BACKGROUND. While a large number of cases in an HIV setting may be attributed to infections, there has also been a rise in HIV-associated malignancies such as Kaposi sarcoma and aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Good clinical outcomes have been attributed to timely clinicopathological diagnosis of these malignancies. OBJECTIVE. To describe the clinicopathological features of cases with acute abdomen secondary to AIDS-defining malignancy in the gatrointestinal tract. METHOD. This is a retrospective analysis of all cases presenting with acute abdomen and histologically diagnosed AIDS-defining malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract over a period of 8 years in our centre. Clinicopathological characteristics were retrieved from the laboratory information system. Archived haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemical stains were reappraised. RESULTS. A total of 13 cases, which consisted of 5 males and 8 females, with an average age of 35 years formed the study sample. All the patients were HIV-positive on antiretroviral therapy, and presented with acute abdomen. Intraoperatively, there were five intussusceptions, three strictures, three perforated tumours and two luminal occlusions. Histopathology confirmed five cases of Kaposi sarcoma and eight cases of high-grade B-cell lymphomas. Two patients with high-grade B-cell lymphomas died after surgical intervention. CONCLUSION. Expedited histopathological assessment of bowel resection in HIV-infected patients could improve clinical outcomes with early treatment.

Resumo Parte da poesia de Abigael Bohórquez (1936-1995) pode ser lida como poesia de testemunho homossexual. Especificamente, sua última coletânea de poemas, seu testamento poético, Poesida (1996), permite essa leitura, pois esse documento cruel, mas solidário, busca envergonhar o discurso heteronormativo, aquele que reagiu condenando as práticas homossexuais no auge da pandemia Hiv/Aids nas décadas de 1980 e 1990 do século XX. A Poesida será estudada a partir da poética da deturpação, como proposta de análise para a resistência dissidente à normalização discursiva que a coletânea de poemas oferece, tanto no confronto da tradição literária, quanto no espaço poético e na autobiografia referências. Bohórquez constrói um mural, um testemunho, uma série de canções e retratos para não esquecer, dignificar e resistir à vergonha com que tentaram classificar aqueles que morreram com o peso do estigma e da culpa.

Resumen Parte de la poesía de Abigael Bohórquez (1936-1995) puede leerse como poesía de testimonio homosexual. Específicamente, su último poemario y testamento poético, Poesida(1996), avala esa lectura, puesto que se trata de un documento cruel pero solidario que busca poner la vergüenza del lado del discurso heteronormativo, aquel que reaccionó condenando las prácticas homosexuales en el apogeo de la pandemia de VIH/sida entre los años ochenta y noventa del siglo XX. Se estudiará Poesida desde la propuesta de una “poética del tergiversar”, con el objetivo de analizar las resistencias disidentes que ofrece el poemario a la normalización discursiva tanto en la confrontación con la tradición literaria, como en el espacio poético y en las referencias autobiográficas. Bohórquez construye un mural, un testimonio, una serie de cantos y retratos para no olvidar, para dignificar y resistir la vergüenza con la que se trató de encasillar a quienes murieron con el peso del estigma y de la culpa.

Abstract Part of the poetry of Abigael Bohórquez (1936-1995) can be read as poetry of homosexual testimony. Specifically, his last collection of poems, his poetic testament, Poesida (1996), allows for this reading, since this cruel but supportive document seeks to put shame on the side of the heteronormative discourse, the one that reacted by condemning homosexual practices at the height of the Hiv/Aids pandemic in the 1980s & 1990s of the 20th century. Poesida will be studied from the poetics of misrepresentation, as a proposal for analysis for the dissident resistance to the discursive normalization that the collection of poems offers, both in the confrontation of the literary tradition, as well as in the poetic space and in the autobiographical references. Bohórquez builds a mural, a testimony, a series of songs and portraits so as not to forget, dignify and resist the shame with which they tried to classify those who died with the weight of stigma and guilt.

