HIV-1 Effects on Neuropsychological Performance in a Resource-Limited Country, Zambia

Authors

Gabriel Holguin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mwanza Banda, University Teaching Hospital
Elizabeth J. Willen, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
Costantine Malama, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kaseya O. Chiyenu, University Teaching Hospital
Victor C. Mudenda, University Teaching Hospital
Charles Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

AIDS Behav. 2011 November ; 15(8): 1895–1901.

Comments

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Abstract

Zambia has substantially been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic with prevalence rates at 14% in a population estimated at 12 million. Yet, the extent of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in this population remains to be clearly understood. A series of culturally appropriate neuropsychological (NP) assessments [International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS), Color Trails Test 1 and 2, Grooved pegboard Test, and Time Gait Test] were used to test the effects of HIV on NP performance of HIV seropositive and seronegative individuals. Twenty-two percent HIV positive individuals ARV naïve met the criteria for IHDS-defined NP impairment. Gender significantly influenced the performance on NP tests with females performing more poorly compared to males. Larger studies that will accommodate gender differences and age are necessary to generate appropriate norms in Zambia in order to better assess the prevalence of HAND in the developing country setting.