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B Somaini

Publications and source records attributed to B Somaini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[The extent of transfusion-associated HIV infections in Switzerland until 1994: an updated estimate].

OBJECTIVE: The first report on transfusion-associated HIV infections was published in the USA in 1982. The first case reports in Switzerland were published in 1986. So far there has never been a methodologically sound answer to the question of how many persons were infected with HIV by receiving transfusions in Switzerland before the introduction of universal HIV blood donor screening. METHODS: The following available data sources were analyzed simultaneously: firstly, the results of the look-back study conducted in 1993, secondly, the reports of HIV infections and AIDS cases in the national surveillance system, and, thirdly, the claims for compensation for HIV-infected transfusion recipients and hemophiliacs. Two methodologically different and independent estimates were obtained. Firstly, the coverage of the look-back study was estimated, which made it possible to calculate the total number of documentable transfusion-associated HIV infections in Switzerland. Secondly, matching was performed on the cases in the look-back study and the reports in the national surveillance system. Applying formulas of capture-recapture designs provided a second estimate of the total number of documentable transfusion-associated HIV infections. The claims for compensation were used to corroborate the estimates obtained. RESULTS: The two methods produced almost identical figures which were corroborated by the number of claims for compensation. It is therefore estimated that 80 to 100 persons in Switzerland may have been diagnosed as having HIV infection because of transfusions in Switzerland in the years after 1980. The last five known infections occurred in 1986 (four) and, after termination of the look-back study, in 1994 (one). However, the estimate of 80 to 100 does not include individuals who were infected before 1986 and died soon--within weeks or a few months--after the transfusion without diagnosis of HIV infection being possible. CONCLUSION: This estimate of the total number of transfusion-associated HIV infections in Switzerland is approximately half earlier published ones. In addition, the present study will probably reduce the remaining uncertainties about the size of these iatrogenic HIV infections in the 1980s.

Blood Component Transfusion↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology and prevention of AIDS].

For ten years now the Aids epidemic has worried mankind. In the same time the virus has spread all over the world. Ever more people fall ill. 56,000 cases of Aids have been notified only in Europe until June 1991. Prognoses for the future are difficult to make, some areas will be strongly affected. The surveillance and epidemiology for HIV and Aids are to be expanded with reasonable means. Such knowledge will serve as basis for prevention, which in some areas and with certain groups has already shown a certain effectiveness in the last years. In Switzerland e.g., use of condoms in the age group of 17-30 with casual sexual contacts has increased from 7% (1986) to about 50% (1991). The number of sexually transmitted diseases has decreased. Solidarity is the basis for effective prevention programmes concerning Aids. Maturity of people concerning health has to be stimulated by means of information and education.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Completeness of AIDS reporting in Switzerland: a study based on deaths between December 1987 and June 1990.

OBJECTIVES: To assess completeness and determinants of reporting to the AIDS registry of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. DESIGN AND METHODS: Death certificates indicative of AIDS or HIV for deaths occurring between December 1987 and June 1990 were reviewed and compared with reports to the AIDS registry. RESULTS: The completeness of the AIDS registry was 68%. However, almost all cases have now been ascertained, because more than 90% of unreported AIDS cases are detected when death certificates are reviewed. Thus, the ongoing review of death certificates adds to the total case ascertainment. The most important determinant of reporting was the reporting source: specialized AIDS clinics reported 85% of their cases, while all other sources reported only 48%. CONCLUSION: The investigation of the heterogeneity of reporting is important. It can wrongly suggest regional and national differences in the epidemic and lead to a decrease in completeness of reporting over time without actual changes in reporting behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

[AIDS: epidemiology and prevention for clinical practice].

