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[Clinical aspects of AIDS at the Calmette hospital in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia A report on 356 patients hospitalized in the Medicine "B" Department of the Calmette Hospital].

A study on AIDS subjects carried out at the Calmette Hospital in Phnom-Penh between the 1st January 97 and the 30th December 98. The objective of this study was to describe the most frequent clinical manifestations as well as the opportunistic infections according to the 1993 CDC classification (purely clinical classification). Three hundred and fifty six AIDS patients hospitalized in medicine B were included in our study. A complete file was prepared for each subject, specifying his/her social and family situation, profession, sexual behavior and history. The clinical condition was specified and the paraclinical examinations were recorded. The average age was 35 years with 250 men and 106 women, i.e. a M/F sex ratio of 2.4. The majority of male contaminations were due to sexual relationships with multiple partners, 82%, and women with a single partner was of 78%. The use of condoms was of 60% (versus 40% occasional); the extent of drug-addiction was 1.12% (4 cases). A history of STD was found in 56% of cases. The presenting symptoms most frequently found were asthenia, anorexia, fever and weight-loss. In decreasing order, the clinical manifestations often associated were: weight-loss > 10% or a catechetic condition 58.70% (209/356), fever > 38 degrees C >1 month 53% (189/356), diarrhea (> one month) 41.60% (148/356). The most frequent opportunistic infections were: oral candidiasis 51.40% (183/356) and 40% are oro-oesophageal (oral candidiasis + dysphagia or odynphagia), pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculoses (TB) 43.50% (155/356) (pulmonary TB in 65.16%, TB of the lymph nodes 23.22% and disseminated TB and cerebral TB 11.61%), cryptococcal meningitis 11.80% (42/356) and pneumocystosis 6.50% (23/356), CMV retinitis 1.12% (4/356). The other opportunistic manifestations such as toxoplasmosis and Kaposis sarcoma are much more rarely encountered due to the difficulties of the paraclinical diagnosis. The mortality in the department was of 17.40% (62/356). In conclusions, tuberculosis is the most frequent of the opportunistic infections in Cambodia. Cryptococcal meningitis is in 3rd place for opportunistic infections. It is the first diagnosis that should be evoked in a meningeal irritation.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

HIV prevention for indigenous people of the Amazon basin.

This study identifies theoretically-based predictors of condom use in a sample of 251 sexually active adults recruited from Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira and six indigneous communities of the Upper Rio Negro region of Amazonas Brazil. The information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model of AIDS-preventive behavior was used to describe the roles of HIV/AIDS knowledge, experiences with and attitudes toward condom use, peer influences, perceived vulnerability, monogamy and behavioral skills. A predictive path analytic model revealed significant predictors of more condom use including male gender, greater sexual HIV knowledge, positive experiences and attitudes about condom use, multiple partners, and greater behavioral skills. Results suggest that attention to behavioral skills for negotiating safer sex and instruction in the correct use of condoms are important elements in reducing high risk behaviors. Increasing the specific knowledge level of indigenous people regarding the complexities of sexual transmission of HIV is crucial and should be addressed. Heightening individuals' understanding of the limited protection of serial monogamy, and the need to conduct gender-specific training for behavior change to reduce transmission of HIV should be an additional goal of Brazilian health professionals. Obstacles to the implementation of the IMB HIV prevention program in Amazonas are noted and an alternative Brazilian HIV/AIDS prevention program is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Sustaining the edge: factors influencing strategy selection in academic health centers.

Competition within the acute care sector as well as increased penetration by managed care organizations has influenced the structure and role of academic health centers during the past decade. The market factors confronting academic health centers are not dissimilar from conditions that confront other organizations competing in mature industries characterized by declining profitability and intense rivalry for market share. When confronted with intense competition or adverse external events, organizations in other industries have responded to potential threats by forming alliances, developing joint ventures, or merging with another firm to maintain their competitive advantage. Although mergers and acquisitions dominated the strategic landscape in the healthcare industry during the past decade, recent evidence suggests that other types of strategic ventures may offer similar economic and contracting benefits to member organizations. Academic health centers have traditionally been involved in network relationships with multiple partners via their shared technology, collaborative research, and joint educational endeavors. These quasi-organizational relationships appear to have provided a framework for strategic decisions and allowed executives of academic health centers to select strategies that were competitive yet closely aligned with their organizational mission. The analysis of factors that influenced strategy selection by executives of academic health centers suggests a deliberate and methodical approach to achieving market share objectives, expanding managed care contracts, and developing physician networks.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Correlates of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and preventive behavior of men in Africa.

