Gender and the Use of Antiretroviral Treatment in Resource-Constrained Settings: Findings from a Multicenter Collaboration

Abstract

Women in resource-constrained settings are not necessarily disadvantaged in their access to HAART. More attention needs to be paid to ensuring that HIV-infected men are seeking care and starting HAART.

Influence of Spirituality and Religion on Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Adult HIV/AIDS Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

“…Proportionally, more females were found to be adherent to HAART compared to males with statistical significance (p 5 0.015). This finding is similar to that reported by Braitstein and colleagues, following a review of ART in low-income countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia that found more women assessing and adherent to HAART and less likely to have advanced HIV [28]. A South African study reported similar finding [39].…”

“…Gender disparity in access to HAART, as observed in this study, was also observed in a multicenter study in 13 lowincome countries, where a male-female ratio of 2:3 was found [28]. In addition, Bello et al reported that the proportion of females on HAART was twofold than that of males in Ilorin, Nigeria [27].…”

“…In this study, the odds ratio indicated that female respondents were 1.6 times more likely to be adherent, compared with males when multiple logistic regression of adherence to HAART with relevant predictors was conducted. This finding in this study may be attributed to better health seeking behavior of females [28]. Other socio-demographic factors were not found to significantly influence the adherence status.…”

“…In addition, Bello et al reported that the proportion of females on HAART was twofold than that of males in Ilorin, Nigeria [27]. This disparity in access to HAART may be attributed to better health seeking behavior of females [28]. In many cultures, including Nigeria, men are allowed to have many sexual relationships thereby putting more women at risk of HIV infection.…”

Implementation of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis and isoniazid preventive therapy for people living with HIV

“…The value of co-trimoxazole in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection has been well established through clinical trials conducted in industrialized 5,6 and developing countries. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] CTXp is associated with a 25-46% reduction in mortality among individuals infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, even in areas with high bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. These improvements in survival have been accompanied by substantial reductions in severe disease events and in the number of hospital admissions linked to invasive bacterial disease, pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea.…”