From the institution of an European statistic for the incidence of Aids onwards Switzerland has had the highest per capita rate. The marked increase of Aids victims in drug-addicts over the past years is also well established. An improved surveillance of HIV spread is mandatory for actual assessment of the epidemiologic situation. The long lag between HIV-infection and the manifestation of Aids impede counter measures. Prevention has thus to relay on three levels simultaneously: The 'Stop-Aids' crusade for the entire population, target group oriented activities and individual counseling. For the latter individual level physicians play the decisive role. The minimal goal for the physician should aim at the immediate prevention of HIV-infection in any of his patients. Good approaches to this directive are available.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media: report from International Primary Care Network.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The relation between a history of disorders suggestive of acute otitis media, symptoms, and findings of an examination of the tympanic membrane and doctors' certainty of diagnosis. Also, to examine differences in prescribing habits for acute otitis media among doctors from different countries. DESIGN: Questionnaires were completed by participating doctors for a maximum of 15 consecutive patients presenting with presumed acute otitis media. SETTING: General practices in Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, Israel, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. PATIENTS: 3660 Children divided into the three age groups 0-12 months, 13-30 months, and greater than or equal to 31 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: General practitioners' responses to questions on their diagnostic certainty and resolution of patients' symptoms after two months. RESULTS: The diagnostic certainty in patients aged 0-12 months was 58.0%. This increased to 66.0% in those aged 13-30 months and 73.3% in those aged greater than or equal to 31 months. In all age groups diagnostic certainty was positively associated with the finding of a tympanic membrane that was discharging pus or bulging. Redness of the membrane and pain were also associated with certainty in patients aged 13-30 months, and a history of decreased hearing or recent upper respiratory infection was positively associated in patients aged greater than or equal to 31 months. The proportion of patients prescribed antibiotics varied greatly among the countries, from 31.2% in The Netherlands to 98.2% in both Australia and New Zealand, as did the duration of treatment. Patients who did not take antibiotics had a higher rate of recovery than those who did; the rate of recovery did not differ between different types of antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors' certainty of diagnosis of acute otitis media was linked to patient's age. Improved criteria or techniques for diagnosing acute otitis media, especially in very young children, need to be developed. Antibiotic treatment did not improve the rate of recovery of patients in this study.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Medical examination of asylum seekers at entry].

It was the purpose of this analysis to summarize the salient findings made with the initial medical examination of asylum seekers in Switzerland. The evaluation covered the period from 1984 to 1987. The epidemiologic impact of diseases discovered by this screening and the logistic problems encountered with the decentralization of the program have required a modification and a reassessment of the necessary measures. As a consequence, indiscriminate stool examinations for bacteria and parasites have been abandoned. These examinations had required a considerable investment which is not considered to be justified by the limited epidemiologic significance of these intestinal pathogens. More emphasis is being placed on improved tuberculosis control measures, by providing concise guidelines for screening, prevention, and treatment. A simplified procedure for hepatitis B screening is to be maintained for the time being, conditional upon special emphasis on children, adolescents and adults of reproductive age groups. Hepatitis B vaccination of seronegative persons is a part of the standard basic immunization program. The core of the screening program and the delivery of initial preventive measures is to be carried out in the federal registration and transit centers for asylum seekers.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1990

Malaria chemoprophylaxis among European tourists in tropical Africa: use, adverse reactions, and efficacy.

In order to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria prophylaxis, as well as its side-effects and efficacy, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to European travellers on return flights from tropical Africa to Europe. Between 1985 and 1988 the questionnaire was completed by 44,472 passengers (80.1% of those on board) on 242 flights. A follow-up questionnaire was completed by 42,202 (94.9%) of the same travellers 3 months later. Almost all knew about the risk of malaria, but 10% relied solely on advice from nonmedical sources. While 55.6% had taken at least one measure against mosquito bites, only 4.5% adopted three such measures (used repellents and insecticides and wore long clothing after dusk). Compliance with chemoprophylaxis use was reported by 57.0% of travellers who spent less than 3 months in Africa, compared with 29.2% who stayed 3-12 months. Depending on the antimalaria regimen taken, 11-44% of the travellers experienced adverse effects, while four deaths were attributed to the chemoprophylaxis. The incidence of malaria per month of exposure for travellers who took no chemoprophylaxis was 15.2 per 1000 in East Africa and 24.2 per 1000 in West Africa. In East Africa, the prophylactic efficacy of the currently recommended antimalaria regimens (relative to that of no chemoprophylaxis) was zero for a chloroquine dosage of 300 mg base per week (4 malaria fatalities), 64.1% for a chloroquine dosage of 600 mg base per week (P = 0.03), and 94.0% for mefloquine (P = 0.003).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Mortality in influenza epidemics in Switzerland 1969-1985].

In Switzerland from 1969-1985, 9 out of 11 influenza epidemics were associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality. A total of 12,202 excess deaths from all causes was identified. Expected deaths were forecast for each epidemic period separately for 4 age groups using Fourier and Arima modeling. 75.7% of all-cause excess deaths occurred in age group 70 to 89 and 5.1% in age group 1-59. In the 70-89 years old group the excess mortality risk during influenza epidemics was 271.6 per 100,000, whereas in age group 1-59 it was only 1.7 per 100,000. Only 40% of all excess deaths had been ascribed to acute respiratory conditions. Influenza viruses A H3N2 were the most frequently identified agents. In some instances mortality increased before the morbidity reports of the Swiss practitioners indicated the occurrence of an epidemic. Also, morbidity reporting decreased over successive years. A decrease in mortality following the epidemics was not observed. A more complete vaccination of high risk patients in Switzerland is desirable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Malaria in Switzerland: 1982-1986].

