United NationsEducational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization

Organisationdes Nations Unies

pour I·~ducation.

la science et la culture

AWSEAfrican Womenin Science and Engineering

CHEMISTRY&

HIV and AIDS

Integrated Module (Uganda)

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CHEMISTRY

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HIVandAIDS

Integration Module (Uganda)

Project Implementation Team:­Mrs. Alice Ochanda ~ UNESCOProf. Mabel Imbuga - AWSE/JKUATProf. Caroline Lang'at-Thoruwa - AWSEIKUProf. VIctoria Nguml - AWSE/JKUATDr. Ethel Monda - AWSE/KUMrs. Mary Mwangi - AWSE/KUProf. Zippora Ng'ang'a - JKUATProf. Xiaohua Xia - University ofPretoriaProf. Mlchael Kelly - Jesuite

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African WomenIn SCience and Engineering

Preamble

The pandemic ofHIVIAIDS is a public health emergency ofun-paralledmagnitude and particularly so in resource strained countries (subSaharan Africa). Despite efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic,there are reports of increased prevalence rates and deaths due to HIVin the last 2 decades. It is estimated that the real impacts of the scourgewill be not be felt until 2050.

Universities have not been spared by the scourge. The disease has thepotential to impair institutional functioning. The long lead time betweeninitial HIV infection and development ofAIDS has major implicationsfor universities. The mandate of service to society demands theengagement of every university with HIVIAIDS.

Universities have a special responsibility for the development ofhumanresources and are crucial agents of change and providers of leadershipdirections in society. Thus, they should be at the forefront in developinga deeper understanding of HIVIAIDS.

In an effort to prepare students to address HIV/AIDS at personal andprofessional levels, universities must be involved in a proactive andsustainable manner in mitigation of the pandemic through integrationof HIVIAIDS in the teaching curriculum of every university faculty.This will ensure development ofAIDS educated and AIDS competentgraduates who will be adequately qualified to carry AIDS concerns intotheir subsequent life, to address AIDS issues in their professions asmanagers, policy makers, leaders, politicians, community workers etcand to bring AIDS into the open within their societies.

These sample modules have been developed from the existing modulesin selected areas of biological sciences. The content of the currentteaching units remains the same but there is HIV and AIDS educationand HIV related examples. Each teaching unit should be covered in 35hours as before. The focus of the unit remains the same. It is anticipatedthat in the course of 35 contact hours the student will not only learn the

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basic tenets of Chemistry as prescribed but will also be impacted withsome HIV and AIDS knowledge that could influence, the perception,behavioral change, demystification and contribute in the fight againstHIV and AIDS in the universities and communities at large.

This teaching module is an output of the in country training on "HigherEducation Science and Curricular Reforms: African Universitiesresponding to HIV and AIDS at Munyonyo, Speke Resort, Kampala,Uganda. The module contains input from participants from publicinstitutions of Higher education in Uganda and is based on theircurricula in the teaching of Chemistry.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This integrated course module has benefited from the input oflecturersfrom the following Institutions of Higher Education: Gulu University,Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technol­ogy, Makerere University and Aga Khan University and is based ontheir curricula in the teaching of chemistry. The training workshopwas facilitated by Prof. Zipporah Ng'ang'a and Prof. CarolineLang'at-Thoruwa from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture &Technology and Kenyatta University respectively.

Technical and editorial inputs were also received from Mrs. AliceOchanda of UNESCO Nairobi Office, Prof. Mabel Imbuga and Mrs.Mary Mwangi of African Women in Science and Engineering(AWSE).

Profound gratitude and further acknowledgement is expressed toUNAIDS who made the work possible through the UBW funds.

Special thanks to Monica Gammimba ofAWSE for assistance in finalformatting of the module.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT BY DESIGNER PRINTEmail: d.designerprint@gmail.com

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BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRYMetals in biological systems. Models of haemoglobin, nitrogenaseand vitamin B12 complexes. Non heme metalloproteins suchas cytochromes and ferrodoxins. Contribution of bioinorganicchemistry to medicine. Metal ion poisoning (such as Pb, Cd,Hg), poisoning by inorganic gases and mechanisms of poisoning.Treatment of poisoning by metal ions and inorganic gases.

Entry points

• Discuss food sources and the importance ofnutrients to the body.Under nutrition and malnutrition and their effect on the immunesystem.

• The role ofinorganic elements as micro nutrients- Zn, Cu. Ca. Mg,Se. Vit B12. Ca deficiency and chronic disease, low immunity

• Haaemoglobin as a metallo-protein complex: role in uptake anddistribution of oxygen in human body. CO-bonding with Fe inblood leading to poisoning/death especially in HIV/AIDS infectedpeople.

• Air pollution and lung diseases,. The impact of the oxides ofC, Nand S on a person infected with HIV/AIDS.

• Heavy metal poisoning Pb, Cd, Hg. Pb - stored in bone marrow,.

• Additives ofheavy metals in cosmetics and their effect on health.Examples include.skin lightening creams and soaps with mercury­worsen the situation of an HIV/AIDS infected people. Minimisetheir use because they accelerate disease.

