PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Adrien

Publications and source records attributed to A Adrien.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sexual behaviour, condom use and HIV risk situations in the general population of Quebec.

We conducted 3501 telephone interviews to determine the sexual and protective behaviours of the general population in Quebec. Among the 858 respondents who had had at least one occasional partner during the last 5 years, 25.4% had had at least one occasional partner who refused to use a condom. More women had had an occasional partner who had refused than men (29.8% vs 21.1%, P<0.001) and fewer women than men succeeded in negotiating condom use, but more of these women decided not to have sexual relations. The frequency of condom use during the last sexual relation changes if the partner is a regular cohabiting partner (12.5%), a regular non-co-habiting partner (42.2%) or an occasional partner (70.8%). Our study provides important information for the development of prevention programmes for the heterosexual population and demonstrates the importance of the type of relationship maintained by the partners on the sexual behaviours.

Adolescent↗

Highlights of the sexual activity of the heterosexual population in the province of Quebec.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and quantify the level of sexual activity of the heterosexually active population of Quebec. METHODS: The data analysed included 2889 heterosexually active individuals aged 15-60 (agemed = 32) from a 1996-7 survey on the sexual lifestyles of the general population of Quebec. Various probability distributions were studied to assess their capacity to describe and quantify the lifetime and yearly numbers of sexual partners of the sampled population. To estimate the annual rates of new partner acquisition, a generalised linear model was fitted to the number of lifetime sexual partners as a function of age, years of sexual activity, and sex. RESULTS: The mean and variance of the number of lifetime sexual partners for men (mean = 11, s2 = 163) is higher than for women (mean = 6, s2 = 72). The negative binomial and lognormal probability distributions give the most adequate fit to the lifetime number of partners for both agglomerated and stratified (by sex and age) data. The estimated annual rates of new partner acquisition provide two important results for prevention: (1) the first year of sexual activity represents the highest annual rate of new partner acquisition independent of age, (2) annual rates of new partner acquisitions increase through mid-life (ages 40-50) combined with a decrease in condom use. CONCLUSION: Problems caused by the use of large categories in the estimation of mean and variance cannot totally be overcome by fitting probability distributions to the empirical data despite good fits. Furthermore, we believe that adequate estimates of the annual rate of new partner acquisition should be a better measure of the risk of HIV infection than the number of partners since the first is a measure of incidence while the second is a measure of prevalence.

Adolescent↗

Migration and HIV: an epidemiological study of Montrealers of Haitian origin.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risk factors among Montrealers of Haitian origin. We carried out a voluntary, anonymous survey in 7 primary care medical clinics in Montreal among 5039 persons aged 15 to 49 years born in Haiti or with at least one parent born in Haiti. The participation rate was 94.3%. Overall, HIV prevalence was 1.3% (1.6% in men and 1.1% in women). The HIV prevalence was lower among those born in Canada or who had resided in Canada longer. The prevalence among subjects who had travelled to Haiti in the previous 5 years was 2.0%, twice the rate of those who had not. The adjusted population attributable fraction of HIV infections associated with having had unprotected sex in Haiti was 10.2%. This study identified risk factors which will help in the design of more effective prevention programmes among Montrealers of Haitian origin.

Adolescent↗

Migration and HIV.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Emigration and Immigration↗

Aids-related knowledge and practices in migrant populations: the case of Montrealers of Haitian origin.

The objectives of the study were to determine knowledge levels regarding AIDS and its modes of transmission, and to describe sexual behaviour of Montrealers of Haitian origin. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted in three phases between 1987 and 1990. A questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview with the exception of the section concerning sexual practices which was self-administered for those respondents who were literate in French. The study was conducted among 775 men and women residing in the metropolitan Montreal region. These individuals were aged 15 to 39, were born in Haiti or had at least one parent born in Haiti. Knowledge levels were high except for misconceptions about HIV transmission through casual contact and mosquito bites. There was a significant association between high risk sexual behaviour and marital status with the odds of having had multiple partners significantly raised for previously married individuals (OR = 5.96, 95% CI = 3.09; 11.50). High risk behaviour was also associated with being under 25 years of age (OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.40; 5.74), knowing someone with HIV/AIDS (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.05; 3.37), being male (OR = 6.81, 95% CI = 3.99; 11.60) and earlier year of interview. Montrealers of Haitian origin, with their specific AIDS-related socio-cultural characteristics, constitute a community which is intermediate between their country of origin, Haiti, and their host country, Canada.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices in Haiti.

