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  1. Article ; Online: Exposure to comprehensive sexuality education in schools in South Africa: the implications on the uptake of HIV testing services among HIV positive adolescent girls.

    George, Gavin / Beckett, Sean / Cawood, Cherie / Kharsany, Ayesha B M

    AIDS care

    2024  , Page(s) 1–6

    Abstract: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is seen as a key instrument through which to affect behaviour and improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes amongst adolescents. However, few studies have to date evaluated key SRH outcomes following ... ...

    Abstract Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is seen as a key instrument through which to affect behaviour and improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes amongst adolescents. However, few studies have to date evaluated key SRH outcomes following exposure to CSE within a school setting. This study estimates the association between CSE and HIV testing and HIV testing self-efficacy amongst HIV positive adolescent girls. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey administered in four high HIV prevalence districts . Independent variables included exposure to CSE, with outcome variables measuring uptake of HIV testing in the 12 months preceding the survey, and HIV testing self-efficacy. The sample comprised 505 HIV positive adolescent girls aged 12-19. . Attending CSE was associated with both; being more confident to get an HIV test (AOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.47-4.06,
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-01-31
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1012651-x
    ISSN 1360-0451 ; 0954-0121
    ISSN (online) 1360-0451
    ISSN 0954-0121
    DOI 10.1080/09540121.2024.2308024
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: The Performance of Diagnostic Tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the South African Population: A Scoping Review.

    Samsunder, Natasha / Devnarain, Nikita / Sivro, Aida / Kharsany, Ayesha B M

    Tropical medicine and infectious disease

    2023  Volume 8, Issue 12

    Abstract: To determine the performance and reliability of diagnostic tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection in South Africa, we conducted a scoping review to identify published studies undertaken in the English language from March 2020 to August 2022 ...

    Abstract To determine the performance and reliability of diagnostic tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection in South Africa, we conducted a scoping review to identify published studies undertaken in the English language from March 2020 to August 2022 that evaluated the performance of antigen- and antibody-based diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. We identified 17 relevant peer-reviewed articles; six reported on SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen detection whilst 11 reported on antibody detection. Of the SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen-based tests, sensitivity ranged from 40% to 100%, whilst for the antibody-based tests, sensitivity ranged from 13% to 100%. All tests evaluated were highly dependent on the stage of infection and the timing of sample collection. This scoping review demonstrated that no single SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen- or antibody-based assay was sufficiently sensitive and specific simultaneously. The sensitivity of the tests was highly dependent on the timing of sample collection with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen detection, the earlier the collection of samples, the greater the sensitivity, while antibody detection tests showed better sensitivity using samples from later stages of infection.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-01
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ISSN 2414-6366
    ISSN (online) 2414-6366
    DOI 10.3390/tropicalmed8120514
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: The Performance of Diagnostic Tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the South African Population

    Natasha Samsunder / Nikita Devnarain / Aida Sivro / Ayesha B. M. Kharsany

    Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Vol 8, Iss 12, p

    A Scoping Review

    2023  Volume 514

    Abstract: To determine the performance and reliability of diagnostic tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection in South Africa, we conducted a scoping review to identify published studies undertaken in the English language from March 2020 to August 2022 ...

    Abstract To determine the performance and reliability of diagnostic tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection in South Africa, we conducted a scoping review to identify published studies undertaken in the English language from March 2020 to August 2022 that evaluated the performance of antigen- and antibody-based diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. We identified 17 relevant peer-reviewed articles; six reported on SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen detection whilst 11 reported on antibody detection. Of the SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen-based tests, sensitivity ranged from 40% to 100%, whilst for the antibody-based tests, sensitivity ranged from 13% to 100%. All tests evaluated were highly dependent on the stage of infection and the timing of sample collection. This scoping review demonstrated that no single SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen- or antibody-based assay was sufficiently sensitive and specific simultaneously. The sensitivity of the tests was highly dependent on the timing of sample collection with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 gene and/or antigen detection, the earlier the collection of samples, the greater the sensitivity, while antibody detection tests showed better sensitivity using samples from later stages of infection.
    Keywords SARS-CoV-2 ; SARS-CoV-2 gene/s ; diagnostic testing ; RT-PCR ; antigen ; antibody ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 570
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Spatiotemporal Variation and Predictors of Unsuppressed Viral Load among HIV-Positive Men and Women in Rural and Peri-Urban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

    Soogun, Adenike O / Kharsany, Ayesha B M / Zewotir, Temesgen / North, Delia / Ogunsakin, Ebenezer / Rakgoale, Perry

    Tropical medicine and infectious disease

    2022  Volume 7, Issue 9

    Abstract: Unsuppressed HIV viral load is an important marker of sustained HIV transmission. We investigated the prevalence, predictors, and high-risk areas of unsuppressed HIV viral load among HIV-positive men and women. Unsuppressed HIV viral load was defined as ... ...

