Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) as a biomarker of alcohol consumption in HIV-positive patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Alcohol is heavily consumed in sub-Saharan Africa and affects HIV transmission and treatment and is difficult to measure. Our goal was to examine the test characteristics of a direct metabolite of alcohol consumption, phosphatidylethanol (PEth).

Methods: Persons infected with HIV were recruited from a large HIV clinic in southwestern Uganda.

Acceptability of routine HIV counselling and testing, and HIV seroprevalence in Ugandan hospitals.

Objective: Mulago and Mbarara hospitals are large tertiary hospitals in Uganda with a high HIV/AIDS burden. Until recently, HIV testing was available only upon request and payment. From November 2004, routine free HIV testing and counselling has been offered to improve testing coverage and the clinical management of patients.