AIDS constitutes an important public health problem in Haiti, where it appears to be spread mainly through heterosexual encounters. The study reported here employed in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and a national cross-sectional survey of 1,300 men and 1,300 women 15 to 49 years old to assess AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices in Haiti. According to criteria established for the study, 38.1% of the 1,118 sexually active male survey respondents were found to engage in high-risk behavior. In general, the women were found to have better knowledge of AIDS than the men. Significant obstacles to condom use included the inability of women to choose whether condoms would be used and a belief that condom lubricant could cause health problems. The study also found a tendency to ostracize people with AIDS, especially in areas outside Port-au-Prince, and a belief that AIDS was imposed on people by fate--which could partially explain the tendency to persist in high-risk behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Cutaneous electric stimulation in aging. Electroacupuncture of wrinkles following the procedure of Ph. Simonin].

The electroacupuncture process developed by Ph. Simonin has been used in the treatment of slack skin and age wrinkles of the face and neck. At present, with data in hand on a large number cases and spanning several years, it appears that substantial improvements are obtained in some 70 percent of cases after 10 to 15 sessions, maintained by periodic booster sessions, without any side effects. Although the exact physiological process of tissue regeneration via electric stimulation is still imperfectly understood, the reappearance of collagen and elastic fibers in the treated areas seems probable. Comparable results, derived from the use of similar electrical currents, have been documented in a variety of treatments, e.g. consolidation of fractures or of non-union and congenital pseudarthrosis, beneficial effects in urinary incontinence or in neuropathology.

Adult↗

Anti-HIV antibodies and other serological and immunological parameters among normal Haitians in Montreal.

A matched-pair, cross-sectional study of lymphocyte and serological parameters associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 189 randomly chosen, ostensibly healthy adult Haitian immigrants residing in Montreal matched for sex, age (within 5 years), and neighborhood of residence to 189 non-Haitian (Caucasian) controls was done in 1983-1984. Three years later (1986-1987), 41 of the Haitian study subjects and 83 of the non-Haitian controls participated in a follow-up study centered on lymphocyte parameters. A significantly greater number of Haitians than controls had produced antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. In addition, a greater percentage of the Haitians than the controls were also producing antibodies to two other opportunistic pathogens frequently encountered in AIDS, cytomegalovirus and hepatitis B virus, implying that the Haitians in general had had greater exposure to a variety of infectious agents than had the controls. A few study participants were producing antibodies against two viruses that are related to the human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1), the human T-cell lymphotropic viruses I and II (HTLV-I and -II). Two Haitians and one control were producing antibodies against HTLV-I. One study subject and four controls were HTLV-II seropositive. The most interesting and surprising finding was that four (2.1%) of the Haitian study subjects but none of the controls were seropositive for HIV-1. These individuals, two of whom were women and two men, were asymptomatic. Although their individual lymphocyte parameter values fell in the normal range, as a group they had statistically significantly lower average values for their lymphocyte parameters than did the HIV-seronegative Haitian study objects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Canadian experiences with AIDS and HIV infection.

Canada's first AIDS case was diagnosed in 1978, and a total of 2,003 cases had been recorded up to 19 September 1988. Nationwide, 82% of those afflicted have been homosexual or bisexual men, 5% have been immigrants from endemic regions, and 4.6% have been recipients of blood or blood products. Estimates of Canadians infected with HIV range from 10,000 to 50,000. A system of voluntary testing of individuals, combined with anonymous screening of populations for epidemiologic purposes, comprises the HIV testing program in Canada. Most major cities have volunteer AIDS support committees conducting education, advocacy, and support activities; Can$48 million has been allocated to educate the public about AIDS over the next five years. Research and international cooperation are also receiving increased priority and funding.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Immunologic findings in healthy Haitians in Montreal.

