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L Khodakevich

Publications and source records attributed to L Khodakevich.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine: its potential social and economic impact.

Present and immediately foreseeable medical knowledge suggest that HIV infection cannot be avoided by vaccination and that an affordable cure for the resulting syndrome, AIDS, is a long way off. There is a strong possibility that Ukraine is confronted by an HIV epidemic which will spread into the general population and that the most common mode of transmission will be through heterosexual intercourse. The epidemic in the Ukraine is currently concentrated among intravenous drug users. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 180,000 people may currently be infected. In present economic and social circumstances there are many features of Ukrainian society that may add to the probability of the epidemic becoming widespread in the general population. It is likely that this process may have already commenced. The result of this will be numerous additional deaths and illness over the short (5 year) (19,000-23,000 deaths), medium (10-15 year) (61,000-111,000), and longer terms (>20 year) (in excess of 40,000-160,000 deaths). The research reported here was undertaken in 1997-8 and describes the potential medium to long term social and economic impact of an HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine. Using the concepts of risk environment, susceptibility and vulnerability, it reports the problems which might be expected to develop in relation to care of excess orphans, the elderly, vulnerable households and regions as well as among those working in the "third sector", a social sector upon which exponents of the importance of developing sound "civil society" in "transitional economies" place heavy emphasis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in eastern Europe: recent patterns and trends and their implications for policy-making.

OBJECTIVE: To describe recent patterns and trends in the HIV epidemic in eastern Europe. METHODS: AIDS programme managers and epidemiologists of 23 countries were contacted and requested to provide national HIV surveillance data. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS/World Health Organisation country fact sheets were reviewed and analysed, and this information was supplemented with published HIV prevalence and sexually transmitted disease case reporting information, unpublished travel reports and expert evaluations. RESULTS: The cumulative number of HIV cases reported in the region increased more than fivefold between 1995 and 1997, from 9111 to 46573; Ukraine, Russia and Belarus accounted for about 90% of all new cases. Dramatic increases in the number of HIV-infected injecting drug users (IDU) were reported from these countries, and a similar pattern was emerging in Moldova, the Baltic States, the Caucasus and Kazakstan. In central Europe, the increase in the number of cases was much lower, and (with the exception of Poland) homosexual transmission was most common, whereas in the Balkan countries, cases due to heterosexual transmission were reported relatively more frequently. At the end of 1997, more than 50% of all cases region-wide had been reported from IDU. HIV prevalence data were inconclusive. The number of reported syphilis cases had risen significantly in the countries of the former Soviet Union. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that HIV must have been rapidly spreading among IDU in several countries of the former Soviet Union, whereas central and southeast Europe have so far escaped a more extensive spread of HIV. Factors that might have fuelled a massive spread among IDU include changes in drug demand and supply, migration and specific local drug production and consumption patterns. High rates of syphilis reported in the countries of the former Soviet Union highlight that subregion's increased vulnerability with regards to a further spread of the epidemic, via heterosexual intercourse, into the general population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Community based survey of STD/HIV infection among commercial sex-workers in Calcutta (India). Part-III: Clinical findings of sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

On physical examination of 418 sex workers, 202 (48.32 per cent) were found to have vaginal discharge, which was found to be most common among younger age class. Endocervical pus, genital ulcer, and swelling of inguinal lymph glands were observed in 13.16, 6.22 and 1.91 per cent of the sex workers respectively. Clinically 16.51, 15.31, 11.96 and 4.78 per cent were found to suffer from candidiasis, trichomoniasis, cervicitis and syphilis respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Community based survey of STD/HIV infection among commercial sex workers in Calcutta (India). Part-IV: Sexually transmitted diseases and related risk factors.

Community based survey on a sample of commercial sex workers in one red light area of Calcutta, was carried out to determine prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) including HIV infection and related risk factors. An alarmingly high prevalence of STDs (80.56 per cent) but low HIV-seropositivity (1.13 per cent) was observed. Candida albicans, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis were detected in 23.24, 13.24 and 11.11 per cent of genital specimens respectively. BY TPHA test 62.97 per cent of the sera were reactive for Treponema pallidum. Duration in the profession of sex workers was found to have an association with seropositivity for syphilis. Prevalence of HIV infection might be low at present, but conditions were highly favourable for rapid spread of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Community based survey of STD/HIV infection among commercial sexworkers in Calcutta (India). Part I. Some social features of commercial sexworkers.