    Abstract Unsuppressed HIV viral load is an important marker of sustained HIV transmission. We investigated the prevalence, predictors, and high-risk areas of unsuppressed HIV viral load among HIV-positive men and women. Unsuppressed HIV viral load was defined as viral load of ≥400 copies/mL. Data from the HIV Incidence District Surveillance System (HIPSS), a longitudinal study undertaken between June 2014 to June 2016 among men and women aged 15−49 years in rural and peri-urban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were analysed. A Bayesian geoadditive regression model which includes a spatial effect for a small enumeration area was applied using an integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) function while accounting for unobserved factors, non-linear effects of selected continuous variables, and spatial autocorrelation. The prevalence of unsuppressed HIV viral load was 46.1% [95% CI: 44.3−47.8]. Predictors of unsuppressed HIV viral load were incomplete high school education, being away from home for more than a month, alcohol consumption, no prior knowledge of HIV status, not ever tested for HIV, not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), on tuberculosis (TB) medication, having two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, and having a CD4 cell count of <350 cells/μL. A positive non-linear effect of age, household size, and the number of lifetime HIV tests was identified. The higher-risk pattern of unsuppressed HIV viral load occurred in the northwest and northeast of the study area. Identifying predictors of unsuppressed viral load in a localized geographic area and information from spatial risk maps are important for targeted prevention and treatment programs to reduce the transmission of HIV.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-09-06
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article
    ISSN 2414-6366
    ISSN (online) 2414-6366
    DOI 10.3390/tropicalmed7090232
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  5. Article ; Online: Associations of Social Support with Sexual Practices, Health Behaviours, and Health Outcomes Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

    Durevall, Dick / Cowden, Richard G / Beckett, Sean / Kharsany, Ayesha B M / Lewis, Lara / George, Gavin / Cawood, Cherie / Khanyile, David / Govender, Kaymarlin

    International journal of behavioral medicine

    2023  

    Abstract: Background: Several studies have reported on the benefits of social support for health behaviour, including risky sex. Social support may thus be an important resource for promoting individual health and well-being, particularly in regions where HIV ... ...

    Abstract Background: Several studies have reported on the benefits of social support for health behaviour, including risky sex. Social support may thus be an important resource for promoting individual health and well-being, particularly in regions where HIV rates are high and healthcare resources are scarce. However, prior research on the implications of social support for the health behaviour of young women has yielded mixed and inconclusive findings. Using prospective data from young women in South Africa, this study examines the associations of social support with subsequent sexual practices, health behaviour, and health outcomes.
    Method: We used two rounds of longitudinal data from a sample of n = 1446 HIV-negative emerging adult women, aged 18 to 29 years, who participated in a population-based HIV study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Applying the analytic template for outcome-wide longitudinal designs, we estimated the associations between combinations of social support (i.e. tangible, educational, emotional) and ten HIV risk-related outcomes.
    Results: Combinations of tangible, educational, and emotional support, as well as tangible support by itself, were associated with lower risk for several outcomes, whereas educational and emotional support, by themselves or together, showed little evidence of association with the outcomes.
    Conclusion: This study highlights the protective role of tangible support in an environment of widespread poverty, and the additional effect of combining tangible support with non-tangible support. The findings strengthen recent evidence on the benefits of combining support in the form of cash and food with psychosocial care in mitigating risk behaviours associated with HIV and negative health outcomes among young women.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-07-21
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 1187972-5
    ISSN 1532-7558 ; 1070-5503
    ISSN (online) 1532-7558
    ISSN 1070-5503
    DOI 10.1007/s12529-023-10199-6
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  6. Article ; Online: Identifying Potential Factors Associated with High HIV viral load in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Random Forest Analysis.

    Soogun, Adenike O / Kharsany, Ayesha B M / Zewotir, Temesgen / North, Delia / Ogunsakin, Ropo Ebenezer

    BMC medical research methodology

    2022  Volume 22, Issue 1, Page(s) 174

    Abstract: ... biological factors associated with HHVL, defined as ≥400 copies per m/L.: Results: Out of 3956 in 2014 and 3868 ...