Using the 1998/99 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey dataset, this article examines the behavior of men who think they are at risk for HIV/AIDS and those who indicate they have no AIDS risks. Using a theoretical framework that borrows from rationale choice theory and individual-level characteristics, the article explores the links between AIDS risks status and changes in preventive behavior. The results show high levels of AIDS-related knowledge among men in Ghana. In addition, the majority of the men indicated that they had changed their behavior in response to AIDS although they were more likely to cite the avoidance of multiple partners rather than the use of condoms in their sexual encounters. In the logistic regression models, education, marital status, and religion emerged as important predictors of changes in behavior. The fact that few men used condoms as an HIV/AIDS preventive method raises a number of policy issues, the implications of which are discussed in this article.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Triple jeopardy: targeting older men of color who have sex with men.

This article presents selected findings from a needs assessment conducted for a community-based organization in Chicago that targeted black and Latino men 50 years and older who have sex with men (MSM). A convenience sample of 110 self-identified minority MSM was recruited through agency sources and administered a 73-question survey. Most men surveyed (>90%) reported sex with other men, with 20% reporting unprotected receptive anal sex and most reporting drug use in conjunction with sex. The data showed varying sexual self-identification, with 45% identified as either bisexual or mostly or completely straight and a substantial proportion (36%) reporting sexual activity with women. A large percentage disclosed being relatively secretive about their same-sex behaviors to others, however, and ranked homosexual-related and HIV-related stigma high. Most men (74%) perceived themselves to be at minimal risk for contracting HIV infection, and 50% ranked their level of worry about contracting HIV infection as low. Noteworthy among the findings were the linked variables of age and race, revealing that older minority MSM may be at elevated risk because they are sexually active, often have multiple partners, and include drug use as part of their sexual episodes. Race and age also may play an important role in determining patterns of sexual identity formation, whether older minority MSM disclose same-sex practices to others or perceive gay-related or HIV-related stigmatization. Implications of these data for interventions targeting older minority MSM suggest the need for culturally sensitive and specific dissemination of basic HIV prevention information and promotion of HIV testing.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[116 ectopic pregnancies observed in Bangui (Central African Republic)].

Although ectopic pregnancy continues to endanger the life of patients in the Central African Republic, data on this pathology is drastically missing. This study is the result of an observation carried out over a period of 1 year taking all ectopic pregnancy cases into account with a view to identify the risk factors of this pathology and to draw the epidemiological profile of the patients concerned. Controls were used for the identification of the risk factors. The frequency of ectopic pregnancies was of 1 case against 61.8 deliveries. Ectopic pregnancies were more frequent among young women, with a peak in the 20-29 age group. Gonococcus infections and multiple partners were found to be correlated with the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies. If paraclinical tests had helped establish the diagnosis, the presence of clinical symptoms was decisive, thus explaining late diagnosis with tubal rupture followed by an hemorrhage. Those patients who were attended at an advanced stage had to undergo tubal resection, a treatment jeopardizing their obstetrical future. Clearly, African practitioners must imperatively learn to identify the clinical symptoms of this pathology.

Adult↗

Epidemiology of cervical cancer--overview.

Numerous studies of the epidemiology of cervical cancer have shown strong associations with religious, marital and sexual patterns. Although it is well established that women with multiple partners and early ages at first intercourse are at high risk, less is known about how these factors interact or how risk is affected by specific sexual characteristics. Recent studies indicate that number of steady partners and frequent intercourse at early ages may further enhance risk, supporting hypotheses regarding a vulnerable period of the cervix and a need for repeated exposure to an infectious agent. It is now widely accepted that HPV is the major infectious etiological agent, but whether other infectious agents play supportive or interactive roles is unclear. Of specific interest is the independent effect of HSV 2 on risk, especially given some evidence that this viral agent may interact with HPV. Other speculative risk factors for cervical cancer include cigarette smoking, oral contraceptive usage and certain nutritional deficiencies, but again it is not clear whether these factors operate independently from HPV. Although cervical cancer incidence trends correlate with the population prevalence of various venereally transmitted agents, it is not certain how disease rates are affected by other potential risk factors which have changed during recent time (e.g., exposure to HPV, sexual behaviour, cigarette smoking). In addition, a number of recent studies highlight the need for considering not only female influences on risk of cervical cancer, but also male factors, since the sexual behaviour of the male consort appears to play an important role.

