Existing research on the specifics and treatment of HIV/AIDS is considerable because of humanity’s focus on reducing the incidence of this disease in the world. The question set for this literature review is the following: What causes, diagnosing, treatments, and prognosis are associated with HIV/AIDS and discussed in the literature? The inclusion criteria for the articles selected for analysis are the publication date within the past five years and the content covering the set question. The purpose of this review of literature is to summarize, synthesize, and evaluate the information provided in two selected articles.
Two chosen studies need to be summarized in terms of their purpose and methodologies. In their cohort study, Téllez et al. (2016) assessed the cost-effectiveness of the program for patients in Colombia who have HIV/AIDS, comparing three care providers. The researchers stated that, in addition to prevention programs oriented toward addressing the causes, much attention should have been paid to developing an effective care program including a treatment plan. Although the examined program provides opportunities for stic treatment based on using drugs and lifestyle interventions, it is costly. One of the examined providers presented patients with cost-efficient solutions, contributing to a positive prognosis for them and increasing their life expectancy (Téllez et al., 2016). Betancur et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional study in Brazil to define the characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients and their quality of life depending on their adherence to antiretroviral therapy. After conducting a survey involving 64 participants, the researchers found out that the psychological component played an important role in increasing patients’ quality of life and effectiveness of the treatment.
The authors of the reviewed articles presented some similar ideas regarding causes, diagnosing, treatments, and prognosis relateto d HIV/AIDS. According to the researchers, HIV/AIDS can be prevented only with reference to nationwide and global programs, and timely diagnosing is a priority. The effectiveness of treatment plans highly depends on patients’ adherence to therapies, as well as on the use of a holistic approach. Thus, it is extremely important for patients with HIV/AIDS not only to provide them with drugs but also to guarantee psychological support and assistance (Betancur et al., 2017; Téllez et al., 2016). These ideas were listed by the researchers in both articles.
The presented findings and conclusions can be regarded as valid because the selected articles are peer-reviewed, quantitative, of a hh quality, and their results can be easily generalized. The methodologies selected by the authors allowed them to address their research questions and provide relevant findings (Betancur et al., 2017; Téllez et al., 2016). However, depending on the fact that the topic is actively researched, and there are no general recent studies on causes and diagnosing related to HIV/AIDS, these studies address the set question for this literature review with the main focus on treatments and prognosis rather than on causes and diagnosing.
The conducted review of the literature indicates that quality research is available on treatment programs and prognosis for patients with HIV/AIDS with the goal to increase their life expectancy. The contribution of this literature review to research is that it accentuates modern researchers’ interest in examining treatments and programs to improve patients’ quality of life. However, the review of the literature also allows for identifying the gaps and areas for further research. Thus, it is necessary to examine what holistic treatment plans applied to patients with HIV/AIDS are most cost-efficient and how patients’ adherence to therapies can influence health outcomes.
References
Betancur, M. N., Lins, L., Oliveira, I. R. D., & Brites, C. (2017). Quality of life, anxiety and, depression in patients with HIV/AIDS who present poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy: A cross-sectional study in Salvador, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 21(5), 507-514.
Téllez, N. E. G., Calderón, J. A. M., Muñoz-Galindo, I. M., Rojas, J. A. D., & Roa, H. O. A. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of a care program for HIV/AIDS patients affiliated with a health insurer in Colombia, comparing three health care providers nationwide. Value in Health Regional Issues, 11, 1-8.