Publications by authors named "Ray Handema"

Background: Despite achievements in the HIV response, social and structural barriers impede access to HIV services for key populations (KP) including men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TGW), and people who inject drugs (PWID). This may be worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemic threats. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on HIV services and sexual and substance use behaviors among MSM/TGW and PWID in Zambia as part of a formative assessment for two biobehavioral surveys.

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Since the late nineteenth century, the importance of house structure as a determinant of malaria risk has been recognized. Few studies to date have examined the association of housing and malaria in clinical populations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of febrile patients (n = 282) at two rural health clinics in a high malaria-transmission area of northern Zambia.

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Background: HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) poses a threat to the HIV epidemic control in Zambia especially in sub-populations such as the 15-24 years where there is poor virological suppression. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of HIVDR in this population (15-24 years) will contribute to defining effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens, improving clinical decision making, and supporting behavioral change interventions needed to achieve HIV epidemic control.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of study enrollment data from the Project YES! Youth Engaging for Success randomized controlled trial was conducted.

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Traditional fermented foods and beverages are common in many countries, including Zambia. While the general (nutritional) benefits of fermented foods are widely recognised, the nutritional composition of most traditional fermented foods is unknown. Furthermore, fermentation is known to add nutritional value to raw materials, mainly by adding B-vitamins and removing anti-nutritional factors.

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Zambia is still facing undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies despite fortification and supplementation programmes stressing the need for additional solutions. Fermented foods have the potential to improve nutrient intake and, therefore, could have an important role in food based recommendations (FBRs) to ensure adequate intake of nutrients for optimal health of populations. Secondary dietary intake data was used in Optifood, a linear programming software to develop FBRs, for children aged 1-3 and 4-5 years in Mkushi district of Zambia.

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Periodic monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns in clinical settings is vital to ascertain the potency as well as re-establishing empirical therapy. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pathogens isolated from routine laboratory specimens at Ndola Teaching Hospital. A retrospective study was conducted on routine specimens received between May 2016 and July 2018.

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The sub-Saharan African region has been disproportionately affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Zambia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates within this region. Moreover, new incidences of HIV infection are increasing most rapidly among those 15 to 24 years of age. Though young people are at high risk for HIV infection, street youth are even more vulnerable given their exposure to high risk behaviors.

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A1 Introduction to the 2nd synchronicity forum of GHRI/CHVI-funded Canadian and African HIV prevention and vaccine teams O1 Voluntary medical male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV in adult males in Soweto: What do indicators and incidence rate show? Hillary Mukudu, Neil Martinson, Benn Sartorius O2 Developing a peer-led community mobilization program for sex workers in Soweto: HIV risk and demographics Jenny Coetzee, Janan Dietrich, Kgaugelo Mokgatswana, Rachel Jewkes, Glenda E. Gray O3 Salient beliefs about adherence: A qualitative survey conducted as part of the demonstration study on "treatment as prevention" (TasP) and "pre-exposure prophylaxis" (PrEP) among female sex workers (FSWS) in Cotonou, Benin Marylène Dugas, Luc Béhanzin, Fernand A. Guédou, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Michel Alary O4 Relative perception of risk as a driver of unsafe sexual practices among key populations: Cases of fisherfolk and women and their partners involved in multiple sexual partnerships in Uganda Rwamahe Rutakumwa, Martin Mbonye, Thadeus Kiwanuka, Sarah Nakamanya, Richard Muhumuza, Winfred Nalukenge, Janet Seeley O5 Exploring the acceptability of new biomedical HIV prevention technologies among MSM, adolescents and heterosexual adults in South Africa Millicent Atujuna, Melissa Wallace, Ben Brown, Linda Gail Bekker, Peter A.

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Background: High rates of substance use have been reported among youth in Zambia. This is particularly concerning given that substance use is one of the biggest risk factors placing young people at risk for HIV infection.

Objectives: The purpose of the current study is to examine how multi-level risk and protective factors (i.

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Article Synopsis
  • Zambia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally, currently at 14%, exacerbated by malnutrition issues, prompting government strategies that include access to antiretroviral treatment and nutritional support.
  • The study will assess the impact of a high-energy protein supplement (HEPS) on the nutritional status of HIV-infected females starting ARV treatment, using comprehensive body composition analysis over 12 months.
  • This research aims to fill gaps in understanding the nutritional effects of food supplements on individuals with HIV/AIDS, employing techniques less commonly utilized in Zambia.
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This study assessed the impact of adding community-directed treatment (ComDT) to the routine health facility (HF)-based treatment on prevalence and intensity of soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections among children aged 12 to 59 months. Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted among randomly selected children of this age group from the intervention area (HF+ComDT area) and the comparison area (HF area) at baseline (n=986), 12 months (n=796) and 18 months (n=788) follow-up. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was significantly higher in the HF+ComDT as compared to the HF area at baseline (P=0·048), but not at 12 and 18 months follow-up.

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The current approach of delivering anthelminthic drugs to children aged 12-59 months through health facilities during child health week (CHW) results in low treatment coverage in certain areas of Zambia. This study was designed to determine the impact on treatment coverage of adding community-directed treatment (ComDT) to the health facility (HF) approach. Treatment coverage was compared in two areas, one with the HF approach alone (HF area) and the other where ComDT was added to the HF approach (HF + ComDT area).

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Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world, with almost 46 million people infected globally. HIV-1 subtype C accounts for 55% of these infections. In Zambia, the majority of HIV-1 infections are subtype C.

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The ability of HIV-1 to evolve resistance to antiretroviral drugs leads to treatment failure. By nucleotide sequencing of HIV-1 subtype B isolates, amino acids responsible for drug resistance have been identified. Less information is available, however, on the extent and distribution of these amino acids in HIV-1 nonsubtype B viruses circulating mainly in developing countries.

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