Europe↗

Teenagers' knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and associated risk behaviors.

Adolescents are now recognized as being at high risk for contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the presumed cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This article reports the findings of a survey that examined AIDS knowledge, risk behaviors, and informational sources for AIDS in a group of suburban New Jersey high school students (N = 152). This group had knowledge of HIV and its transmission, but results indicated that students also participated in behaviors considered "risky" for the transmission of HIV. These behaviors included unprotected sexual intercourse (40% of sexually active males) and sexual intercourse with multiple partners over a period of time (23% of sexually active males).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

HIV: knowledge and sexual practices amongst students of a school of communnity health in Lagos, Nigeria.

A cross sectional study was conducted amongst students of a school of health technology in Yaba. Lagos. Nigeria to determine their knowledge about HIV/AIDS and their sexual practices. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Two hundred and thirty-six students out of 250 participated in the study (94% response rate). The mean age was 24.7+5.2 years, 167 (71%) respondents were females while 69 (29%) were males. One hundred and seventy-seven (75%) students were single and 59 (25%) were married. Knowledge on HIV was graded using twenty-nine items on the questionnaire, each scored one mark. A maximum score of 29 was obtainable and respondents with scores greater than 50% were classified as having a satisfactory level of knowledge. Ninety-nine percent had heard about HIV/AIDS through several sources. Knowledge of symptoms, methods of transmission and prevention were generally satisfactory. One hundred and seventy one (72%) students were sexually active, 48% engaged in casual sex and 9% had multiple partners. Of the 171 who were in sexual relationship with a primary partner, 49 (29%) used condoms all the time. One hundred and fourteen (48%) admitted to having casual sex but 60 (53%) used condoms all the time during casual sex. Partner and personal dislike as well as reduction in sexual pleasure were reasons for non-use of condoms. A significantly higher proportion of students in the higher classes (74/94, 79%) possessed a higher level of knowledge than those in the lower class (78/142, 55%, p=0.0003). One hundred and fifty-two (64%) students possessed a satisfactory level of knowledge on the subject, but many engaged in risky behaviour.

Adult↗

Cervical cancer in the asian pacific-epidemiology, screening and treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix continues to be a major problem in many areas of the Asian-Pacific, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and Papua New Guinea, and to a lesser extent in South-East Asia, Korea and Mongolia. In contrast, levels in the developed countries of the region are low, as is also the case for the Muslim countries of Western Asia, and mainland China. Incidence generally mirrora associated mortality, although with some exceptions reflecting facilities and infrastructure for early detection. Over the last 25 years there has been a marked decrease in incidence rates across most of the Asian Pacific, although less pronounced in India than elsewhere, and there are exceptions where the incidence is on the increase. The predominant risk factor is well established to be persistent infection with a high risk 'oncogenic' type of human papilloma virus (HPV), along with multiple partners, other sexually transmitted diseases and smoking. Consumption of vegetables, in contrast, appears to be protective. Hormonal factors may also play some role. Modifying factors may either impact on neoplasia by directly influencing the processes underlying carcinogenesis, or indirectly by affecting persistence of viral infections. For primary prevention, avoidance of repeated infections and smoking, as well as a high antioxidant intake may be beneficial. Vaccines against HPV also have promise for the future, but a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying spontaneous clearance of both infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) of different grades is also essential for optimal intervention. For screening, the choice of whether the PAP smear, HPV testing or some form of visual inspection are utilized depends on the resources which are available, all approaches having their own advantages and disadvantages, but with similar sensitivity and specificity. One complication is the increase in adenocarcinoma of the cervix which has been reported in some countries, for which risk factors and most effective screening may differ from the SCC case. A focus on high risk groups like sex workers might be warranted where financial and technical support are limited. If cervical intraepithelial neoplasias are detected then cryotherapy or the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) are effective for their removal. Control of cancer of the cervix, however, demands that a comprehensive approach to screening and management is adopted, necessitating major training of personnel and provision of appropriate resources.