BACKGROUND. In the absence of more recent national data on underlying causes of death in South Africa (SA), we examined mortality trends from 2010 to 2022 among members of a large private medical scheme. This analysis sheds light on the health profile of this specific demographic. OBJECTIVE. To investigate trends in Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members' death rates and underlying cause of death patterns between 2010 and 2022. METHODS. All-cause deaths were compared across years accounting for demographic changes, by analysing age- and sex-standardised rates using 2019 age and sex population weightings. We used underlying cause-of-death data from death notifications. RESULTS. The 2019 age- and sex-standardised death rate was lower than the 2010 rate by 10%, with a steady decline experienced between 2010 and 2019. We have seen reduced age- and sex-standardised death rates from HIV/AIDS during this period, and despite the high prevalence, reduced age- and sex-standardised death rates from non-communicable diseases. Malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular disease have been and remained the two leading causes of death for Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) clients between 2012 and 2022. Age- and sex-standardised death rates, however, reached historic high levels during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in SA. In 2020, overall age- and sex-standardised death rates for DHMS members increased to 542 deaths per 100 000 life years, which was higher than pre-pandemic levels. Age- and sex-standardised death rates went on to reach their highest level in the history of the scheme in 2021, at 767 deaths per 100 000 life years. Age- and sex-standardised death rates, however, had returned to near 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels by 2022, at 477 deaths per 100 000 life years. Males experienced a higher increase in age-standardised death rates during 2020 and remained at an increased risk of death in 2022 compared with pre-pandemic levels. When COVID-19 -related deaths are excluded, the age-standardised rates for both females and males in 2022 was lower than observed in the pre-pandemic years. While the low mortality experience could be related to competing causes and mortality displacement, further analysis over a longer period is needed to confirm this. CONCLUSION. DHMS experienced the highest level of age- and sex-standardised death rates during 2020 and 2021, the initial 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of this increase was explained by COVID-19 deaths.

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at understanding the social representations of young people living with HIV. This is a qualitative study, based on the Social Representations Theory, carried out with 16 young people in outpatient follow-up. Data were collected between May and October 2022, through semi-structured interviews. For data processing, the lexical analysis technique was used, operationalized with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ software. The representation strongly associated with the diagnosis of HIV is related to lack of knowledge, prejudice and acceptance, also presenting positive elements such as a new beginning. Classes: Positive diagnosis for HIV: the new ‘me’; HIV in the face of ignorance and stigma; and Interpersonal relationships: dialogue, acceptance and respect necessary for young people. It was understood that the social representations of young people with HIV reflect their condition in society. The data show that there are different ways of experiencing HIV, often represented by fragility, resignation, and other times by strengthening. In order to minimize the vulnerability of young people to exposure to HIV and the risks of living with stigma and social prejudice, it is necessary to adopt strategies to raise awareness about the disease and to expand the dissemination of public policies that cover this topic.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as representações sociais de jovens que vivem com o HIV. Estudo qualitativo, ancorado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, realizado com 16 jovens em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Os dados foram coletados entre maio e outubro de 2022, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Para o tratamento dos dados, empregou-se a técnica de análise lexical, operacionalizada com o auxílio do software Iramuteq. A representação fortemente associada ao diagnóstico de HIV está relacionada ao desconhecimento, preconceito e aceitação, apresentando, também, elementos positivos como recomeço. Classes: Diagnóstico positivo para o HIV: o ‘eu’ de agora; HIV em face do desconhecimento e do estigma; e Relações interpessoais: diálogo, acolhimento e respeito necessários aos jovens. Compreendeu-se que as representações sociais dos jovens com HIV refletem a sua condição na sociedade. Os dados deste estudo mostram que existem formas distintas de vivenciar o HIV, muitas vezes representadas pela fragilidade, pela resignação, e outras, pelo fortalecimento. A fim de minimizar a vulnerabilidade do jovem à exposição ao HIV e aos riscos de conviver com o estigma e preconceito social, fazem-se necessárias a adoção de estratégias de conscientização da sociedade sobre a doença e a ampliação da divulgação de políticas públicas que abarcam essa temática.

