Global health - AIDS History and Progression

Question 1

First case?

Answer 1

1959 in UK

1980 in LA

Question 2

What is important to remember from new HIV/AIDS diagnoses graphs?

Answer 2

Rate of new HIV diagnoses line is not representative of the UK population necessarily as not all population undergone HIV test; figures only reflect those that were tested

Question 3

How were case-controlled studies used to detect causal relationships of HIV/AIDS symptoms?

Answer 3

Interview infected men for exposures that could have triggered symptoms
No association with drugs

Results showed cases had 2x as many sexual partners and partners also had multiple sexual partners
Main common factor that disease seen amongst young gay men, and related to sexual contact with each other called CASE CLUSTERING which suggested infectious agents

Question 4

Define case controlled study

Answer 4

It sets known outcome and compared individuals with or without this outcome and determines what connects them by looking back at which subjects had exposure comparing frequency of exposure in case group to control group
Determines if an exposure is associated with the outcome.
Retrospective

Question 5

What makes a case controlled study case specific?

Answer 5

cases (group with outcome) and controls (group free of outcome) are identified

Question 6

Advantages of case controlled study?

Answer 6

cheap
quick
good to investigate outbreak of infectious disease

Question 7

What does the incidence and prevalence HIV curve for the USA show?

Answer 7

Incidence is the same
We are not able to prevent prevalence
Those living with HIV is increasing

Question 8

Since the beginning of the epidemic how many people have been infected with HIV?

Answer 8

60 million

Question 9

How can viral load and viral transmission to baby be reduced in HIV infected mothers?

Answer 9

treatment prior to giving birth

Question 10

Explain relationship between prevalence and mortality?

Answer 10

For diseases where treatment confers survival benefit, (ART) mortality falls as people start ART, people survive, and prevalence increases

Question 11

Explain how prevalence can increase as incidence reduces?

Answer 11

ART improves survival of HIV infected people so prevalence increases.
It reduces risk for viral transmission by reducing levels of virus in blood/secretions of HIV infected individuals to 0 so they are less able to infect others - incidence reduces

Question 12

HIV treatment plan?

Answer 12

• recognise HIV treatment can prevent new infections
• develop better combination antiretroviral meds
• cheaper diagnostic tools
• expand availability of HIV testing
• encourage support in community to improve HIV responses