    Abstract Background: Sustainable Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virological suppression is crucial to achieving the Joint United Nations Programme of HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 treatment targets to reduce the risk of onward HIV transmission. Exploratory data analysis is an integral part of statistical analysis which aids variable selection from complex survey data for further confirmatory analysis.
    Methods: In this study, we divulge participants' epidemiological and biological factors with high HIV RNA viral load (HHVL) from an HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) sequential cross-sectional survey between 2014 and 2015 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and random forest analysis (RFA), we analyzed the linkage between socio-demographic, behavioral, psycho-social, and biological factors associated with HHVL, defined as ≥400 copies per m/L.
    Results: Out of 3956 in 2014 and 3868 in 2015, 50.1% and 41% of participants, respectively, had HHVL. MCA and RFA revealed that knowledge of HIV status, ART use, ARV dosage, current CD4 cell count, perceived risk of contracting HIV, number of lifetime HIV tests, number of lifetime sex partners, and ever diagnosed with TB were consistent potential factors identified to be associated with high HIV viral load in the 2014 and 2015 surveys. Based on MCA findings, diverse categories of variables identified with HHVL were, did not know HIV status, not on ART, on multiple dosages of ARV, with less likely perceived risk of contracting HIV and having two or more lifetime sexual partners.
    Conclusion: The high proportion of individuals with HHVL suggests that the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal of HIV viral suppression is less likely to be achieved. Based on performance and visualization evaluation, MCA was selected as the best and essential exploration tool for identifying and understanding categorical variables' significant associations and interactions to enhance individual epidemiological understanding of high HIV viral load. When faced with complex survey data and challenges of variables selection in research, exploratory data analysis with robust graphical visualization and reliability that can reveal divers' structures should be considered.
    MeSH term(s) Biological Factors ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Family Characteristics ; HIV Infections/diagnosis ; HIV Infections/drug therapy ; HIV Infections/epidemiology ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Reproducibility of Results ; South Africa/epidemiology ; Viral Load
    Chemical Substances Biological Factors
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-17
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
    ZDB-ID 2041362-2
    ISSN 1471-2288 ; 1471-2288
    ISSN (online) 1471-2288
    ISSN 1471-2288
    DOI 10.1186/s12874-022-01625-6
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  7. Article ; Online: Medical male circumcision and HIV prevention among men in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

    Lateef Amusa / Temesgen Zewotir / Delia North / Ayesha B.M. Kharsany / Lara Lewis

    Scientific African, Vol 11, Iss , Pp e00683- (2021)

    A propensity score analysis

    2021  

    Abstract: Introduction: Epidemiological theory and many empirical studies support the hypothesis that there is a protective effect of medical male circumcision (MMC) against HIV infection. We aim to test this claim with evidence from a high endemic community in ... ...

    Abstract Introduction: Epidemiological theory and many empirical studies support the hypothesis that there is a protective effect of medical male circumcision (MMC) against HIV infection. We aim to test this claim with evidence from a high endemic community in South Africa. Methodology: We analysed a cross-sectional dataset, including HIV test outcome and MMC status of males aged 15–49, who participated in the HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System study between June 2014 and June 2015. We applied two propensity score methods, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and full matching, to approximate a randomised trial investigating the hypothesis that MMC protects against HIV infection. We benchmarked our results using the conventional regression adjustment. Models were adjusted for identified confounders. Results: The adjusted odds ratios (OR) provided evidence of a protective effect of MMC against HIV acquisition: IPTW (OR = 0.623, 95% CI: 0.467 – 0.830); Full matching (OR = 0.607, 95% CI: 0.440 – 0.837); Regression (OR = 0.579, 95% CI: 0.426 – 0.789). Conclusion: There is a need to create more programmes that emphasise MMC as an important HIV preventive intervention.
    Keywords HIV ; Medical male circumcision ; Propensity score ; Kwazulu-Natal ; South Africa ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Identifying Potential Factors Associated with High HIV viral load in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Random Forest Analysis

    Adenike O. Soogun / Ayesha B. M. Kharsany / Temesgen Zewotir / Delia North / Ropo Ebenezer Ogunsakin

    BMC Medical Research Methodology, Vol 22, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2022  Volume 16