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Chemical Thermodynamics

Properties of gases; Gas laws. Kinetic theory of gases; Chemicalthermodynamic systems, states, state function and the equilibriumstate. First law ofthermodynamics, , Gibbs and Hemholtz free energies.Second law of thermodynamics; entropy and disorder. The third law ofthermodynamics

Entry points

Entropy, The presence of the virus causes disorder of the immunesystem ofan individual. AIDS causes disorders in the health, education,households and the economic sector

Reversible and Irreversible reactions: Irreversibility of the viralinfection once it enters the body system. Also discuss prevention andmanagement ofthe disease

Thermodynamic system: isolated, closed and open.

Routes that can open the closed system: unprotected sex, scratchlcuton your body and get infected with blood containing the virus, prickyourselfwith equipment contaminated with the virus and thus you needprotection. Open system- wounds in the mouth and other parts of thebody especially reproductive organs.

Chemical equilibrium- ARV use keeps the virus at low level hencestabilizes the CD4 cells. Infected person should adhere to treatment

Zeroth law - A person A interacting with person B and person B whohappen to also interacts with an infected partner C , automaticallyperson A will be infected. Be responsible people in society.

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POLYMER CHEMISTRYPolymerization, sources of monomers, natural and synthetic sources,polymerization reactions and mechanisms. Industrial manufactureof polymers. Application of polymers and products they generate.Synthesis of biodegradable polymers and their application.

Entry point

Types of condoms, condom manufacture, how condoms work, correctand consistent use, Role ofcondoms in the prevention ofnew infections,protection against multiple infections.

Glove manufacture, use in HIVIAIDS management and disposal to

prevent accidental transmission.

CHEMICAL KINETICS

Reaction rate processes and rate laws; order and molecularity of areaction; explanation of zero, first, second, third and pseudo orderreactions; determination of an order of a reaction; differential andintegral rate equations; effect of temperature on reaction rate; energy ofactivation; Arrhenius equation.

Electrolysis; electrical units; electrolytic conductance; molarconductance; experimental determination of conductance; conductanceofsolutions ofstrong and weak electrolytes; ionic conductance at infinitedilution. Applications of conductance measurements - conductometrictitrations and solubility ofsparingly soluble salt. Transference numbersand the methods of their determinations.

Electrochemical cells: electromotive force (emf) of cells, the hydrogenelectrode, the emf series and its uses, Nemst equation, concentrationcells, the standard cell, the principle of measurement of the emf of acell. Applications (electrolysis ofNaCl, electroplating).

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Entry points

o HIV transmission is analogous to a chain reaction. Single infectionis 1st order, multiple infections are analogous to 2nd order andresult in faster acceleration to AIDS

o HIV concentration in body fluids (Viral load) influences theefficiency offluids in HIV transmission.

o Factors increasing the risk of HIV infection: multiple sexualpartners, cultural practices, poverty, drug and substance abuseinfluencing progression from HIV to full-blown AIDS as analogy.

o Applications ofelectromotive force in HIV testing. Benefits ofHIVtesting

o Half life ofa reaction in relation to that ofCD4 cells.

o Radioactive decay and destruction ofthe CD4 cells.

o Catalysis- enzyme catalysing the accumulation andpropagation ofthe virus in the body. Rate ofprogression to AIDS is enhanced

o Inhibition- Drug use can reduce the viral load and rate ofreplication. Thus, continual use once infected. Condoms provideprotection

o Chemical chain reaction which can not easily be terminated. Thus,the need to be responsible (discuss ways ofkeeping the load down)

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SURFACE AND COLLOID CHEMISTRY

Course Description

Adsorption: determination, characteristics and classification.

Contributions of Langmuir, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. Applications ­chromatographic methods. Heterogeneous catalysis. Liquid surface.Solutes and surface tension. Action of surface active agents.

Colloid state. Soils - preparation and properties. Gels. Emulsions.Natural and synthetic macromolecules - principles involved in theirmolar mass determinations. Applications.

Entry points

o Adsorption and absorption. HIV virus gets attached to the cell,finally penetrates into the cell causing infection. Hydrophilic andhydrophobic nature of both the body cell and possibly the virusenhances the attack by the virus.

o The more the HIV particles adsorbed on the cell the more thedestruction ofthe CD4 cells.

o HIV only binds on CD4 selectively. Colloidal nature of proteinseparation in electrophoresis.

o Chromatographic techniques in separation of HIV proteins. Therole ofHIVproteins in HIV replication

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Aims and Learning Objectives

To provide the students with the understanding of the basic principlesofthermodynamics and kinetics. Students should be able to apply theseto a wide range of chemical and physico chemical situations.

