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Introduction: Despite the widespread availability of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, many women in sub-Saharan Africa do not participate in PMTCT. This pilot study aimed to utilize partner participation in an intervention to support PMTCT uptake. Methods: Couples (n = 239) were randomized to receive either a comprehensive couples-based PMTCT intervention or the standard of care. Results: Compared to the standard of care, participants receiving the intervention increased HIV- and PMTCT-related knowledge ( F 1,474 = 13.94, p = .004) and uptake of PMTCT, as defined by infant medication dosing (74% vs. 46%, χ 2 = 4.69, p = .03). Discussion: Results indicate that increasing male attendance at antenatal clinic visits may be “necessary but not sufficient” to increase PMTCT uptake. Increasing HIV knowledge of both partners and encouraging active male participation in the PMTCT process through psychoeducational interventions may be a strategy to increase the uptake of PMTCT in South Africa.

Abstract: Up to 50% of people with HIV (PWH) experience neurocognitive impairments (NCIs) that can interfere with everyday functioning and reduce quality of life. To address this problem, this study examined the immediate and long-term efficacy of computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CCRT) on cognitive function in PWH in Tehran, Iran. Thirty PWH with NCI engaged in 24 biweekly 90-min CCRT sessions. A control group of 30 PWH and NCI received treatment-as-usual, but no CCRT. The cognitive rehabilitation protocol focused on attention, visual memory, nonverbal learning, and planning. Pretest, posttest, and follow-up cognitive measurements showed that the designed CCRT protocol was effective in improving performance in selected cognitive domains along with the global neurocognitive performance scores of PWH. These findings suggest that this CCRT protocol be considered as part of a treatment plan to address cognitive impairment for PWH. Implications for clinical practice and research are provided., (Copyright © 2022 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.)

Abstract: While taking antiretroviral therapy, 30%-60% of people living with HIV (PLWH) experience neurocognitive impairment (NCI). To determine NCI prevalence among Iranian PLWH, by the computerized Vienna Test System, 63 adults living without HIV and 63 Iranian PLWH aged 18-50 years ( M = 35.3, SD = 7.9) were assessed for cognitive function. NCI was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve cutoff points based on the adults living without HIV. Associations between demographics, HIV serostatus markers, and mean T-scores were investigated. Performance differences were tested by including significant covariates in an analysis of covariance. NCI prevalence rates were 57.14% in PLWH and 19.05% in adults living without HIV. Global neurocognitive performance and all cognitive domains were significantly different between the groups, except for visual memory and selective attention. In Iran, NCI prevalence parallels that reported in PLWH worldwide. There should be a strategy to screen Iranian PLWH for NCI., (Copyright © 2022 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.)