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Biomedical subjects

H Zoffmann

Publications and source records attributed to H Zoffmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Sexual behaviour related to psycho-social factors in a population of Danish homosexual and bisexual men.

An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to (1) male members of the Danish Gay and Lesbian Association (2) through a gay magazine and (3) to readers of a gay pornographic magazine. For the purpose of this study sexual practices were classified into three categories taking into account the HIV-status of the respondent and his partner(s): safe sex (mutual masturbation, sex with condoms, sex without condoms between two HIV-positives), potentially safe sex (oral-genital sex without condoms irrespective of HIV-status, anal-genital sex without condoms between two HIV-negatives), unsafe sex (anal-genital sex without condoms between discordant partners or partners of unknown HIV status). Of the 2058 respondents 29.7% had had unsafe sex in the last 12 months. Multivariate analysis by recursive graphical models showed that sexual practice was directly related (that is conditionally dependent given the rest of the variables) to having a steady partner. Among men without a steady partner sexual practice was also directly related to age and number of partners showing an increase in unsafe sex with number of partners and a decrease with age. Thus of the men 16-19 years of age 43.5% had had unsafe sex irrespective of number of partners vs 5.7% of men older than 44 years and with one to two partners. Sexual practice was not directly related to any other demographic or psychosocial factor in the study. The adopted classification of sexual practice preclude that the high occurrence of unsafe sex could be explained by unsafe sex taking place among partners of concordant HIV status. The results emphasize the need for further preventive efforts to reduce transmission of HIV among homosexual men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Progress towards the global elimination of neonatal tetanus.

Neonatal tetanus (NT) can be effectively prevented through immunization and clean delivery practices. However, NT claimed the lives of over 433,000 infants in 1991. It is endemic in 90 countries throughout the world. Community-based neonatal tetanus mortality surveys helped to determine the true incidence of NT and revealed that, before immunization and clean delivery programmes were well established, approximately 1 million children contracted NT each year, of which 800,000 died. Mortality rates varied markedly by locale, ranging from 0 to 70 NT deaths per 1,000 live births. NT is still one of the most underreported notifiable diseases, and routine reporting systems identified only 4% of the NT cases estimated to have occurred in 1990. Based on WHO estimates, tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization and clean delivery practices prevented over 793,000 infant deaths in 1991. Of the 433,000 infants who died of NT that year, approximately 212,000 died in South-East Asia; 127,000 in Africa; 46,000 in the Western Pacific; 37,000 in the Eastern Mediterranean; and 1,300 in Europe. The Pan American Health Organization, using a separate methodology to estimate mortality, calculated that 10,500 newborns died of NT in the Region of the Americans. NT consistently clusters in geographical areas and population groups where shared practices or the environment enhance the risk of cord contamination. 80% of the newborns who died of NT in 1991 were born in South-East Asia or Africa. Of the 90 countries endemic for NT, 10% produce 80% of the world's NT deaths. NT also clusters at country level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed1991

[Whooping cough in Denmark among children under 1 year of age during 1980-1986].

On the basis of individual notifications, reports of cases verified by culture and letters of discharge or case reports of infants under one year with whooping cough during the period 1980-1986, the distribution of the disease is described together with vaccine efficacy and the presumed sources of infection for infants in this age group. The incidence of whooping cough in infants under one year is estimated to be approximately three cases per 1,000 per annum as compared with 150 per 1,000 at the beginning of this century and 60 per 1,000 in the nineteen fifties before routine vaccination was introduced in 1961. The first vaccination is calculated to provide a vaccine efficacy of 39%, after the second vaccination the vaccine efficacy rises to 86% and after the third vaccination the vaccine efficacy is about 98% during the remainder of the first year of life. Even although the times of vaccination were advanced in 1970, this has not reduced the frequency of whooping cough in infants as the vaccination programme has simultaneously been weakened because children are now vaccinated only three times with a weaker vaccine and the immunity is of briefer duration. The commonest sources of infection for infants are siblings. A lower infective risk is desirable and this could be obtained by vaccinating infants an extra time. Alterations in the system of notification in 1980 have resulted in increased under-notification of whooping cough in children under one year while, simultaneously, the notified cases have been described better.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Attitudes towards HIV infection and sexual risk behaviour. A survey among Danish men 16-55 years of age.

To describe attitudes towards HIV infection in relation to sexual risk behaviour and sociodemographic factors in a representative sample of Danish men 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by prepaid mail. The response rate was 55%, corresponding to 1,155 participants. In contrast to the official AIDS prevention strategy, 28% of the participants stated that HIV infected persons should be forbidden to have sexual relationships, and 44% that they should be registered by the authorities. 33% of the participants had had sexual behaviour which may be associated with increased risk of HIV infection: more than one female partner during the previous 12 months, sexual contact with prostitutes or sex with other men. Despite good basic knowledge of AIDS, only 41-59% of these men perceived themselves at risk, and only 47%-54% of men perceiving themselves at risk had adopted risk-reducing sexual behaviour. The results indicate a need for innovative health education of the general public about AIDS prevention at community and individual level. In the absence of effective treatment and without prospect of a vaccine in the near future the prevention of AIDS must focus on modifying behaviour associated with increased risk of HIV infection, in particular sexual behaviour.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

HIV testing in Denmark: a nominator-denominator study.

In order to describe prevalence and trends of HIV infection, demographic variables, risk factors, and reasons for seeking testing, and self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to approximately 75% of all individuals tested for antibodies to HIV on a voluntary basis, in all parts of the Danish health-care system, in November 1987 and in April 1988. The number of questionnaires returned was 2143 (55%). Overall, HIV prevalence was 1.2% and was highest among homosexual and bisexual men: 6% in November and 9% in April, with no statistical difference. Sixteen per cent of the men reported homosexual behaviour, 7% reported intravenous drug use, and 60% more than one opposite-sex partner within the last 12 months. No substantial difference was observed between reported risk factors in November and April. Overall, 18% had been tested at least once before; this figure rose to approximately 50% among homosexual men and intravenous drug abusers, a substantial number of whom had engaged in risk behaviour since the latest test. Sixty percent of men and 75% of women were tested at general practitioners', and 22% and 13% at sexually transmitted disease clinics; only 6% of men and 3% of women had used alternative test sites. It is concluded that studies of anti-HIV-tested people can give detailed information about patterns of HIV testing and indications of trends in HIV infection rates, thereby supplementing other forms of HIV surveillance.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

Occurrence of sexual behaviour related to the risk of HIV-infection. A survey among Danish men, 16-55 years of age.

To describe the occurrence of sexual behaviour involving increased risk of HIV-infection in a representative sample of Danish men, 16-55 years of age, a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed in connection with a personal health interview and returned by mail. The response rate was 55% corresponding to 1,155 participants. The sexual behaviour of 33% of the men was potentially risky, with a chance of HIV-infection. Homosexual experience was reported as 3% and sexual contact with female prostitutes as 14%. During the previous twelve months, 1% had had homosexual contact, 2% had had contact with prostitutes, and 22% had more than one female partner; most of these men had "one night stands" and used condoms infrequently. Consequently, a significant minority of the participants engaged in sexual behaviour which might facilitate the dissemination of HIV-infection. Although the prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals in Denmark is low, intense health education will be needed in order to prevent heterosexual spread of HIV in the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