Whether HIV infection alters central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is unclear. This retrospective cohort compared CLNM between 35 patients with HIV and 88 patients without HIV who underwent thyroidectomy with central dissection at a tertiary infectious-disease hospital. CLNM rates were similar (40.0
To evaluate the implications of long-acting injectable (LAI) cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (CAB + RPV) for HIV treatment management in routine clinical care in Japan, focusing on injection adherence, transient and low-level viremia, and longitudinal changes in lymphocyte counts and renal biomarkers. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of people with HIV (PWH) who received CAB + RPV at a tertiary HIV center in Japan between July 2022 and August 2026. Longitudinal changes in injection adherence, low-level viremia, lymphocyte counts, and renal biomarkers were evaluated. Among 108 PWH, the median follow-up was 45 months (IQR, 30–47). During follow-up, 12 participants (11.1
Routine referral or offer of HIV counselling and testing among clients receiving sexually transmitted infection (STI) services is an important component of STI–HIV service integration. However, national facility-level evidence on routine referral or offer of HIV counselling and testing among STI clients in Ethiopia is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of facility-reported routine referral or offer of HIV counselling and testing among STI clients and examined associated facility characteristics. A secondary analysis was conducted using the 2021–2022 Ethiopia Service Provision Assessment (SPA), a national health facility survey. The analysis included 1,407 facilities providing STI services; 881 facilities with complete information were included in the multivariable analysis. Facility characteristics included location, facility type, managing authority, STI record availability, consultation privacy, STI counselling practices, and number of STI service providers. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95
The introduction of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits has reshaped HIV prevention, ensuring confidentiality and accessibility particularly among underserved populations. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years often face barriers to HIV testing services such as stigma, discrimination, and limited access to youth-friendly services. HIVST serves as a cornerstone to overcome these barriers. This study assessed spatial variation and predictors of HIV self-testing use among AGYW in Tanzania. This study utilized secondary data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, employing analytical cross-sectional survey. This study included 5,852 AGYW selected through two-stage sampling strategy. Spatial autocorrelation and Moran’s I were used to analyze the distribution of this outcome, while mixed-effect multi-level binary logistic regression assessed the factors associated with HIVST uptake. The findings were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95
South Africa has faced a dual burden of both HIV and hypertension. Improved survival and increased life expectancy among people living with HIV (PLWH) have made the prevention and management of hypertension an integral part of HIV care. However, evidence on hypertension awareness and differences in dietary and lifestyle behaviours by hypertension status among PLWH remains limited. This study described dietary and lifestyle behaviours and health advice received by hypertension status among South African adults living with HIV. Cross-sectional data were collected from participants receiving HIV care at primary health facilities in the Western Cape Province. Hypertension status was classified as ‘no-hypertension’ (no history and blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mmHg), ‘newly-diagnosed hypertension’ (no history but systolic and/or diastolic BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg), and ‘known-hypertension’ (self-reported previous diagnosis). Lifestyle behaviour and dietary habits were assessed using the WHO STEPwise approach questionnaire. Adjusted logistic regression explored associations between lifestyle/dietary habits and hypertension status. Among 742 adults (mean age 38 years, 79.2
