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F Dubois-Arber

Publications and source records attributed to F Dubois-Arber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

The occurrence of percutaneous injuries to health care workers: a cross sectional survey in seven Swiss hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: In 1995, a cross sectional survey was conducted in 7 Swiss hospitals to estimate the incidence of percutaneous injuries among nurses, surgeons, anesthetists and domestic personnel, and to describe the circumstances of these injuries and the reporting process within the hospital. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed and filled out on-site in the case of nursing staff and domestic personnel, and was sent by post to physicians (anesthetists and surgeons). Participants were asked to report in detail on percutaneous injuries of the last workday and the last working month (nurses and physicians), and of the last month and the last year for domestic personnel. The overall response rate was 72%, representing a total of 3116 health care workers. RESULTS: The annual incidence rates of percutaneous injury with material contaminated with blood or other biological fluids were calculated by type of worker for the two available units of time. For nurses, the incidence was 0.49 and 2.23, for surgeons 4.28 and 11.05, for anesthetists 2.11 and 3.14, and for domestic personnel 0.11 and 0.17 respectively. Most of the injuries occurred in a "normal" situation (no emergency, no stress, no fatigue) and were described as avoidable. Compliance with universal precautions was not optimal and declaration rates within the hospital rather low (nurses 39.7%, physicians 3.4%, domestic personnel 87.9%). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous injuries with blood-contaminated material are frequent in health care workers, and are not always adequately assessed because of under-reporting of accidents within the hospital. This may result in underestimation of current occupational exposure of health care workers to HIV and other blood-borne viruses.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1998

Validity and reliability in reporting sexual partners and condom use in a Swiss population survey.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the validity and reliability of indicators of sexual behaviour and condom use in annual telephone surveys (n=2800) of the general population aged 17 to 45 for the evaluation of AIDS prevention in Switzerland. METHODS: A test-retest study with additional focused interviews was conducted on a subsample (n=138) of the respondents aged 17 to 22 years. RESULTS: The subsample included more French speaking respondents (OR: 1.7, CI: 1.1-2.5) and more people in a stable relationship (OR: 2.2, CI: 1.5-3-3) than the initial sample but did not differ in any other way, although no data is available on their attitudes towards sex. The reliability of the indicators considered was high: number of lifetime, casual sex partners in the last 6 months and condom use with them, acquisition of a new steady partner during the year and condom use with this partner, condom use at last intercourse. However, the focused interviews raised questions about the validity of some of these indicators, presumably due to imprecise wording of the questionnaire items. Among sexually active respondents, 12.5% (95% CI: 4.7-25.5) of the men included non-penetrative sex in the definition of 'sexual intercourse', but only 1.9% (95% CI: 0.1-10.3) of the women. The propensity for men of counting acts or partners with whom no penetration had taken place in the total reported sex acts or partners was not significantly associated with any socio-demographic variables. In addition, among the 15 respondents who had reported consistent condom use with casual sex partners at interview, 40% (95% CI: 16.3-67.7) admitted at reinterview that sometimes they also had unprotected sex. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of reports on sexual behaviour and condom use in this Swiss evaluation survey is good. The indicators derived from the annual surveys are robust measures and the monitoring of trends seems to be based on reliable measurement. However, more research is required on the validity of the data.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of the clientele of an anonymous HIV test centre and persons tested in the general population.

This study compares the clientele of a Swiss anonymous test centre with the general population tested. Information was obtained through similar questionnaires submitted to two samples of HIV-tested people aged from 17 to 45 years: the first administered in the context of a general population telephone survey (n = 245) and the second completed during face-to-face interviews of the clientele of an anonymous test centre (n = 250). The test centre sample has higher proportions of younger and single people. Attenders for anonymous testing were more likely to have acquired a new regular partner during the year preceding the interview (48.0% versus 14.4%). These differences remain when controlling for age and gender. Decision to test comes mostly from the respondent's own initiative, but suggestion from a doctor is more frequent in the general population (23.8% versus 0.8%), whereas suggestion from partner or friends is more frequent in the anonymous centre (44.4% versus 3.0%). The anonymous test centre clientele is not different from the general population tested except for the relational situation and origin of decision for testing. The test centre has become a place where the general population finds a response to a situation-specific need for HIV testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

HIV testing.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1998

[Characteristics of attenders of low threshold syringe-exchange centers providing sterile syringes in Switzerland].