To investigate the occurrence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Haitians, a health status questionnaire was administered and selected studies of immune status done in a randomly chosen sample of 189 healthy adult Haitians living in Montreal. The study group was comparable to a large sample of Haitians in Montreal interviewed in the 1981 census with respect to age, sex, number of persons per household and year of immigration, but the proportion of currently married people in the study was larger (60.8% v. 42.6%). The results in the study group were compared with those in a sample of 189 non-Haitians matched for age, sex and neighbourhood of residence. Persons with known causes of impaired immune function were excluded. The participation rate was 87.5%. The study and control groups both reported few symptoms and chronic health problems and had comparable demographic data, including rate of employment and income. The mean total numbers of lymphocytes, OKT3 and OKT4 (helper) and OKT8 (suppressor) cells were significantly higher in the Haitians than in the controls, though still within normal limits. There was a borderline elevation of the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin in the Haitians. The ratios of helper to suppressor T cells in the two groups were, however, not significantly different. The Haitians, in comparison with non-Haitians living in the same community, had no demonstrable abnormalities of cellular immune function.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[The porphyria cutanea tarda group: their role among the enzyme defects of heme biosynthesis].

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common porphyria. In contrast to the other porphyrias, which are undisputably hereditary, PCT was long considered to be acquired. However, the recent demonstration of a defect in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase suggests that PCT is supported by a genetic factor. Though the hereditary or acquired nature of the enzymatic defect is still under debate, it seems that the disease has a polygenic origin involving an impairment of iron metabolism and a specific genetic background.

Carboxy-Lyases↗

[Staphylococcus, the most frequent agent of serious complications of acute sinusitis in children. 5 cases].

The high incidence of staphylococcal infection in severe forms of orbital cellulitis is reviewed with 4 case reports of children with complications of acute sinusitis due to staphylococcal infection. Three cases of thrombosis of the sinus cavernosus due to ethmoidal extension were observed, complicated in one case by fatal purulent meningitis. In one case, the sinusitis was a mixed staphylococcal and anerobic infection with orbital cellulitis and subcutaneous gas gangrene. No organism was isolated in the fifth child who had exophtalmos due to retroorbital cellulitis, but a rapid recovery was obtained with anti staphylococcal antibiotics after failure of inappropriate antibiotics. In conclusion, all periorbital cellulitis complicating sinusitis should be prescribed active anti staphylococcal antibiotics. In addition low dose anti coagulant therapy and prophylactic treatment against cerebral aedema are recommanded because of the risk of extension of the infection by thrombophlebitis of the sinus cavernosus and of intracranial propagation of the periorbital aedema.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of open heart surgery on the defense mechanisms against bacterial infections].

Extracorporeal circulation during open-heart surgery may damage cellular and humoral factors in the blood. Phagocytic functions of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes were investigated in 10 patients 1 day before, then 1 hour, 2, 4 and 10 days after open-heart surgery. Transient diminutions in the phagocytic capacity of polymorphs was found for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in one patient, and E. coli only in two patients up to the 4th postsurgical day. A positive correlation was found between the duration of extracorporeal circulation and the transient diminutions in phagocytic capacity for these three patients. However, the bactericidal capacity of polymorphs and their capacity to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium were normal in all patients. The serum concentrations of total hemolytic complement, C3, IgG and IgM were generally diminished up to the 4th day after surgery, but the opsonic power of the serum was almost normal in all the patients.

Adult↗

HIV: the debate over isolation as a measure of personal control.

In the biomedical ethical debates over HIV/AIDS, the issue of personal control measures, including isolation and detention, should be addressed critically. Taking account of historical experience with epidemics and current legislation, several major policy options are identified, each of which has drawbacks. A sliding scale of personal control measures culminating in limited detention may offer a balance between private responsibility and public health to ensure responsible behaviour. Any measure of personal control must be linked to fully implemented, positive programmes in education and counselling within a coherent strategy for which there is no coercitive substitute.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