There has been no decrease in the number of cases of malaria brought into Switzerland. 841 cases were reported to the Federal Office of Public Health between 1982 and 1986, a figure probably below the actual number of cases. Reports were received from all cantons and the majority involve Swiss travellers. 54% of the cases were due to P. falciparum and 90% of these could be traced to a stay in tropical or subtropical Africa, particularly Kenya, where it was possible to determine the attack rate and to compare it with the risk in Thailand. An enquiry into prophylaxis disclosed how slowly the latest recommendations on preventive measures against malaria are being adopted, and the importance of keeping a close watch on regions where resistance or multiresistance has developed. Systematic reporting is essential to control and also permits the recommendation of appropriate preventive measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

AIDS in central Europe.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[Epidemiology and prevention of AIDS in the population].

Routes of transmission of HIV which play an important role in the population are known. Sexual transmission, infection through needle sharing by i.v. drug addicts, accidental blood contacts and transmission from the infected pregnant mother to her child are seen. The number of new infections depends on the number of already infected individuals, the rapidity of spread and the spread potential. The infection can be rapidly spread among drug addicts, several drug users may be infected at the same time through needle sharing. In the general population the spread potential through sexual transmission is high. The AIDS prevention campaign in Switzerland aims at preventing new infections and at building up solidarity. With the STOP-AIDS campaign a broad effect in the population could be reached. The most important goals in the near future are to have an effect in depth in some target groups and to promote individual counselling.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[The role of registries in the surveillance of transmissible diseases].

Registries are among the oldest methods used in public health for epidemiological surveillance and decision making in the area of communicable diseases. Although other sources of data are now available in many developed countries, registries still provide important information. This article reviews the main aims and characteristics of modern registries, providing several examples of current epidemiological problems. Practical advantages and disadvantages of registries are also discussed, as well as some developmental perspectives in this area.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1987

Campaign against AIDS in Switzerland: evaluation of a nationwide educational programme.

The campaign against the spread of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Switzerland includes a nationwide educational programme. A booklet about AIDS was mailed to every Swiss household in March 1986, and in 1987 there has been a mass media campaign promoting the use of condoms. We evaluated the results of the first phase--the distribution of the booklet--using a separate sample pretest and post-test design. The pretest was carried out 15 days before the booklet was mailed (sample n = 1056) and the post-test two months after the booklet was mailed (n = 1278). Of the population aged 20-69, to whom the book was sent, 56% read the booklet. For those who read the booklet compared with those who did not the results showed an improvement in knowledge and a better understanding of the risks of specific behaviours and of exposed groups and thus less fear of becoming infected through daily activities. The mean indices of knowledge and beliefs were significantly different when tested by the Kruskal-Wallis method. Having better information does not imply that people will change their behaviour, but both the high reading rate and the increase in knowledge suggest that the Swiss educational programme reached its objectives. Moreover, the success of this campaign helps to support other campaigns that are being developed to promote the use of condoms.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of malaria prophylaxis in American and Swiss travelers to Kenya.

The protective effect of malaria chemoprophylaxis with either Fansidar (pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine) or chloroquine was estimated by determining the attack rates of Plasmodium falciparum infections acquired in Kenya and imported by U.S. and Swiss travelers who had used no chemoprophylaxis, who had used only chloroquine for prophylaxis, and who had used Fansidar weekly, either alone or in combination with chloroquine. The estimated attack rates were almost identical in U.S. and Swiss travelers. The attack rate per 100,000 travelers averaged 280 in those who did not use chemoprophylaxis, 162 in those who took 4-aminoquinolines (P greater than .05), and 27 in those who used Fansidar for prophylaxis (P less than .001). Non-immune travelers to Kenya have an appreciable risk of acquiring a P. falciparum infection and need to be informed of current guidelines for chemoprophylaxis. The changing drug susceptibility patterns in Africa require continuous evaluation of the efficacy of recommended drug regimens for malaria prophylaxis.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1986

[AIDS: an imported disease?].

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) has been known for 5 years. The first few cases in Switzerland were observed in persons infected outside the country, but this has changed in the last 2 years. The infectious agent is transmitted by sexual intercourse and by sharing of blood contaminated needles and syringes of drug addicts, two factors which are also responsible for most of the virus transmissions in Switzerland. From some African countries there are reports of a high transmission rate probably caused by prostitution.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