No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the lives of HIV-infected patients in Thailand have improved significantly due to continuous advances in treatment. However, the rate of cancer related to HIV infection (especially cervical cancer) is likely to increase. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Papanicolaou testing in all HIV-infected women, few of these patients receive this kind of screening in Thailand. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of these patients with regard to cervical cancer screening. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV-infected women aged 18-65 years from April to November 2019 via a self-administered cervical cancer screening questionnaire, which consisted of four parts: demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results: Three hundred HIV-infected women were recruited. Most of the participants had good attitudes toward screening and practiced adequate screening (75.3% and 71.3%, respectively). However, only 62 participants (20.7%) demonstrated adequate knowledge. The crucial factors that were associated with adequate screening practice were age 40-49 years-old (AOR =3.26, 95%CI=1.02-10.37), CD4 cell count (AOR = 3.41, 95%CI = 1.29-8.99), having been advised about cervical cancer screening (AOR= 6.23, 95%CI 1.84-21.07), and attitude toward screening (AOR= 5.7, 95%CI = 2.23-14.55). The major reasons for not undergoing screening were embarrassment (41.86%), lack of symptoms (41.86%), fear of the results (36.04%), and fear of pain (36.04%). Conclusion: The reasons for inadequate testing were disregard and misconceptions about the procedure. To prevent invasive cervical lesions in HIV-infected women, health care providers should inform these patients about the importance of regular cervical cancer screening.

Objective To compare combined vaginal administration of nystatin, diiodohydroxyquin, and benzalkonium chloride versus oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted among women diagnosed with BV using the Amsel criteria (n=90) at a university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand, between June 27, 2017, and April 30, 2018. The oral metronidazole group (n=44) received 400 mg of metronidazole, administered three times per day. The combined vaginal tablet group (n=46) received a vaginal suppository once daily, which comprised nystatin (100 000 U), diiodohydroxyquin (100 mg), and benzalkonium chloride (7 mg). Treatment was administered for 7 days in both groups. Follow‐up visits at 14 and 42 days assessed treatment outcomes and adverse effects. Results Remission of BV occurred among 41 (93%) women in the oral metronidazole group and 39 (85%) women in the combined vaginal tablet group. The adjusted relative risk was 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.80–1.06). The rate of nausea and/or vomiting was significantly higher in the oral metronidazole group than that in the combined vaginal tablet group. Conclusion Treatment efficacy of the combined vaginal tablet versus oral metronidazole was equivalent. Clinical trial registration: TCTR20170627001 (http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th).