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Intended learning Outcomes

The student should be able to:

1. understand energy conservation III closed, open and reactingsystems

2. Apply the three laws of thermodynamics to chemical and physicalprocesses

3. calculate changes in enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, theequilibrium constants of chemical reactions

4. Determine the rate of a chemical reaction and understand thesignificance of rate, first and second order, rate determining stepand mechanism

5. Know how the concentration of reactants change with timefor zero, first and second order reactions, as well as first orderopposing, consecutive and reversible reactions so that the relevantrate constants can be calculated

Course Synopsis:

Thermodynamics, heat, work and energy. First law of thermodynamics,enthalpy change, the second law, entropy, spontaneity of processes,the Helmholtz and Gibbs energies, the Third law, chemical potentialof pure substances, equilibrium between pure phases, rates of chemicalreactions, experimental techniques in chemical kinetics, integrated ratelaws, temperature dependence of reactions, theory of reaction rates,reaction mechanisms, unimolecular reactions

Entry points

• Risk factors in HIV infection: multiple sexual partners, drug andsubstance abuse. cultural practices. gender, poverty. malnutrition,pregnancy are analogous to rate limitingfactors ofreactions.

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Factors that decelerate the rate ofHIV progression to AIDS i.eAntiretroviral drugs, Vit A supplementation, elective caesareansection, healthy eating habits

• The role ofHIV enzymes as catalysts in HIV replication (reversetranscriptase, integrase andprotease)

• Antretroviral drugs as inhibitors ofenzyme action. Types, mode ofaction. The spec;jicity ofARV drugs

• Multiple infections from multiple sexual partners are analogous tosecond and third order reactions

• HIVaffects the entropy of the body by disrupting body processes(respiration, digestion, reproduction, thermoregulation) and bycausing generalized immunosuppression.

The higher the viral load, the higher the degree of entropy. Thepresence of opportunistic infections affects body equilibrium(disrupts the well being, health) and also the countries of theinfected.

• Impact ofHIV on the individual, households, community, culture,demography, agriculture, health, agriculture, education, industryetc. The impact ofHIV on the infected and the affected.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

• History of environmental chemistry, Environment and the qualityoflife, air pollution - major air pollutants (oxides ofcarbon, sulphurand nitrogen; hydrocarbons), ozone, greenhouse effect, acid rain,particulates, radiation, heavy metals, waste management - plastics,domestic, industrial; Water pollution, water quality, industrialpollution, Environment- policies and international agreements.

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Entry points

• HIV/AIDS and Quality oflife - The virus like pollutants affect thequality oflife ofthe infected and affected.

• - Immune system in AIDS patients compromised hence moresusceptible to environmental pollutants (air pollutants - nitrogenand sulfuric oxides, particulates) and to respiratory diseases - TB,bronchitis etc. Acid rain - sulfuric acid and nitric acid - wearsaway respiratory tissue,

• Airpollutants - CO, heavy metals (Pb),found in cigarettes. Hencehigher levels ofco and Pb in blood ofsmokers.

• Tobacco and alcohol break down your immune system.

• Better to avoid smoking and drinking when on ARV therapy.

• Water pollution - source ofdiseases- cholera, amoebic dysentery,giardiasis, typhoid - diarrhoea and dehydration

• Wastes -- surgical gloves to avoid contamination

• Plastics andpolymers- synthesis and disposal, Condoms - differenttypes: Synthetic condoms - polyurethane. Latex condoms -fromrubber trees. Female condoms polyurethane or latex.

• Purity ofwater is analogous to a HIVfree body. Virus upsets thebalances in the body. Internal pollution in body.

• Research

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List of Participants

Gulu University

1. Mr. Opika Opoka Hector

2. Mr. Daniel NKwata Katongole

3. Prof. Elizabeth Opiyo

4. Mr. Geofrey Tabo Olok

Makerere University

5. Or Stephen Mukiibi

6. Dr. Vincent A. Ssembatya

Mbarara University of Science &Technology

7. Mr. Emmanuel Ntambi

8. Mr Simon K Anguma

9 Mr. Kenneth Kwikiriza Katuramu

Kyambogo University

10 Or Robinah Dumba

11. Dr. Rosemary Nabadda

12. Mr. Aaron Wanyama

13. Mr. Ben Bosco Buga

14. Mr. Moses N. Twesigye-omwe

Aga Khan University

15. Ms. Samina Vertejee

16. Mrs Mercy Muwema Mwanja

17. Mrs Anne Muli

Consultant

18 Prof Xiaohua Xia

University of Pretoria

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19. Prof. Zipporah Ng'ang'a

Jomo Kenyatta University ofAgriculture and Tech.

20. Prof. Michael Kelly

Jesuites

Guest

21. Dr. Saul Onyango

Uganda AIDS Commission

UNESCO

22 Mrs. Alice Ochanda

AWSE

23 Prof. Caroline Lang'at-Thoruwa

24. Mrs. Mary Mwangi

25. Mrs. Monica Gammimba

United NationsEducational. Scientific and

Cultural Organization

Organisationdes Nations Unies

pour I·~ducatron.

la science et la culture

I

AWSE =."~:.c=e~lng

African Women in Science and EngineeringUnited Nations Avenue, ICRAF HouseP.O. Box 30677·00100Nairobi, KenyaTel. 254·20· 7224750 or 7224000 Ext. 4750Fax_ 254-20- 7224001E-mail: awse@cglar.org