Resumo O artigo analisa as práticas de cuidado e o processo de revelação do diagnóstico a crianças e adolescentes vivendo com HIV/Aids. Foi realizado um estudo de caso em um ambulatório localizado em um hospital público do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), através de observação participante, entrevistas semiestruturadas com profissionais de saúde e consulta a documentos produzidos pelos profissionais. A análise, baseada na sociologia de Simmel e Goffman, aponta a revelação do diagnóstico como uma marca que acompanha todo o cuidado estabelecido com os usuários e dá luz a questões como o segredo, o estigma e as possíveis compreensões acerca da condição de saúde estabelecidas. Com isso, as relações institucionalizadas contribuem para um progressivo contato com a condição de portador de um estigma e fazem existir fases de uma carreira de doente protegido pela informação.

Abstract This article analyzes practices of care and the HIV diagnosis disclosure process to children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. A case study was conducted in an outpatient clinic located in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro through participant observation, semi-structured interviews with health professionals, and the consultation of documents produced by the professionals. The analysis, based on the sociology of Simmel and Goffman, points to the revelation of the diagnosis as a hallmark that accompanies all the care established with users and sheds light on issues such as secrecy, stigma and the possible understandings about the health condition established. As a result, institutionalized relationships contribute to a progressive contact with the condition of bearing a stigma and enable phases of a patient’s life protected by information to exist.

Resumo O estudo analisa o acesso ao cuidado em saúde de mulheres encarceradas no estado do Ceará, rastreando transtornos mentais comuns. Estudo analítico, transversal, de natureza quantitativa, desenvolvido na única penitenciária feminina do Ceará. Participaram 90 detentas, todas com alguma das seguintes questões de saúde: gestantes, puérperas, portadoras de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, diabetes mellitus, tuberculose, sífilis, hepatite B ou HIV/Aids. Os dados foram coletados por entrevista estruturada. Evidenciou-se acesso limitado à atenção à saúde das detentas, violando direitos básicos sob tutela do Estado. Foram constatadas limitações de exames de rastreamento de doenças nas presidiárias na ocasião de seu acesso ao cárcere, principalmente as que não se encontravam grávidas no momento do encarceramento. Houve diferenças entre as distintas condições de saúde analisadas, com prioridade da atenção às gestantes e puérperas. Entre as detentas, 68,24% apresentavam risco de transtornos mentais comuns (SRQ > 7). Houve correlação positiva entre idade e saúde mental (p = 0,0002). Embora exista legislação pertinente de garantia de acesso à saúde no cárcere, o sistema prisional está despreparado para atender às necessidades de portadoras de comorbidades, gestantes e puérperas.

Abstract This study investigated access to health care among female prisoners in the state of Ceará, Brazil, and screened for common mental disorders. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in the only female prison in the state. Ninety detainees participated in the study. All participants were either pregnant or postpartum women or had one or more of the following health problems: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that access to health care was limited, violating the fundamental rights of the prisoners. Screening for diseases on admission to prison was limited, especially among non-pregnant women. Differences in health care were found between health conditions, with priority being given to pregnant and postpartum women. Most of the inmates (68.24%) were found to be at risk for common mental disorders (SRQ score > 7). A positive correlation was found between age and mental health problems (p = 0.0002). Despite legislation guaranteeing access to health care in prisons, the prison system is unprepared to meet the health needs of female prisoners with comorbidities and pregnant and puerperal women.

Abstract This paper investigates trends in antiretroviral medication prices and their impact on public health in Mexico during 2019. Using three machine learning models developed in Python (logistic regression, random forest, and K-Nearest Neighbors or KNN), this study discerns increasing or decreasing patterns in antiretroviral (ARV) drug price fluctuations using a dataset comprising 15,220 observations of ARV drugs acquired between 2016 and 2019. Results indicate that random forests exhibited the highest precision in predicting price changes, followed by KNN and logistic regression. Significant factors affecting acquisition prices, such as drug type and duration of procurement strategy, were identified. In addition to analyzing price trends, the paper explores the budgetary considerations associated with these fluctuations, providing insights into the financial implications for healthcare systems and stakeholders. It is important to note that this paper focuses on a specific ARV pharmaceutical purchasing scheme. Moreover, the study emphasizes the creation of a unified and detailed medication price database, highlighting the significant effort invested in compiling complete and comprehensive information from various sources. This study’s findings underscore the effectiveness of initiatives such as consolidated purchasing approaches and the integration of newer, cost-effective medications into treatment protocols. These initiatives have led to significant cost savings in antiretroviral medication procurement, contributing to improved access for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Overall, the research highlights the importance of data-driven approaches and strategic planning in optimizing pharmaceutical purchasing processes and ensuring sustainable access to essential medications for public health interventions.