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate Aids prevention in drug users attending low threshold centres providing sterile injection equipment in Switzerland, to identify the characteristics of these users, and to monitor the progress of indicators of drug-related harm. METHODS: This paper presents results from a cross-sectional survey carried out in 1994. RESULTS: The mean age of attenders was 28 years, and women represented 27% of the sample. 75% of attenders used a combination of hard drugs (heroin and cocaine). Mean duration of heroin consumption was 8 years, and of cocaine 7 years; 76% of attenders had a fixed abode, but only 34% had stable employment; 45% were being treated with methadone; 9% had shared their injection material in the last 6 months; 24% always used condoms in the case of a stable relationship, and 71% in casual relationships. In a cluster analysis constructed on the basis of multiple correspondence analysis, two distinct profiles of users emerge: highly marginalised users with a high level of consumption (21%); irregular users, better integrated socially, of which the majority are under methadone treatment (79%). CONCLUSION: Theses centres play a major role in Aids prevention. Nevertheless, efforts to improve the hygiene conditions of drug injection in Switzerland should be pursued and extended. At the same time, prevention of HIV sexual transmissions should be reinforced.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Increased condom use without other major changes in sexual behavior among the general population in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES: This study is part of a continuous evaluation of the Swiss AIDS prevention strategy from 1987 through 1994. METHODS: Annual telephone surveys of samples representative of the general population aged 17 through 45 years have been conducted since 1987 to monitor behavioral change. RESULTS: No major changes in level of sexual activity (lifetime number of partners, frequency of sexual encounters in the past week) or potential exposure to risk of HIV transmission (acquisition of a new steady partner during the year or of casual partners in the last 6 months) were observed. Systematic condom use with a new steady partner increased between 1988 and 1994, from 40% to 64% among 17- to 30-year-olds and from 57% to 72% among those aged 31 to 45. Systematic condom use with casual partners increased from 8% to 56% between 1987 and 1994 among 17- to 30-year-olds and from 22% to 42% between 1989 and 1994 among those aged 31 to 45. Condom use was higher among those with multiple partners. CONCLUSIONS: A general-population approach to AIDS prevention was able to achieve large-scale improvements in condom-based protection against HIV infection without inducing other major changes in sexual behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

[Secondary prevention of drug abuse: problems and examples].

Since 1992, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has been promoting an innovative approach of secondary drug use prevention. Our main purpose is to present this approach. For the FOPH, the objective of the measures in this field includes the development of concepts and means to detect, at an early stage, young people at risk, or whose drug consumption is recent or occasional, in order to help them. The basic principle of the strategy is to strengthen the protective role of the community network of the young people at risk. To illustrate this strategy, we briefly describe different projects supported by the FOPH; some of them are immediately launched on a national or regional scale, while others are innovative local or regional projects. Finally, we identify situations which are a priori more favourable to funding or support by the FOPH.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Monitoring of the activities of low-threshold access structures for drug users in Switzerland: distribution of sterile injection equipment, results for 1993 and various cantonal examples].

In Switzerland numerous structures distribute or sell sterile injecting equipment for i.v. drug users, low threshold centres (LTC's) being the major provider. A national survey of these centres was initiated by the UEPP in january 1993, in the context of the global evaluation of the new set of the federal measures to reduce the problems related to illegal drug use. This article concentrates mainly on the results of the monitoring activity of the LTC's, which in 1993 distributed 7.1 millions syringes. This important offer is not, however, uniform across the different regions of the country. Some examples of regional variations are presented, as are fluctuations of demand in many LTC's. The observed variations can be correlated with season (increased demand in summer), but also with the development of LTC's (opening /closing down of centre, change in the structure, opening hours, etc.) and with external events (policy, increased pressure from police, etc.). This type of monitoring is useful not only for researchers in the field of drug addiction and prevention of HIV/AIDS, but also for decision makers and actors in the field of public health. The recommendations based on the first three years of this monitoring suggest that efforts to prevent sexual transmission of HIV among i.v. drug users should be reinforced as well as measures to supply sterile injecting equipment and condoms at low threshold level must be continued and further developed.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1996

