Biomedical subjects

G Svilar

Publications and source records attributed to G Svilar.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Knowledge about vaccine trials and willingness to participate in an HIV/AIDS vaccine study in the Ugandan military.

In preparation for HIV vaccine trials, knowledge about vaccines, willingness to participate in a vaccine study, and motivations for participation must be assessed. The Preparation for AIDS Vaccine Evaluation study assessed knowledge about vaccines and vaccine trials and willingness to participate in a hypothetical trial in 1,182 Ugandan military men (aged 18-30 years). Participants received education about vaccine trials and were interviewed during 24 months of follow-up observation. Its key findings are that: 1) throughout follow-up, most participants expressed willingness to participate in a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial; 2) participants are familiar with vaccines but do not clearly distinguish the use of vaccines for prevention or curing; 3) the most common reason given for being interested in participating in a vaccine trial was to be protected from HIV/AIDS; 4) trials' procedures (e.g., placebos, randomization, and blinding) were unfamiliar; and 5) knowledge about trials' procedures increased incrementally over follow-up, but at different rates for different concepts. These data demonstrate that potential vaccine trials' participants may benefit from vaccine trial education if adequate time is allowed to ensure that participants are able to master the complex information required for trial participation.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed2001

Developing AIDS vaccine trials educational programs in Uganda.

In preparation for HIV vaccine trials, data on a cohort's knowledge about vaccines and vaccine studies are required so as to tailor educational materials to adequately meet local needs. Interviews (n = 1,182) conducted as part of a 3-year prospective study of Ugandan military men aged 18 to 30 years determined what information, in addition to standard trials information, would be required to ensure comprehension of trial procedures. The interviews highlighted four points: (1) the cohort has a lot of knowledge about vaccines but conflates whether vaccines cure or prevent disease; (2) there is a general lack of knowledge about clinical trials procedures; (3) the desire to be protected from HIV/AIDS is a common reason for being willing to participate in a hypothetical vaccine trial; and (4) concern about side effects is a common reason for being unwilling to participate in a trial. These four points guided the focus of the vaccine trials education, which used locally appropriate analogies to introduce complex unfamiliar concepts such as placebos and blinding. This case study highlights the value of incorporating baseline interviews to assess the educational needs of study populations.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed1999

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of Ugandan infants with HIV infection: an application of growth curve analysis.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-infected infants of non-drug-using mothers were assessed in a controlled, prospective study from birth to 24 months with 3 groups: 61 infants of HIV-infected mothers, 234 uninfected infants of HIV-infected mothers (seroreverters), and 115 uninfected infants of uninfected mothers. Compared with seroreverters and uninfected infants, HIV-infected infants demonstrated lower mental and motor development on the Bayley Scales and greater deceleration in their rate of motor development. HIV-infected infants with abnormal neurologic exams had lower motor and mental test scores and lower rates of motor Bayley Scales scores than their HIV-infected counterparts with normal neurologic exams. Contrary to prediction, no group differences in mean performance or growth rates were found on visual information processing on the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed1997

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of Ugandan infants with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

BACKGROUND: The neurodevelopmental outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected Ugandan infants of nondrug-using mothers were studied using controlled, prospective methodology. METHOD: The sample of 436 full-term infants included 79 HIV-infected infants of HIV-1-infected mothers, 241 uninfected infants of HIV-1-infected mothers (seroreverters), and 116 uninfected infants born to HIV-negative mothers. Neurologic status, information processing ability, and motor and mental development were assessed from 6 to 24 months of age. Observations of caretaker-child interaction and home environments were made at 6 and 12 months. All evaluators were blinded to the HIV status of the child and family. RESULTS: Compared with seroreverters and uninfected infants, HIV-infected infants demonstrated greater deficits in motor development and neurologic status, and more frequent and earlier onset of motor and neurologic abnormalities. Compared with controls, HIV-infected infants had more abnormalities in mental development at 6 and 18 months and an earlier onset of abnormalities. By 12 months, 30% of HIV-infected infants demonstrated motor abnormalities and 26% cognitive abnormalities as compared with 11% and 6% among seroreverters and 5% and 6% among seronegative infants. HIV-infected infants (62%) demonstrated a higher probability of developing an abnormal neurologic examination by 12 months, compared with seroreverters (17%) or seronegative infants (15%). Information-processing abilities did not differ as a function of HIV infection. Home environments and infants' interactions with caretakers were similar across groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HIV infection results in more frequent and earlier abnormalities in infants' neurologic status and motor development that are not attributable to other biological and environmental risk factors. More frequent mental developmental abnormalities were evident at several ages. However, information-processing abilities, such as recognition memory, may be spared from HIV-related deficits.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