A community based sample survey of sexually transmitted diseases and Human Immuno deficiency Virus infection was carried out among commercial sex workers of a red-light area in Calcutta. In this paper socio-demographic aspects of sex workers are discussed. For the survey, 450 sex workers were selected by random sampling method. Among the sex workers surveyed, 84.89 per cent were in the age group 15-29 years. Lowest age was 13 years and mean age was 23.12 years. Large number of sex workers were from Nepal (15.11 per cent) and Bangladesh (11.78 per cent). About 38 per cent were from three districts of West Bengal bordering Bangladesh. About 84.44 per cent of the sex workers were illiterate. Extreme poverty forced 49.10 per cent to choose this profession and family disturbances led 21.56 per cent to this profession. Almost all sex workers (448) had addiction, alcohol being taken regularly by 81.11 per cent. Number of clients of sex workers varied from 2 to 10, average being 3. About 67.33 per cent gave history of pregnancy, 46 per cent had abortion and 41.11 per cent had living children. About 27.11 per cent took precaution against pregnancy regularly. Use of oral pills was found to be the most common practice against pregnancy (13.65 per cent), followed by ligation (11.56 per cent). Only 1.11 per cent reported that their clients used condom regularly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Community based survey of STD/HIV infection among commercial sex-workers in Calcutta (India). Part II. Sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitude towards STD.

A community based sample survey of STD/HIV infections was carried out among 450 commercial sex workers, (CSW) of one red light area in Calcutta. In this paper, sexual practices of sex workers, their knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and practice of preventive and curative measures against STDs, is described. Vaginal intercourse was the usual sexual practice. But as many as 74.44 per cent also practised oral sex. About 82.67 per cent had the practice of washing external genitalia with antiseptic solution after sexual intercourse. About 69.11 per cent of sex workers were aware of sexually transmitted diseases and 30.67 per cent had knowledge about AIDS. About 70.22 per cent had symptoms related to genital tract during one year preceding the survey and 34 per cent of sex workers took medical treatment during last one month.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

AIDS-case surveillance.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Monkeypox virus: ecology and public health significance.

Recent investigations have revealed that monkeypox virus infections occur with a high prevalence in several species of squirrels belonging to the genus Funisciurus, less frequently in squirrels of the genus Heliosciurus, and rarely in forest-dwelling primates. These squirrels commonly inhabit the secondary forests around human settlements in the rural areas of Zaire, especially where oil palms are grown, and are rare in the primary rain forest.Human infection with monkeypox virus occurs most frequently in the 5-9-year-old age group, particularly in small villages where the children hunt and eat squirrels and other small mammals. As the populations are now increasing in number and can no longer feed on wild life alone for their animal protein requirements, the development of animal husbandry as a source of meat will certainly decrease the risk and the incidence of human monkeypox, even in areas where monkeypox virus is present in the local population of squirrels.Although population growth and economic development in western and central Africa will probably reduce the risk of human infection with monkeypox virus, visitors to these areas who are likely to come into contact with wild animals should be offered smallpox vaccination as a protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The role of squirrels in sustaining monkeypox virus transmission.

When the research on the ecology of monkeypox virus entered the latest stage in 1984, three groups of animals were considered priority candidates for maintenance of virus circulations in nature because of their relatively higher population density: terrestrial rodents, squirrels, and gregarious bats. Following the isolation of the virus from a wild squirrel in 1985 another survey was carried out in Bumba zone of Zaïre in January-February 1986, which included collection of animal samples, later on tested by WHO collaborating laboratories. No antibodies were found in 233 rodents tested. A high prevalence of monkeypox-specific antibodies (24.7%) found in 320 squirrels of Funisciurus anerythrus species suggested that these animals sustain virus transmission in the areas surrounding human settlements. A consistently high level of antibody prevalence found among squirrels Heliosciurus rufobrachium suggested that this species is also steadily involved in the transmission. The squirrels, the only mammals frequently infected by monkeypox in the areas of human activities, which are frequently trapped by the population, are obviously a major source of infection for human beings. Out of 39 primates collected during the survey from the primary forest, three were found seropositive for monkeypox. At the moment, however, it is difficult to say whether the primates play an important role in sustaining virus transmission in nature, or (like human beings) that they are an occasional host of the virus. Possibilities are discussed of monkeypox virus transmission being sustained by squirrels outside the areas of major human activities.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Monkeypox virus in relation to the ecological features surrounding human settlements in Bumba zone, Zaire.