Resumen Este trabajo examina las tendencias en los precios de medicamentos antirretrovirales y su impac to en la salud pública, centrándose en el contexto mexicano en 2019. Por medio de técnicas de aprendizaje automático, el estudio analiza las fluctuaciones en los precios de los medicamentos antirretrovirales, con base en un conjunto de datos que comprende 15,220 observaciones de medicamentos antirretrovirales (ARV) adquiridos entre 2016 y 2019, con énfasis particular en el año 2019. Los resultados indican que los “bosques aleatorios” demostraron la mayor precisión en la predicción de cambios de precios, seguidos por K-Nearest Neighbors o KNN (algoritmo de k vecinos más próximos) y la regresión logística. Se identificaron factores significativos que afectan los precios de adquisición, como el tipo de medicamento y la duración de la estrategia de adqui sición. Además, el estudio profundiza en las consideraciones presupuestarias, evaluando las im plicaciones financieras de estas fluctuaciones de precios. Estos hallazgos destacan la efectividad de iniciativas como los enfoques de adquisición consolidada y la integración de medicamentos más nuevos y rentables en los protocolos de tratamiento, lo que conduce a ahorros significativos y mejor acceso para las personas que viven con VIH/sida. Es importante destacar que este artículo se centra en analizar un esquema específico de adquisición de medicamentos antirretrovirales. Los estudios futuros ampliarán este análisis para abarcar un espectro más amplio de esquemas de adquisición de medicamentos, proporcionando así una comprensión más completa de la di námica de fijación de precios y sus implicaciones para la salud pública. Además, la investigación en curso perfeccionará la metodología e integrará fuentes de datos adicionales para mejorar la precisión y profundidad del análisis.

HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health and economic challenges, with approximately 36 million people currently living with the disease. Considerable progress has been made to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in the past years through successful multiple HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment interventions. However, barriers such as lack of engagement, limited availability of early HIV-infection detection tools, high rates of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs), barriers to access antiretroviral therapy, lack of innovative resource optimisation and distribution strategies, and poor prevention services for vulnerable populations still exist and substantially affect the attainment of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. A rapid review was conducted from 24 October 2022 to 5 November 2022. Literature searches were conducted in different prominent and reputable electronic database repositories including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Springer. The study used various search keywords to search for relevant publications. From a list of collected publications, researchers used inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen and select relevant papers for inclusion in this review. This study unpacks emerging opportunities that can be explored by applying machine learning techniques to further knowledge and understanding about HIV service design, prediction, implementation, and evaluation. Therefore, there is a need to explore innovative and more effective analytic strategies including machine learning approaches to understand and improve HIV service design, planning, implementation, and evaluation to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and awareness strategies.

Abstract: This article focuses on the most recent novel by José Ricardo Chaves, Fujirazú, which takes up the topic of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the paper is to study the gothic fantastic elements present in the novel, specifically the figure of the ghost, which acts politically (the ghost besieges us with its truth), especially in relation to its “revenge for justice” and its “loving possession.” The article concludes with the idea that Chaves’s novel uses gothic elements to invite the reader to explore the spectral dimensions of the policies linked to HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, which were not different from other policies of exclusion and elimination that occurred at other times in history.

Resumen: Este artículo se centra en la última novela de José Ricardo Chaves, Fujirazú, la cual retoma el tema del VIH/sida. El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar los elementos fantásticos góticos presentes en la novela; en específico, la figura del fantasma, la cual funciona políticamente (el fantasma nos asedia con su verdad), sobre todo en relación con su “venganza justiciera” y con su “posesión amorosa”. El artículo concluye con la idea de que la novela de Chaves utiliza los elementos góticos para ayudarnos a explorar las dimensiones espectrales de la política vinculada con el VIH/sida en la década de los ochenta, la cual no se diferencia de otras políticas de exclusión y de eliminación ocurridas en otros momentos de la historia.