[AIDS prevention in homosexuals in Switzerland: adaptation to risks according to type of partner].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of AIDS prevention and modes of adaptation to risk among gay men. Swiss results are presented from an international study conducted in 8 European countries. METHOD: A self-administered questionnaire was published in gay magazines and distributed by gay organizations and clubs. 934 questionnaires were returned in Switzerland. RESULTS: More than 80% of the respondents report no risk behaviours in the last 12 months. Among all respondents three main modes of adaptation to risk were found: avoidance (no partner, no penetration), protection (condom use), non-use of condoms by stable couples (this assumes an agreement between partners). With casual partners 39% avoid penetration, 49% use condoms and 12% do not use them consistently. With stable partners penetration is more frequent; protection and non use of condoms are found with equal frequency. Nevertheless, 10% of those who report always using condoms say that they have been exposed to a risk, while a third of those who do not always use condoms admitted having taken such a risk. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention campaigns must continue and focus especially on factors linked to the non use of condoms in couples in stable relationships (poor communication, exaggerated trust).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Adolescent sexuality: the gender gap.

The aim of this paper is to determine gender differences as regards adolescent sexuality, in order to improve the adjustment of prevention programmes to boys' and girls' specific needs. Data were collected as part of the Swiss Multicentric Adolescent Survey on Health. Anonymous questionnaires were distributed in school classes among a national representative sample of about 9,300 adolescents (15 to 20 years old). About 45% of the total sample reported a previous sexual experience. Differences between boys and girls were identified by means of bivariate and multivariate analyses. A higher proportion of Swiss girls report intra-family discussions about sexuality, having had a previous sexual experience, having sexual intercourse regularly, having had only one partner, and using contraception regularly. A higher proportion of Swiss boys report positive attitudes towards condoms and using condoms regularly. Variables independently associated with the occurrence of first sexual intercourse before 15 years old also show gender differences, notably as regards health behaviours and social adjustment. The findings suggest that prevention programmes should emphasize, among boys, responsibility in contraception and the need for protection in situations of multipartnership, and among girls, a positive attitude towards condom use and an increased familiarity with condoms presented both in a perspective of contraception and prevention of STDs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Practice and needs of Swiss physicians in matters of prevention of HIV infection in their office--experience, reflections and recommendations].

General practitioners play an important role in HIV/AIDS prevention. They are expected to take patients' risk histories, to assess gaps in knowledge and preventive behaviours, and to practise individualised counselling. This article reviews research conducted between 1988 and 1994 on preventive activities of Swiss general practitioners. Proposals are made for improving pre- and post-graduate training, for sensitizing the audience, and concerning cost policy. Aimed at intensifying prevention efforts, these suggestions reflect the increasing recognition of counselling and patient education as key elements in prevention and treatment.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1995

Identifying adolescent drug users: results of a national survey on adolescent health in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the proportion and characteristics of adolescents who use illicit drugs and contrast them with adolescents who do not use such drugs in Switzerland. To facilitate the detection of adolescents with drug related difficulties. METHODS: We used data from a national survey on adolescent health in Switzerland (N = 9,273) conducted in 1992 and 1993. The survey is based on self-administered questionnaires among a representative sample of adolescents enrolled in schools and apprenticeship programs. We used exploratory analysis for identifying characteristics which set the drug user apart from non-users and performed confirmatory multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine which variables remain independently associated with heroin or cocaine use. RESULTS: In Switzerland, 3.1% of adolescents have taken heroin or cocaine at least once in their life, and 27.7% have already used cannabis. Analysis of lifestyles and health of adolescents show that young drug users present difficulties in integrating in society, have health problems and difficulties in relationships, situations which tend to be less common among other adolescents. Yet, they also display marked similarities, most notably in that over 70% had seen a physician in the past year. However, while 40% of the drug users expressed a need for help with drug related problems, only 6% had actually talked about them with a physician. Characteristics that remained independently associated with heroin and cocaine use after controlling for confounding factors were age, sex, nationality, type of education, feelings of suicide, past and present smoking, and use of cannabis. CONCLUSION: The level of illicit drug use among Swiss adolescents is high compared to other European countries but lower than the United States. Drug-using adolescents display a constellation of characteristics which should make it possible to identify them and offer help. Yet, even though they may have frequent contact with the health services, their drug problems are generally not recognized by the gatekeepers of the health services and no specific aid is available to them. Drug prevention must be intensified and medical doctors sensitized to the drug problems which adolescents may face.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Prevention of AIDS in drug addicts in Switzerland: an encouraging development].

