New World Health Organization guidelines recommend the initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for asymptomatic patients with CD4+ T-cell counts of ≤ 500 cells/mm 3 . Substantial reduction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is addressed as a major public health outcome of this new approach. Middle East and North Africa (MENA), known as the area of controversies in terms of availability of comprehensive data, has shown concentrated epidemics among most of it's at risk population groups. Serious challenges impede the applicability of new guidelines in the MENA Region. Insufficient resources restrict ART coverage to less than 14%, while only one fourth of the countries had reportable data on patients' CD4 counts at the time of diagnosis. Clinical guidelines need to be significantly modified to reach practical utility, and surveillance systems have not yet been developed in many countries of MENA. Based on available evidence in several countries people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men are increasingly vulnerable to HIV and viral hepatitis, while their sexual partners -either female sex workers or women in monogamous relationships with high-risk men -are potential bridging populations that are not appropriately addressed by regional programs. Research to monitor the response to ART among the mentioned groups are seriously lacking, while drug resistant HIV strains and limited information on adherence patterns to treatment regimens require urgent recognition by health policymakers. Commitment to defined goals in the fight against HIV, development of innovative methods to improve registration and reporting systems, monitoring and evaluation of current programs followed by costeffective modifications are proposed as effective steps to be acknowledged by National AIDS Programs of the countries of MENA Region.
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Vocal-electronic systems help to improve quality of nursing documentation, suggesting this aspect may be essential to implementing a successful system in local settings.
The low TB prevalence within prisoners besides considering likely common symptoms in ACF may result in many false positive cases during screening (6.5% vs. 0.13%). But, ACF is more fast, easy and affordable method to find TB suspected prisoners. Also, during this active method, prisoners will be trained about TB symptoms so, it has more permanent effect towards screening goals.
We propose that demographic features play a critical role in increasing engagement in HIV-related high-risk behaviors; these characteristics also affect patients' social participation, well-being and self-efficacy. High-risk behaviors and social participation scores among women of different age groups and the youth highlight the need for future age and gender-specific educational and behavioral interventions among them.
Our findings are helpful in understanding the demographic, clinical and laboratory profile of people living with HIV/AIDS. Consideration of useful interventions for high- risk groups and paying more attention to socio demographic background are needed for health care providers.
Due to the significance of positive and negative results for making decision on diagnosis, initiation and follow up of treatment procedure, the time intervals should become shorter.
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