Abstract The exercise of all human rights is inherent to all persons, which must be guaranteed by the States regardless of the characteristics of all persons, such as age, gender, sexual preferences, ethnic origin, nationality or migratory status. This document presents a reflection on the discrimination that older people face not only because they are older (ageism), but also because of other characteristics that place them in a situation of greater vulnerability and discrimination, such as belonging to the LGBT+ community, being in prisons or having HIV. It urges reflection on the role and sensitivity with which public institutions, mainly health institutions, must have to guarantee a fundamental right such as health, not only in the physical aspect but also in the mental one. The health challenges that the country faces are presented, and a call is made to leave no one behind, encouraging the most vulnerable populations to have immediate attention free of discrimination. The elderly are the present and the future of the realities of our countries, where Mexico is no exception.

Resumen El ejercicio de todos los derechos humanos es inherente a las personas, mismos que deben ser garantizados por los Estados sin importar las características propias de las personas, tales como edad, género, preferencias sexuales, origen étnico, nacionalidad o estado migratorio. Se presenta una reflexión acerca de la discriminación que padecen las personas mayores, no solo por el hecho de su edad sino también por otras características que los colocan en una situación de mayor vulnerabilidad y discriminación, tales como pertenecer a la comunidad LGBT+, estar en centros penitenciarios o vivir con VIH/sida. Se exhorta a la reflexión sobre el papel y la sensibilidad de las instituciones públicas para garantizar el derecho fundamental de la salud, no solo en el aspecto físico si no también en el mental. Se plantean los retos que México enfrenta en materia de salud y se hace un llamado a no dejar a nadie atrás, incentivando que las poblaciones más vulnerables tengan una atención inmediata y libre de discriminación. Las personas mayores son el presente y el futuro de las realidades de los países, y México no es la excepción.

Resumo O artigo analisa as práticas de cuidado e o processo de revelação do diagnóstico a crianças e adolescentes vivendo com HIV/Aids. Foi realizado um estudo de caso em um ambulatório localizado em um hospital público do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), através de observação participante, entrevistas semiestruturadas com profissionais de saúde e consulta a documentos produzidos pelos profissionais. A análise, baseada na sociologia de Simmel e Goffman, aponta a revelação do diagnóstico como uma marca que acompanha todo o cuidado estabelecido com os usuários e dá luz a questões como o segredo, o estigma e as possíveis compreensões acerca da condição de saúde estabelecidas. Com isso, as relações institucionalizadas contribuem para um progressivo contato com a condição de portador de um estigma e fazem existir fases de uma carreira de doente protegido pela informação.

Abstract This article analyzes practices of care and the HIV diagnosis disclosure process to children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. A case study was conducted in an outpatient clinic located in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro through participant observation, semi-structured interviews with health professionals, and the consultation of documents produced by the professionals. The analysis, based on the sociology of Simmel and Goffman, points to the revelation of the diagnosis as a hallmark that accompanies all the care established with users and sheds light on issues such as secrecy, stigma and the possible understandings about the health condition established. As a result, institutionalized relationships contribute to a progressive contact with the condition of bearing a stigma and enable phases of a patient’s life protected by information to exist.

Resumo O estudo analisa o acesso ao cuidado em saúde de mulheres encarceradas no estado do Ceará, rastreando transtornos mentais comuns. Estudo analítico, transversal, de natureza quantitativa, desenvolvido na única penitenciária feminina do Ceará. Participaram 90 detentas, todas com alguma das seguintes questões de saúde: gestantes, puérperas, portadoras de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, diabetes mellitus, tuberculose, sífilis, hepatite B ou HIV/Aids. Os dados foram coletados por entrevista estruturada. Evidenciou-se acesso limitado à atenção à saúde das detentas, violando direitos básicos sob tutela do Estado. Foram constatadas limitações de exames de rastreamento de doenças nas presidiárias na ocasião de seu acesso ao cárcere, principalmente as que não se encontravam grávidas no momento do encarceramento. Houve diferenças entre as distintas condições de saúde analisadas, com prioridade da atenção às gestantes e puérperas. Entre as detentas, 68,24% apresentavam risco de transtornos mentais comuns (SRQ > 7). Houve correlação positiva entre idade e saúde mental (p = 0,0002). Embora exista legislação pertinente de garantia de acesso à saúde no cárcere, o sistema prisional está despreparado para atender às necessidades de portadoras de comorbidades, gestantes e puérperas.

