Religious Leaders as Trusted Messengers in Combatting Hypertension in Rural Tanzanian Communities.

Background: Hypertension is a growing public health emergency in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Based on the known influence of religious leaders in rural sub-Saharan Africa and our prior research, we explored perspectives of religious leaders on hypertension and potential strategies to improve hypertension control in their communities.

Methods: We conducted 31 in-depth interviews with Christian (n = 17) and Muslim (n = 14) religious leaders in rural Tanzania.

Development and evaluation of a pilot nurse case management model to address multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and HIV in South Africa.

Setting: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) unit in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a nurse case management model and intervention using the tenets of the Chronic Care Model to manage treatment for MDR-TB patients with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection.

Design: A quasi-experimental pilot programme utilizing a nurse case manager to manage care for 40 hospitalized MDR-TB patients, 70% HIV co-infected, during the intensive phase of MDR-TB treatment.

Prevalence and seroincidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in high risk people who inject drugs in china and Thailand.

We determined the prevalence and incidence of HBV and HCV infection in people who inject drugs (PWIDs) at high risk for HIV in China and Thailand and determined the association of HBV and HCV incidence with urine opiate test results and with short-term versus long-term buprenorphine-naloxone (B-N) treatment use in a randomized clinical trial (HPTN 058). 13.8% of 1049 PWIDs in China and 13.

Physician estimate of antiretroviral adherence in India: poor correlation with patient self-report and viral load.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical in maintaining viral suppression and minimizing resistance in HIV-infected patients. We compared physician estimates of their patients' ART adherence with participant's self-reported adherence to determine patient-provider agreement and identify correlates of discordance in three private clinics in Mumbai, India. Between December 2004 and April 2005, 277 persons receiving ART at three private clinics in Mumbai, India, were interviewed regarding adherence to ART using the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group questionnaire.

One-, two-, and three-class resistance among HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in private care clinics: Mumbai, India.

HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy (ART) in India are not all adequately virally suppressed. We analyzed ARV drug resistance in adults receiving ART in three private clinics in Mumbai, India. HIV viral load was measured in 200 patients with the Roche AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor Test, v1.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and virologic suppression among HIV-infected persons receiving care in private clinics in Mumbai, India.

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and correlates of adherence and virologic suppression among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons receiving ART in private, outpatient clinics in India is unknown.

Methods: Between December 2004 and April 2005, persons receiving ART at 3 private clinics in Mumbai, India, were interviewed regarding HIV care and adherence to ART. Physicians also completed a survey for each participant.

Same-sex behavior and high rates of HIV among men attending sexually transmitted infection clinics in Pune, India (1993-2002).

Objectives: To determine HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence, trends, and risk behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) and compare these with those of non-MSM attending STI clinics in Pune, India over a 10-year period.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: From 1993 through 2002, men attending 3 STI clinics in Pune underwent HIV/STI screening.

Complication rates among cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheters.

Purpose: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used to deliver outpatient courses of intravenous therapy. However, the rates and risks of complication for this device have not been well-studied. Our objective was to determine the incidence and risk factors of PICC-related complications with a 1-year prospective observational study.