to receive HIV test results the same day. Reasons for not testing previously were often logistic (eg inconvenience of hours [25.6%] and location [20.7%] or cost [8%]). Those who used the same-day mobile testing services (testers vs. nontesters) perceived themselves at higher risk for HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.8) but were less likely to have known people with HIV (AOR = 0.49) or where to get tested (AOR = 0.57). Same-day HIV testing in community settings seems to be acceptable in sub-Saharan Africa. Barriers to HIV testing are often logistic and can be overcome with community-based strategies. These strategies need to be refined to address the needs of those not using mobile testing services. (authors)

Nevirapine versus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir for HIV-infected children.

Abstract: Background Nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy is the predominant (and often the only) regimen available for children in resource-limited settings. Nevirapine resistance after exposure to the drug for prevention of maternal-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is common, a problem that has led to the recommendation of ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in such settings. Regardless of whether there has been prior exposure to nevirapine, the performance of nevirapine versus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in young children has not been rigorously established. Methods In a randomized trial conducted in six African countries and India, we compared the initiation of HIV treatment with zidovudine, lamivudine, and either nevirapine or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in HIV-infected children 2 to 36 months of age who had no prior exposure to nevirapine. The primary end point was virologic failure or discontinuation of treatment by study week 24. Results A total of 288 children were enrolled; the median p...