Abstract This study investigated access to health care among female prisoners in the state of Ceará, Brazil, and screened for common mental disorders. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in the only female prison in the state. Ninety detainees participated in the study. All participants were either pregnant or postpartum women or had one or more of the following health problems: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that access to health care was limited, violating the fundamental rights of the prisoners. Screening for diseases on admission to prison was limited, especially among non-pregnant women. Differences in health care were found between health conditions, with priority being given to pregnant and postpartum women. Most of the inmates (68.24%) were found to be at risk for common mental disorders (SRQ score > 7). A positive correlation was found between age and mental health problems (p = 0.0002). Despite legislation guaranteeing access to health care in prisons, the prison system is unprepared to meet the health needs of female prisoners with comorbidities and pregnant and puerperal women.

Abstract The central concern of this article was to understand the life trajectories experienced intersectionally by women based on the concept of assemblage thinking in the production of their respective geographical contexts, specifically the reality of those who lived/live with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Presidente Prudente - SP, Brazil. For this study, the methodological articulation between Life History and Discourse Analysis (DA) was chosen, based on the production and analysis of qualitative data (childhood, youth, adulthood). This made it possible to interpret the meanings and connections produced by the research participants through the complex realities of space-time, content and agency shown in the narratives. The women who took part in the research dealt and interacted with different agents under the conformity produced by/within the geographical context, which showed constant changes in their fields of possibilities by highlighting their main events and turning points. This understanding makes us believe in the potential of using assemblage thinking and the geographical context as contributions to Geography, especially in fields committed to subjects, their cultures, bodies and their intersectionalities that allow us to read movement, the continuity of life, the new, the still unknown.

Resumo A preocupação central deste artigo foi compreender as trajetórias de vidas experienciadas interseccionalmente por mulheres a partir do conceito de assemblage thinking na produção de seus respectivos contextos geográficos, especificamente, a realidade daquelas que viveram/vivem com o Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana / Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (HIV/AIDS) em Presidente Prudente - SP, Brasil. Para este estudo foi elencada a articulação metodológica entre a História de Vida e a Análise do Discurso (AD) pautada na produção e análise dos dados qualitativos (infância, juventude, vida adulta). Isso permitiu a interpretação dos sentidos e conexões produzidos pelas participantes da pesquisa mediante as complexas realidades de espaço-tempo, de conteúdo e de agência evidenciadas nas narrativas. As mulheres participantes da pesquisa, lidaram e interagiram com distintos agentes sob a conformidade produzida com/no o contexto geográfico, o que evidenciou modificações constantes em seus campos de possibilidades mediante o destaque de seus principais acontecimentos e pontos de inflexão. Tal entendimento nos faz crer na potencialidade do emprego da assemblage thinking e do contexto geográfico enquanto contribuições para a Geografia, sobretudo, nos campos comprometidos com os sujeitos, suas culturas, corpos e suas interseccionalidades que permitem a leitura do movimento, da continuidade da vida, do novo, do ainda desconhecido.

