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D L Heymann

Publications and source records attributed to D L Heymann.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Antenatal chloroquine chemoprophylaxis in Malawi: chloroquine resistance, compliance, protective efficacy and cost.

The roles of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine and compliance in the protective efficacy of the antenatal chloroquine prophylaxis programme in Malawi were evaluated by interviewing pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and examining them for P. falciparum parasites in thick smears and chloroquine metabolites in urine. 36% of 642 women had urine chloroquine metabolite levels compatible with regular compliance to the weekly chloroquine dosage schedule. Among a subgroup of 288 pregnant women who were provided weekly prophylaxis under supervision for 4 consecutive weeks, P. falciparum infection rates were 37%, representing the failure of chloroquine to eliminate P. falciparum in Malawi. Among pregnant women not taking prophylaxis, the P. falciparum infection rate was 48%. Based on the P. falciparum infection rates among these 2 groups of women, the protective efficacy of CQ chloroquine was estimated as 23%. If the 36% of pregnant women who had chloroquine in their urines accurately estimates the proportion of women who comply with the prophylaxis programme in Malawi, the actual protective efficacy of the programme would be 8%. The cost of preventing one P. falciparum infection among pregnant women in the Malawi programme is estimated at US$ 10.87. This is an unacceptably high cost in much of Africa, and research is required to define more cost-effective interventions, including more effective drugs, and health education programmes to improve compliance among pregnant women.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measles control in Yaounde: justification of a one dose, nine month minimum age vaccination policy in tropical Africa.

For tropical countries the World Health Organisation recommends a single dose of measles vaccine, administered at a minimum age of 9 months. In some African nations, however, up to 26% of all reported measles occurs before the age of 9 months, and many African nations have been reluctant to follow the WHO recommendation. In 1974 the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Cameroon made several changes in the existing measles control strategy, including increasing the minimum age for measles vaccination from 6 to 9 months. Surveillance of measles in Yaounde, the capital city, during the five years after the increase in age at vaccination did not reveal a need to return to the minimum age of 6 months. In fact, by 1979, with measles vaccination coverage among children 12-23 months of age at 40%, there had been a 44% decrease in reported measles among children of all ages, including a 64% decrease in the measles attack rate among children under the age of 9 months. These observations support the one dose, 9 month minimum age measles vaccination policy in tropical Africa.

Acute Disease↗
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House-to-house and school lameness surveys in Cameroon: a comparison of two methods for estimating the prevalence and annual incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis.

House-to-house and school lameness surveys were conducted in one urban and two rural regions of the United Republic of Cameroon. As in many other African nations, estimates of annual incidence by survey were significantly higher than those established by routine surveillance, and greater than 80% of all cases of paralysis were found to have occurred in children younger than 36 months of age. House-to-house surveys were more than six times more costly than school surveys and undoubtedly gave annual incidence rates closer to true rates. The value of the less costly school survey should not be overlooked, however, if base-line data are required at frequent intervals for use in the evaluation of control measures.

Cameroon↗
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Rumors of disease in the global village: outbreak verification.

Emerging infectious diseases and the growth of information technology have produced new demands and possibilities for disease surveillance and response. Increasing numbers of outbreak reports must be assessed rapidly so that control efforts can be initiated and unsubstantiated reports can be identified to protect countries from unnecessary economic damage. The World Health Organization has set up a process for timely outbreak verification to convert large amounts of data into accurate information for suitable action. We describe the context and processes of outbreak verification and information dissemination.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid sexually transmitted disease assessment in two developing countries.

Two rapid assessment studies of the magnitude of sexually transmitted disease (STD) were performed in Senegal and Uganda in 1989 and 1990. The study objectives were: to develop and validate STD indicators for the "rapid" assessment of the frequency of STD in populations; and to develop a standardized survey methodology to assess STD prevalence using these indicators. The World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), and Senegal and Ugandan government officials desired a product similar to the WHO/UNICEF immunization coverage survey instrument, which is an accepted and proven methodology, implemented by national programs and donors worldwide. Three indicators were used: 1) past or present signs of selected STD; 2) symptoms as noted by a clinician; and 3) simple laboratory tests performed and results obtained at examination. Each indicator was validated against a confirmatory laboratory test considered the gold standard in indicating the presence or absence of an STD. Male military members, women seeking prenatal care, and female prostitutes were the three population groups chosen. With the exception of the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test for syphilis, symptoms, signs, and simple laboratory tests failed to accurately predict STD in individuals in all three of these population groups. Indicators for the major STD other than syphilis among populations not seeking STD care will have to be the "gold standard laboratory tests" until easy-to-perform and low-cost alternatives are found.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