Articles

Association of Economic Status and Type of Occupation with Changes in Risky Behaviors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City, Indonesia

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Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major global public health problem. Changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) play a crucial role in preventing further transmission. Socioeconomic factors, particularly economic status and type of occupation, may influence behavioral changes by affecting access to health information and services.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between economic status and type of occupation with changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City, Indonesia.

Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among adult PLWHA in Kupang City from August to October 2024. A total of 136 respondents were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing economic status, type of occupation, risky behaviors, and changes in risky behaviors. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation test, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Most respondents showed changes in risky behaviors after being diagnosed with HIV. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between economic status and changes in risky behaviors among PLWHA. In addition, type of occupation was also significantly associated with changes in risky behaviors.

Conclusion: Economic status and type of occupation are significantly associated with changes in risky behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang City. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating socioeconomic considerations into HIV prevention and behavioral intervention programs.

Life Expectancy and Life Years Lost After HIV or AIDS Diagnosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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The AIDS pandemic on average took a life every minute in 2021 despite effective HIV treatment and tools to prevent, detect, and treat opportunistic infections. The objective of this study was to estimate the average life expectancy and life years lost (LYL) in people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in Puerto Rico from 2000-2020. The epidemiological design was a retrospective cohort study of 24,143 people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and received services under the Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA) of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The population with a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS was described using socioeconomic characteristics with frequencies and proportions by category. We estimated the LYL by matching the expected residual lifetime for someone diagnosed with the disease with the life expectancy of the general population at that specific age as the null model. Average years of life lost (LYL) is a measure that reflects expected earlier death as a result of a condition. The number of LYL is dependent on the year of onset of the condition. In general, the earlier the onset of HIV or AIDS results in a larger impact of LYL. For individuals diagnosed at the age of 30 with AIDS the LYL is approximately 35.5 years, whereas for an individual where the onset is at age 70 years, being diagnosed with HIV or AIDS results in approximately 2.7 years lost. In our study, we found a greater number of LYL in patients diagnosed with AIDS in this population compared to those diagnosed with HIV. This study confirms the dramatic impact of HIV and AIDS on the lifespan of individuals and how the age of onset of the conditions impacts LYL.

Effects of 8-Week Circuit Exercise Training on the Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Health Status of People Living with HIV at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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Introduction: Exercise is regarded as an important adjuvant therapy for reducing the negative effects of Antiretroviral Therapy and improving the health status of people living with HIV (PLWH), but there is limited evidence on the effects of circuit exercise training on PLWH.
Objective: This study determined the effects of circuit exercise on the cardiorespiratory fitness and health status of PLWH.
Methods: This pretest-posttest randomized control study recruited 120 PLWH from the HIV clinic at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. Participants were consecutively invited at the clinic to join the study. Fish bowl method was used to randomize the participants to either intervention group or control group. Moderate intensity (50 – 75% MHR) circuit exercise training was administered to the participants 3 times a week, between 30-60 minutes per session, for 8 weeks. Cardiorespiratory fitness and health status were measured at baseline and at 8-week. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, percentages, and bar chart was used to summarize data. Paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were used to determine the mean difference within and between the groups respectively. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. Results: There was statistically significant difference in mean score of cardiorespiratory fitness and health status within the intervention group, and between the groups after 8-week circuit exercise training. Bar chart showed improvement in all the domains of health status.
Conclusion: An 8-week circuit exercise training improved cardiorespiratory fitness, and health status of PLWH.