Resumen La preocupación central de este artículo fue comprender las trayectorias de vida vividas interseccionalmente por mujeres a partir del concepto de pensamiento ensamblador en la producción de sus respectivos contextos geográficos, específicamente la realidad de las que vivieron/viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana/Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (VIH/SIDA) en Presidente Prudente - SP, Brasil. Para este estudio, se optó por la articulación metodológica entre Historia de Vida y Análisis del Discurso (AD), a partir de la producción y análisis de datos cualitativos (infancia, juventud, adultez). Esto permitió interpretar los significados y conexiones producidos por las participantes en la investigación a través de las realidades complejas de espacio-tiempo, contenido y agencia mostradas en las narrativas. Las mujeres que participaron en la investigación trataron e interactuaron con diferentes agentes bajo la conformidad producida por/en el contexto geográfico, que mostró cambios constantes en sus campos de posibilidades destacando sus principales acontecimientos y puntos de inflexión. Esta comprensión nos hace creer en el potencial de la utilización del pensamiento ensamblador y del contexto geográfico como aportes a la Geografía, especialmente en campos comprometidos con los sujetos, sus culturas, cuerpos y sus interseccionalidades que nos permiten leer el movimiento, la continuidad de la vida, lo nuevo, lo aún desconocido.

Resumen La mucormicosis es una infección aguda causada por hongos mucorales, la cual se manifiesta en pacientes inmunodeprimidos, y es subdiagnosticada en entornos médicos, lo que afecta su manejo y aumenta la mortalidad debido a su baja prevalencia. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 39 años con VIH/SIDA y falta de adherencia al tratamiento antiretroviral, que desarrolla síntomas de fiebre y tos durante 21 días antes de ser hospitalizado por pancitopenia y roncus. A pesar del tratamiento antituberculoso y antimicrobiano, el paciente experimentó deterioro neurológico, se inició anfotericina B sin éxito terapéutico, fallece y se solicita una autopsia médico-científica, que revela mucormicosis diseminada secundaria posiblemente a estadio SIDA. Por lo anterior, se resalta la importancia de considerar esta infección en pacientes inmunodeprimidos con presentaciones atípicas,subrayando la necesidad de un enfoque clínico temprano y específico para mejorar los resultados en situaciones críticas de mucormicosis.

Abstract Mucormycosis is an acute infection caused by mucoralean fungi, manifesting in immunocompromised patients and often underdiagnosed in medical settings, impacting management and increasing mortality due to its low prevalence. The case of a 39-year-old man with HIV/AIDS and non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment is presented. He developed fever and cough for 21 days before hospitalization due to severe pancytopenia and wheezing. Despite antituberculous and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, the patient experienced neurological deterioration, prompting the initiation of unsuccessful amphotericin B treatment. The patient succumbed, leading to a request for a medical-scientific autopsy. Autopsy findings revealed disseminated mucormycosis, possibly secondary to late-stage AIDS, emphasizing the importance of considering this infection in immunocompromised patients with atypical presentations. This case underscores the need for an early and specific clinical approach to improve outcomes in critical mucormycosis situations.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, the number of people unaware of their HIV status, and the rate of transmission of the disease, remains high. Scaling up of HIV testing opportunities and settings, particularly in the dental clinical setting, is needed to address this major public health concern. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study assessed dental patients' knowledge, attitudes and practices in voluntary counselling and rapid HIV testing (VCT) in the dental workplace in the eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal to determine their understanding and support for these services. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to dental patients located in private and public dental settings in the eThekwini district. Two hundred and fifty (n=250) completed questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a response rate of 100%. RESULTS: More than half of the participants (n=134; 53.6%) indicated not to have heard of rapid HIV testing or were "unsure" of their knowledge regarding rapid HIV testing. The majority of participants (n=209; 83.6%) reported wanting the option to test for HIV at the dental workplace and 76.8% (n=192) indicated that rapid HIV testing should be routinely conducted by the oral healthcare worker. Participants (n=189; 75.6%) indicated to be less willing to partake in HIV testing should there be a cost implication. Some participants (n=104; 41.6%) indicated that they did not want the oral healthcare worker to perform the test due to perceived incompetency in rapid HIV counselling and testing. More participants from urban (n=214; 85.6%) and rural (n=217; 86.8%) areas of living were keen on the option to test for HIV at the dental workplace, with only 46.8% (n=117) of the informal dwellers sharing the same sentiment. CONCLUSION: Participants reported inadequate knowledge and practice of VCT at the dental workplace. Participants had positive attitudes towards VCT implementation in the dental setting, provided that the cost of conducting of the test was free.