    Abstract: ... biological factors associated with HHVL, defined as ≥400 copies per m/L. Results Out of 3956 in 2014 and 3868 in 2015 ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Sustainable Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virological suppression is crucial to achieving the Joint United Nations Programme of HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95–95-95 treatment targets to reduce the risk of onward HIV transmission. Exploratory data analysis is an integral part of statistical analysis which aids variable selection from complex survey data for further confirmatory analysis. Methods In this study, we divulge participants’ epidemiological and biological factors with high HIV RNA viral load (HHVL) from an HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) sequential cross-sectional survey between 2014 and 2015 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and random forest analysis (RFA), we analyzed the linkage between socio-demographic, behavioral, psycho-social, and biological factors associated with HHVL, defined as ≥400 copies per m/L. Results Out of 3956 in 2014 and 3868 in 2015, 50.1% and 41% of participants, respectively, had HHVL. MCA and RFA revealed that knowledge of HIV status, ART use, ARV dosage, current CD4 cell count, perceived risk of contracting HIV, number of lifetime HIV tests, number of lifetime sex partners, and ever diagnosed with TB were consistent potential factors identified to be associated with high HIV viral load in the 2014 and 2015 surveys. Based on MCA findings, diverse categories of variables identified with HHVL were, did not know HIV status, not on ART, on multiple dosages of ARV, with less likely perceived risk of contracting HIV and having two or more lifetime sexual partners. Conclusion The high proportion of individuals with HHVL suggests that the UNAIDS 95–95-95 goal of HIV viral suppression is less likely to be achieved. Based on performance and visualization evaluation, MCA was selected as the best and essential exploration tool for identifying and understanding categorical variables’ significant associations and interactions to enhance individual epidemiological understanding of high HIV viral load. When faced with ...
    Keywords HIV RNA viral load ; Multivariate analysis ; Dimensionality reduction ; Burt matrix ; Inertia ; Random Forest ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of School Based Interventions on Sexual Risk Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Shangase, Nosipho / Kharsany, Ayesha B M / Ntombela, Nonzwakazi P / Pettifor, Audrey / McKinnon, Lyle R

    AIDS and behavior

    2021  Volume 25, Issue 11, Page(s) 3669–3686

    Abstract: Young adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at high risk of involvement in sexual risk behaviors; and curable sexually transmitted infections (STI), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and unintended pregnancies ... ...

    Abstract Young adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at high risk of involvement in sexual risk behaviors; and curable sexually transmitted infections (STI), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and unintended pregnancies remain persistently high in this population. Evidence based strategies are urgently needed to improve these outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) to determine whether school-based interventions promote safe sex behaviors, reduce sexual risk behaviors and risk of curable STIs, HSV-2, HIV and unintended pregnancies among young adolescents aged 9-19 years in SSA. Electronic databases were searched for published studies and manual searches were conducted through reviewing of references of cited literature in the English language up to December 2019. Two independent reviewers screened and abstracted the data. We identified 428 articles and data from nine RCTs (N = 14,426 secondary school students) that fulfilled the selection criteria were analysed. Two studies measured pregnancy as an outcome and showed significant declines in unintended pregnancies. Of the five studies that measured HIV/AIDS related-knowledge, condom-use outcomes (normative beliefs, knowledge, and self-efficacy) and attitudes to HIV testing, four showed significant improvements. Of the six studies that measured sexual debut, four reported moderate but non-significant declines and in two studies sexual debut information was either incomplete or unreliable. One study measured curable STIs and found no significant declines; whilst the second study that measured HSV-2 and HIV, no significant declines were observed. This review highlights the need to undertake well-designed research studies to provide evidence on the impact of interventions on curable STIs, HSV-2 and HIV, critical to improving the health of young adolescents.
    MeSH term(s) Adolescent ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology ; HIV Infections/prevention & control ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Risk-Taking ; Schools ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-27
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Review ; Systematic Review
    ZDB-ID 1339885-4
    ISSN 1573-3254 ; 1090-7165
    ISSN (online) 1573-3254
    ISSN 1090-7165
    DOI 10.1007/s10461-021-03242-8
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  10. Article ; Online: Host genetic variation at a locus near CHD1L impacts HIV sequence diversity in a South African population.

    Schulz, Vanessa E / Tuff, Jeffrey F / Tough, Riley H / Lewis, Lara / Chimukangara, Benjamin / Garrett, Nigel / Abdool Karim, Quarraisha / Abdool Karim, Salim S / McKinnon, Lyle R / Kharsany, Ayesha B M / McLaren, Paul J

    Journal of virology

    2023  Volume 97, Issue 10, Page(s) e0095423

    Abstract: Importance: It has been previously shown that genetic variants ... ...

    Abstract Importance: It has been previously shown that genetic variants near
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; DNA Helicases/genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; HIV Infections/genetics ; HIV Infections/virology ; HIV-1/genetics ; South Africa ; Viral Load/genetics ; Virus Replication ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase/metabolism ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/metabolism ; Genetic Loci
    Chemical Substances CHD1L protein, human (EC 3.6.4.12) ; DNA Helicases (EC 3.6.4.-) ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; HIV Reverse Transcriptase (EC 2.7.7.49) ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-09-25
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. ; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
    ZDB-ID 80174-4
    ISSN 1098-5514 ; 0022-538X
    ISSN (online) 1098-5514
    ISSN 0022-538X
    DOI 10.1128/jvi.00954-23
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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