Switzerland has adopted a prevention strategy including the promotion of non-sharing injection material and use of condoms. The access to sterile equipment has been made easier, but regional differences still exist. Studies conducted between 1989 and 1992 among drug users in different Swiss regions are reviewed in order to examine if progress in prevention occurred. Syringe sharing diminished everywhere, but rather high sharing rates persist where sterile material is less accessible. Condom use increased, but the situation is still unsatisfactory considering the high HIV prevalence among i.v. drug users. Where several surveys have been conducted consecutively, a stabilization of HIV prevalence was observed. This suggests a slowing down of the progression of the epidemic among drug users. These results, obtained in few years, are encouraging in the light of the pessimism which prevailed at the beginning of the epidemic about the ability of drug users to adopt preventive behaviour.

Condoms↗
PubMed1994

[Has the age of onset of sexual activity in youths changed in the time of AIDS? Literature review 1972-1992].

This article on the sexuality of adolescents (aged 16 to 20) presents results of a secondary analysis of Swiss studies completed on the subject between 1972 and 1992. The aim of the study was to follow up the evolution of three aspects of sexual behaviour since 1972 as a contribution to answering the following question: "What influence have the AIDS epidemic and the 'STOP-Aids' campaign had on the time of onset of sexual activity in young people?" Three aspects of sexual behaviour have been analyzed: 1. The proportion of young people who have already had sexual intercourse. This research shows that the percentage of sexually active 17-year-olds increased in the last 20 years for girls from 33% to 46% and for boys of the same age, from 23% to 51%. This increase took place before 1987. Since then, the proportion of sexually active young people of this age has not changed. 2. The number of life-time partners. In 1992, 28% of girls and 23% of boys aged 17 to 20 years had had more than 4 sexual partners. There had been no changes in these percentages since 1987. 3. The use of contraception. The use of contraception during the first sexual intercourse has become more frequent. In girls aged 16 to 20 years it rose from 47% in 1976 to 76% in 1992; in boys it increased from 50% in 1976 to 76% in 1992. For 17- to 20-year-olds, condom use with an occasional sexual partner rose from 16% in 1987 to 69% in 1992.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Assessing AIDS/HIV prevention: what do we know in Europe?

An EC concerted action on the assessment of AIDS/HIV prevention strategies was conducted between 1989 and 1992. The aim of this concerted action (CA) was to bring together researchers who are active in this assessment field, make an initial appraisal of the results of AIDS prevention efforts, in various population groups in Europe and develop an assessment methodology. Five areas of study were selected for the CA: the population as a whole ("general population"), men who have sexual relations with other men, intravenous drug users, migrant populations, monitoring of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to determine changes in behaviour. For each of these areas, a working group composed of the leading researchers in the field in Europe was constituted and commissioned by the project administration and coordination team to collate and analyse data on prevention efforts and their assessment in different countries of Europe. This review presents the main results from the groups responsible in each area in the concerted action. A number of general conclusions from the results of this concerted action are drawn.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Sexual behaviour of gay and bisexual men in eight European countries.

To compare the sexual behaviour and HIV risk reduction strategies of gay and bisexual men in Europe, a survey, disseminated via the gay press and gay associations, was conducted amongst gay and bisexual men in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands during the autumn and winter of 1991. By end March of 1992, 12,347 completed questionnaires had been obtained. A preliminary analysis shows striking similarities in patterns of sexual behaviour of gay men in the 8 European countries but indicates that strategies of risk management concerning HIV and AIDS vary widely. While the majority of gay men have multiple partners, and intercourse is more common with stable partners than with causal partners. The proportion of men who, during the past 12 months, engaged in unprotected anal intercourse with a partner with different or unknown HIV-status ranged from 1/3 in East Germany to 1/6 in UK. However, reported incidence over the past 12 months of STDs, other than HIV infection, was similar in all countries (2%-3%). The reported HIV antibody prevalence varied from less than 7% in East Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom to 15% in Denmark and 17% in France. HIV risk reduction strategies appear to be most common in those countries where the gay community had been included in targeted prevention campaigns during the early phase of the AIDS epidemic. Considering the high proportion of gay men engaging in high risk activities it is imperative that prevention efforts are sustained and improved.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