Publications by authors named "Carolina Mejia"

Article Synopsis
  • This study examined people living with HIV in Cochabamba, Bolivia, who were also infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease.
  • Out of 116 HIV patients, 27.6% tested positive for chronic Chagas disease, with half of those confirmed by molecular testing (qPCR) and a smaller percentage by microscopy.
  • The research revealed a relationship between lower CD4+ counts and higher parasite loads, suggesting a need for screening and potential treatment for Chagas disease in HIV patients, especially those with weakened immune systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Male engagement is becoming more common in family planning (FP) strategies and interventions, yet effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of this approach lags. This review sought to understand how male engagement in FP is defined, identify gaps in M&E of male engagement and make recommendations. We conducted key informant interviews and a desk review of peer-reviewed articles and gray literature, including national FP strategies and policies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The integration of family planning (FP) and HIV-related services is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Little research has examined how FP quality of care differs between integrated and non-integrated facilities. Using nationally representative data from Malawi and Tanzania, we examined how HIV integration was associated with FP quality of care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: There are hardly any data available on the relationships between the parasite and the vector or regarding potential reservoirs involved in the natural transmission cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Tropics of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Local families from communities were responsible for the capture of triatomine specimens, following a strategic methodology based on entomological surveillance with community participation developed by the National Chagas Programme of the Ministry of Health of Bolivia.

Findings: We describe the collection of adult Panstrongylus geniculatus and Rhodnius robustus naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi from houses and from the hospital of Villa Tunari municipality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Early diagnosis of reactivated Chagas disease in HIV patients could be lifesaving. In Latin America, the diagnosis is made by microscopical detection of the T. cruzi parasite in the blood; a diagnostic test that lacks sensitivity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine in the field may set the stage for a changing landscape of diarrheal illness affecting children worldwide. Norovirus and rotavirus are the two major viral enteropathogens of childhood. This study describes the prevalence of norovirus and rotavirus 2 years after widespread rotavirus vaccination in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aims to evaluate condom use, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, and knowledge of STI symptoms among female sex workers in Peru associated with sex work venues and a community randomised trial of STI control. One component of the Peru PREVEN intervention conducted mobile-team outreach to female sex workers to reduce STIs and increase condom use and access to government clinics for STI screening and evaluation. Prevalence ratios were calculated using multivariate Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, clustering by city.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In Peru, commercial sex involving men and male-born travestis, transgenders and transsexuals (CSMT) is usually represented as a dangerous practice carried out on the streets by people experiencing economic hardship and social exclusion. However, in reality little is known about the complexities of this practice in Peru. This paper presents findings from an ethnographic study of the characteristics, patterns and sociocultural aspects of CSMT in three Peruvian cities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF