Dominic Abaver - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Dominic Abaver
African Health Sciences, Sep 28, 2011
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in pat... more Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in HIV-infected individuals in two health facilities in Abuja-Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two sites: the GEDE AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Institute (GAIDRI), and the Human Virology Institute-General Hospital Asokoro-Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 119 subjects were recruited (85 HIV infected and 34 HIV negative). Stool specimens collected were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for consistency and the presence of enteric parasites. Results: The overall prevalence rate of enteroparasites obtained in this study was 22.7% (27/119). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infected patients was 24.7 %; while in HIV negative persons, it was 17.6%. However, the high rate obtained for HIV infected patients was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Although the prevalence rate of enteric parasites in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than in HIV negative individuals, this difference is not statistically significant. Even though there was no statistical difference in the two groups, parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients often result in debilitating illness.
Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals, Jan 3, 2017
African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2014
This cross-sectional, unlinked anonymous HIV survey among WSU students was a follow-up to a natio... more This cross-sectional, unlinked anonymous HIV survey among WSU students was a follow-up to a national study conducted in 2009 by the Higher Education HIV and AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) amongst Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), in which 13.3% students of Walter Sisulu University were HIV positive. This study was conducted to determine whether there has been a change in the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of WSU students after some interventions were introduced. The study involved 456 students (2.2% of the student population), 131 males and 322 females aged 17-39 years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, after which a blood sample was drawn from each participant who agreed to the HIV test by qualified WSU clinic nurses. The male participants reported having debuted into sexual activeness much earlier in their lives. Condom use was highest among the participants below the age of 25 years. Regarding multiple and concurrent partnerships (MCP), 33.6% of ma...
African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2014
The practice of homosexuality is a major concern to health service providers, given that this con... more The practice of homosexuality is a major concern to health service providers, given that this constitutes a risk-factor to HIV/AIDS, STDs, and STIs transmission. This study aims to explore knowledge, perception and behaviour of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) students regarding HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two campuses of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Eastern Cape: Mthatha and Potsdam. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire, administered among students and staff in the two campuses. A total of 126 participants completed the questionnaire (56 male and 70 female) aged 18->40 years. Most (64.3%) students were aware of homosexuals in the community, while 74.6% believe having sex with same gender is abnormal and unnatural. Sexual desire between and attraction to opposite sex scored high (69.8% and 67.5% respectively). About 58.7% and 55.6% believed talks in classes and programme...
Research Square (Research Square), Jun 10, 2020
Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; howeve... more Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; however, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors depression among this population. This study investigate the prevalence and factors contributing to depression among HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in O.R. Tambo Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study involve 334 adults receiving ART in the two Community Health Centers in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to collect data, in addition to a semi-structured questionnaire on coping mechanism and challenges in seeking help with depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the factors associated with depression among the HIV patients. Results The prevalence of depression among the HIV patients receiving ART was 44%, and the majority of the patient's depression fall within the borderline and moderate threshold. The prevalence of depression was signi cantly highest among females (71.0%; p < 0.0003) and unemployed (73.0%; p < 0.0014) HIV patients. Participants not bene ting from any form of social grant exhibited higher prevalence of depression (79%). Race (p=0.590), age (p=0.338) and married participants (p=0.511) show no statistical signi cant association between HIV and depression. Unadjusted logistic regression model show being female (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.23-3.23; p < 0.003) and unemployed (OR =1.73, 95% CI: 1.08-2.77; p < 0.014) were signi cantly associated with a likelihood of depression. Majority of the participants who could express their feelings of HIV disease and challenges in accessing ART felt more depressed (85%) compared to those who could not express their feelings. Conclusion The rate of depression among HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART is high. Early detection of depression and the challenges associated with accessing treatment and treating would help in improving the compliance to treatment as well as quality of life.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dec 1, 2020
South African Medical Journal, Apr 29, 2020
Healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, which affect patients in a... more Healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, which affect patients in a hospital or healthcare facility and were not present or incubating at the time of admission, [1] are among the main patient safety challenges in healthcare facilities. [2] They can be defined as an infection that develops 48 hours after hospital admission or within 48 hours after discharge. [3] In spite of improvements in healthcare, nosocomial infections continue and can be acquired anywhere healthcare is delivered, including inpatient acute-care hospitals, outpatient settings such as ambulatory surgical centres, end-stage renal disease facilities, and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centres. The development of nosocomial infections is dependent on two key pathophysiological factors: decreased host defences and colonisation by pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms. [4] A survey published by the New England Journal of Medicine (cited in Becker's Clinical Leadership and Infection Control [5]) provides important insight for healthcare providers in their efforts to combat infections, reporting prevalence of the five commonest recorded nosocomial infections as follows: pneumonia 21.8% of all healthcare-associated infections; surgical site infection (SSI) 21.8%; gastrointestinal infection 17.1%; urinary tract infection 12.9%; and primary bloodstream infection 9.9%. It is estimated that ~1 in 7 patients entering South African (SA) hospitals is at high risk of acquiring a nosocomial infection. [6] Neurosurgical patients are particularly vulnerable because of the serious nature of their illnesses, the frequency of associated trauma, and the presence of invasive devices. Neurosurgeons treat conditions such as aneurysms, stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and brain tumours, all of which predispose patients to fungal, viral and bacterial infections. A study conducted in Pretoria, SA, reported that the incidence of ventriculitis reached 28.3% among paediatric neurosurgical patients. [7] Objectives Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) in Mthatha, like many hospitals in SA, [7] faces high rates of nosocomial infections. The present study sought to determine the aetiology and incidence of these infections following neurosurgical procedures, as well as the associated risk factors. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients were enrolled from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014. All inpatients who had had a neurosurgical procedure at NMAH during the study period were included in the study if their medical and laboratory records were accurate, legible and complete. Medical records were accessed in the Department of Neurosurgery at NMAH where patients were admitted, while laboratory records were obtained from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the National Health This open-access article is distributed under Creative Commons licence CC-BY-NC 4.0.
Microbiology research, Aug 19, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Microbiology Research
Introduction: Intestinal parasites in HIV and AIDS patients increase the risk of gastroenteritis,... more Introduction: Intestinal parasites in HIV and AIDS patients increase the risk of gastroenteritis, adding to the complexity of the virus. According to the literature, their interactions are one of the factors leading to HIV replication and progression of AIDS in Africa. Chronic immunosuppression caused by HIV infection makes people vulnerable to parasitic infections, and this is associated with a CD4+ cell count of less than 100. The study describes the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients attending HIV/AIDS clinics in certain areas of the Eastern Cape. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 patients from HIV/AIDS clinics in the Eastern Cape. Tambo Municipality and Amatole Municipality were the municipalities covered. These included the Ngangalizwe Community Clinic, Tsolo Gateway Clinic, Idutywa Health Centre, and Nqamakwe Health Centre. The stools of 600 participants were examined using direct wet saline/iodine embedding, formal ether concentration techni...
African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences (AJPHES), 2021
Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; howeve... more Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; however, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors depression among this population. This study investigate the prevalence and factors contributing to depression among HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in O.R. Tambo Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 334 adults receiving ART in the two Community Health Centers in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to collect data, in addition to a semi-structured questionnaire on coping mechanism and challenges in seeking help with depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the factors associated with depression among the HIV-positive adults. Results The prevalence of depression among the HIV-positive adults receiving ART was 44%, and the majority of the patient’s depression ...
SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 2018
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) South Africans continue to face cons... more The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) South Africans continue to face considerable challenges, including societal stigma, homophobic violence (particularly corrective rape), and high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (particularly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS) even when discrimination based on sexual orientation was outlawed by South African's post-apartheid constitution. This study was conducted to ascertain violence, abuse and discrimination against the LGBTI sector as key factors that hinder the smooth implementation of HIV/AIDS programme among sexually minority (LGBTI) group in Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. The self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study involved 3048 purposively selected participants (1285 male and 1763 female) aged 17-38 years. About 70.5% of the participants witnessed physical attack as a form of violence against people in same-gender relationship; 47.7% disagreed that violent targeted at this sexually minority group is justified. The LGBTI face challenges which include verbal insults (937, 32.4%), bullying (532, 18.4%) and namecalling (1389, 48%). Discrimination against members of the LGBTI sector was witnessed in various forms: non-acceptance (981, 33.9%), disapproval of act of homosexuals (1308, 45.2) and denial of rights (327, 11.3). Violence, abuse and discrimination which constitute stigmatisation among the LGBTI sector are received with mix feeling. Some respondents justified the use of one or more of these key elements of stigmatisation against the LGBTI (6.6%, supports violence), others condemned these acts of stigmatisation (28.8%), against discrimination). Social stigma which resulted from violence, abuse and discrimination exist in this institution and is responsible for the unwillingness of disclosure of sexual orientation among the LGBTI members. An enabling environment should be created where the LGBTI members could come out freely to access programmes targeted at the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
African Health Sciences, Sep 28, 2011
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in pat... more Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in HIV-infected individuals in two health facilities in Abuja-Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two sites: the GEDE AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Institute (GAIDRI), and the Human Virology Institute-General Hospital Asokoro-Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 119 subjects were recruited (85 HIV infected and 34 HIV negative). Stool specimens collected were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for consistency and the presence of enteric parasites. Results: The overall prevalence rate of enteroparasites obtained in this study was 22.7% (27/119). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infected patients was 24.7 %; while in HIV negative persons, it was 17.6%. However, the high rate obtained for HIV infected patients was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Although the prevalence rate of enteric parasites in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than in HIV negative individuals, this difference is not statistically significant. Even though there was no statistical difference in the two groups, parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients often result in debilitating illness.
Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals, Jan 3, 2017
African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2014
This cross-sectional, unlinked anonymous HIV survey among WSU students was a follow-up to a natio... more This cross-sectional, unlinked anonymous HIV survey among WSU students was a follow-up to a national study conducted in 2009 by the Higher Education HIV and AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) amongst Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), in which 13.3% students of Walter Sisulu University were HIV positive. This study was conducted to determine whether there has been a change in the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of WSU students after some interventions were introduced. The study involved 456 students (2.2% of the student population), 131 males and 322 females aged 17-39 years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, after which a blood sample was drawn from each participant who agreed to the HIV test by qualified WSU clinic nurses. The male participants reported having debuted into sexual activeness much earlier in their lives. Condom use was highest among the participants below the age of 25 years. Regarding multiple and concurrent partnerships (MCP), 33.6% of ma...
African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 2014
The practice of homosexuality is a major concern to health service providers, given that this con... more The practice of homosexuality is a major concern to health service providers, given that this constitutes a risk-factor to HIV/AIDS, STDs, and STIs transmission. This study aims to explore knowledge, perception and behaviour of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) students regarding HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two campuses of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Eastern Cape: Mthatha and Potsdam. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire, administered among students and staff in the two campuses. A total of 126 participants completed the questionnaire (56 male and 70 female) aged 18->40 years. Most (64.3%) students were aware of homosexuals in the community, while 74.6% believe having sex with same gender is abnormal and unnatural. Sexual desire between and attraction to opposite sex scored high (69.8% and 67.5% respectively). About 58.7% and 55.6% believed talks in classes and programme...
Research Square (Research Square), Jun 10, 2020
Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; howeve... more Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; however, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors depression among this population. This study investigate the prevalence and factors contributing to depression among HIV patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in O.R. Tambo Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study involve 334 adults receiving ART in the two Community Health Centers in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to collect data, in addition to a semi-structured questionnaire on coping mechanism and challenges in seeking help with depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the factors associated with depression among the HIV patients. Results The prevalence of depression among the HIV patients receiving ART was 44%, and the majority of the patient's depression fall within the borderline and moderate threshold. The prevalence of depression was signi cantly highest among females (71.0%; p < 0.0003) and unemployed (73.0%; p < 0.0014) HIV patients. Participants not bene ting from any form of social grant exhibited higher prevalence of depression (79%). Race (p=0.590), age (p=0.338) and married participants (p=0.511) show no statistical signi cant association between HIV and depression. Unadjusted logistic regression model show being female (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.23-3.23; p < 0.003) and unemployed (OR =1.73, 95% CI: 1.08-2.77; p < 0.014) were signi cantly associated with a likelihood of depression. Majority of the participants who could express their feelings of HIV disease and challenges in accessing ART felt more depressed (85%) compared to those who could not express their feelings. Conclusion The rate of depression among HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART is high. Early detection of depression and the challenges associated with accessing treatment and treating would help in improving the compliance to treatment as well as quality of life.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dec 1, 2020
South African Medical Journal, Apr 29, 2020
Healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, which affect patients in a... more Healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, which affect patients in a hospital or healthcare facility and were not present or incubating at the time of admission, [1] are among the main patient safety challenges in healthcare facilities. [2] They can be defined as an infection that develops 48 hours after hospital admission or within 48 hours after discharge. [3] In spite of improvements in healthcare, nosocomial infections continue and can be acquired anywhere healthcare is delivered, including inpatient acute-care hospitals, outpatient settings such as ambulatory surgical centres, end-stage renal disease facilities, and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centres. The development of nosocomial infections is dependent on two key pathophysiological factors: decreased host defences and colonisation by pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms. [4] A survey published by the New England Journal of Medicine (cited in Becker's Clinical Leadership and Infection Control [5]) provides important insight for healthcare providers in their efforts to combat infections, reporting prevalence of the five commonest recorded nosocomial infections as follows: pneumonia 21.8% of all healthcare-associated infections; surgical site infection (SSI) 21.8%; gastrointestinal infection 17.1%; urinary tract infection 12.9%; and primary bloodstream infection 9.9%. It is estimated that ~1 in 7 patients entering South African (SA) hospitals is at high risk of acquiring a nosocomial infection. [6] Neurosurgical patients are particularly vulnerable because of the serious nature of their illnesses, the frequency of associated trauma, and the presence of invasive devices. Neurosurgeons treat conditions such as aneurysms, stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and brain tumours, all of which predispose patients to fungal, viral and bacterial infections. A study conducted in Pretoria, SA, reported that the incidence of ventriculitis reached 28.3% among paediatric neurosurgical patients. [7] Objectives Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) in Mthatha, like many hospitals in SA, [7] faces high rates of nosocomial infections. The present study sought to determine the aetiology and incidence of these infections following neurosurgical procedures, as well as the associated risk factors. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients were enrolled from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014. All inpatients who had had a neurosurgical procedure at NMAH during the study period were included in the study if their medical and laboratory records were accurate, legible and complete. Medical records were accessed in the Department of Neurosurgery at NMAH where patients were admitted, while laboratory records were obtained from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the National Health This open-access article is distributed under Creative Commons licence CC-BY-NC 4.0.
Microbiology research, Aug 19, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Microbiology Research
Introduction: Intestinal parasites in HIV and AIDS patients increase the risk of gastroenteritis,... more Introduction: Intestinal parasites in HIV and AIDS patients increase the risk of gastroenteritis, adding to the complexity of the virus. According to the literature, their interactions are one of the factors leading to HIV replication and progression of AIDS in Africa. Chronic immunosuppression caused by HIV infection makes people vulnerable to parasitic infections, and this is associated with a CD4+ cell count of less than 100. The study describes the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients attending HIV/AIDS clinics in certain areas of the Eastern Cape. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 patients from HIV/AIDS clinics in the Eastern Cape. Tambo Municipality and Amatole Municipality were the municipalities covered. These included the Ngangalizwe Community Clinic, Tsolo Gateway Clinic, Idutywa Health Centre, and Nqamakwe Health Centre. The stools of 600 participants were examined using direct wet saline/iodine embedding, formal ether concentration techni...
African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences (AJPHES), 2021
Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; howeve... more Background Living with HIV/AIDS is associated with negative emotional and bodily symptoms; however, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors depression among this population. This study investigate the prevalence and factors contributing to depression among HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in O.R. Tambo Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 334 adults receiving ART in the two Community Health Centers in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used to collect data, in addition to a semi-structured questionnaire on coping mechanism and challenges in seeking help with depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the factors associated with depression among the HIV-positive adults. Results The prevalence of depression among the HIV-positive adults receiving ART was 44%, and the majority of the patient’s depression ...
SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 2018
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) South Africans continue to face cons... more The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) South Africans continue to face considerable challenges, including societal stigma, homophobic violence (particularly corrective rape), and high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (particularly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS) even when discrimination based on sexual orientation was outlawed by South African's post-apartheid constitution. This study was conducted to ascertain violence, abuse and discrimination against the LGBTI sector as key factors that hinder the smooth implementation of HIV/AIDS programme among sexually minority (LGBTI) group in Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. The self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study involved 3048 purposively selected participants (1285 male and 1763 female) aged 17-38 years. About 70.5% of the participants witnessed physical attack as a form of violence against people in same-gender relationship; 47.7% disagreed that violent targeted at this sexually minority group is justified. The LGBTI face challenges which include verbal insults (937, 32.4%), bullying (532, 18.4%) and namecalling (1389, 48%). Discrimination against members of the LGBTI sector was witnessed in various forms: non-acceptance (981, 33.9%), disapproval of act of homosexuals (1308, 45.2) and denial of rights (327, 11.3). Violence, abuse and discrimination which constitute stigmatisation among the LGBTI sector are received with mix feeling. Some respondents justified the use of one or more of these key elements of stigmatisation against the LGBTI (6.6%, supports violence), others condemned these acts of stigmatisation (28.8%), against discrimination). Social stigma which resulted from violence, abuse and discrimination exist in this institution and is responsible for the unwillingness of disclosure of sexual orientation among the LGBTI members. An enabling environment should be created where the LGBTI members could come out freely to access programmes targeted at the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.