Since monkeypox virus was discovered in animals in 1958 and in man in 1971, several efforts have been made to identify the reservoir of the virus in nature. In July 1985 a study on human environments and animals suspected to maintain virus transmission was carried out in northern Zaire. The study revealed three well demarcated areas: the human settlement area, the agricultural area and the primary tropical rain forest. The first two were found inhabited by terrestrial and arboreal rodents and bats, while the larger animals have abandoned them. Data on human morbidity collected in the preceding years suggested that most of the patients were infected either in the settlement or in the agricultural area. Isolation of the virus from a squirrel confirmed this suggestion and proved, on the other hand, that the virus could circulate in an area deprived of the larger wild animals, including primates. The virus isolation and results of serologic testing suggest that out of three groups of animals inhabiting the agricultural area, the squirrels Funisciurus anerythrus should be considered a priority candidate to sustain virus transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Human monkeypox: a newly emerged orthopoxvirus zoonosis in the tropical rain forests of Africa.

During the course of the recently concluded smallpox eradication program, a new human orthopoxvirus infection was discovered which is caused by monkeypox virus. The disease occurs sporadically in remote villages within tropical rain forests of West and Central Africa. The disease is rare; only 155 cases having been reported from 1970 to 1983. The symptoms and signs of human monkeypox resemble those of smallpox, differing significantly only in the occurrence of lymphadenopathy with human monkeypox disease. Of 155 cases, some 80% are believed to have resulted from infection from an as yet unknown animal reservoir; the rest occurred among unvaccinated close contacts among whom a secondary attack rate of 15% was observed. Although person-to-person spread appears to have occurred in some instances, few cases were observed in the third or fourth generation of transmission and none thereafter. Since 1982, the incidence of human monkeypox infections in Zaire has increased concomitant with an intensified surveillance program. Additional reasons which might explain the increased incidence are discussed. Further surveillance and research of this primarily zoonotic infection are warranted and are in progress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Monkey pox virus infection in humans in the Central African Republic].

A human monkeypox outbreak is reported which occurred in January 1984 in the extreme south-west areas of the Central African Republic. Six persons were found to be affected in a Pygmy camp with an estimated population of 50 residents. In the two affected families, out of 11 members, only unvaccinated children and a 22 year old unvaccinated woman contracted the disease. The disease was of moderate severity in two patients and very mild in the other four. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by virus isolation from skin lesions of 4 patients and by sero-immunologic tests in all of them. The clinically apparent monkeypox case reported in the Central African Republic in 1983, the presently described outbreak, as well as information on the disease obtained from Pygmies and missionary paramedical staff who are in frequent contact with them, suggest that monkeypox is enzootic in the tropical rain forest in the south-west areas of the Central African Republic.

Central African Republic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The UNAIDS strategy in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the countries of Eastern Europe].

Grounds for the necessity of the formation of effective approaches to the prevention of HIV epidemic with a view to counteract the rapid spread of infection in East European countries are presented. Attention is specially drawn to fact that the epidemic will not be limited by drug users, but will quickly cross the boundaries of this group. The development of preventive measures must be based on the use of the world experience. New effective approaches to work with vulnerable groups (the strategy of harm reduction, work in communities, consultations, etc.) must be widely used. The program of actions of the UNAIDS European Section, stipulating the strengthening and extension of the potential of the countries in the region for the effective counteraction to the epidemic, is formulated. As priority areas, activities covering vulnerable groups and with young people have been determined. The strategy of UNAIDS is realized through 20 UN theme groups on HIV/AIDS in the countries of Eastern Europe. Special attention is drawn to the creation of methodological networks. The creation of a unified strategic plan for counteraction the epidemic of HIV/AIDS is regarded by UNAIDS as its perspective for the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