Asia↗

Patterns of HIV risk and preventive behaviors among teenage men.

Analyses of the 1988 National Survey of Adolescent Males indicate the prevalence of risk behaviors related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, including sexual, contraceptive, and drug use behaviors, among 15- to 19-year-old men. About three-fifths had sexual intercourse, indicating that a majority of teenage men have at least some potential exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted disease. From a behavioral perspective, the average sexually active teenage man used a condom more than half the time in the 12 months before the interview. Those with most experience with sexual intercourse, however, used condoms least frequently. More important from an epidemiologic perspective, a third of all acts of intercourse in the prior year were protected using condoms. Further, behaviors with the greatest direct risks for HIV infection, such as homosexual intercourse, use of intravenous drugs, and sex with intravenous drug users or prostitutes, appear to be relatively uncommon. Teenage men who demonstrate high-risk behavior, including both sexual and substance abuse, compound their risks, because risks generally are correlated. Condom use is a preventive behavior that is negatively correlated with most risk behaviors; those who have multiple partners, or who are substance abusers, tend to use condoms least. The convergence of risks for multi-problem teenage men indicates the relevance of interventions directed to high-risk youths.

Adolescent↗

GAVI and the Vaccine Fund--a boon for immunization in the developing world.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and The Vaccine Fund are two major global initiatives adopted with the objectives of improving access to immunization services particularly in the underdeveloped and developing countries and introduction of new but under-used vaccines in the developing countries in particular where these diseases are highly prevalent. GAVI is a collaborative mission that brings together governments in developing and industrialized countries, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, vaccine manufacturers and all other stake holders to harness the strengths and experiences of multiple partners in immunization. The Vaccine Fund is a financing mechanism established to mobilize resources to serve the mission of GAVI. This article reviews the objectives, strategies, organization and the funding issues of this global initiative. In the Indian perspective, GAVI is presently playing a major role in introduction of Hepatitis-B vaccine for infants in India. The article outlined the pilot project currently being implemented by GoI and the future prospects of integrating Hepatitis-B vaccine and auto disable syringes into the routine immunization program as well as strengthening the routine immunization services when the government decides to expand the project.

Child↗

HIV antibody testing in France: results of a national survey.

Data from a knowledge, attitudes, and behavior survey conducted at the end of 1988 suggest that 13% of the population in France, aged 16 to 50 years, had been tested for HIV antibodies. Geographical differences in testing were observed, with a greater number of respondents tested in the regions where AIDS is most prevalent. Important variations in the percentage of HIV antibody-tested persons were found in relation to age, education, and occupation, but not to gender. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors of HIV antibody testing. Behavioral predictors were multiple partners (odds ratio = 2.4), anal intercourse (odds ratio = 1.8), and drug use. A positive relationship was demonstrated between HIV testing and condom use. These correlations could indicate that the opportunity for anonymous and free testing encourages high-risk individuals to be tested.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

HIV risk behavior and practices among heroin addicts in Lahore, Pakistan.

While the numbers of reported and estimated cases of HIV are still relatively low in Pakistan, behavioral patterns that could lead to an HIV epidemic are reported to exist among injection drug users. Therefore, this cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of injection drug use and to assess the level of HIV knowledge and practices among male heroin addicts in Lahore, Pakistan. A total number of 660 male heroin addicts were recruited from 22 drug user sites in the city; data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Analysis revealed a poor knowledge of the disease, its modes of transmission and ways to limit transmission with only 30% of the respondents considering them at risk for acquiring the disease. A prevalence of 23.3% of injection drug use was noted. HIV risk injection practices included: group injecting (83.2%), sharing syringes (58.7%), and re-using used syringes (78%). Various risky sexual practices included multiple partners (24%), homosexuality (10.8%), sexual contacts with commercial sex workers (CSW) (20.8%), and with transvestites (3.3%). Condom use was low (11-50%). Of the subjects, 5.5% reported trading sex for drugs or money. We recommend HIV/STD prevention programs encompassing health education and health promotion strategies based on harm reduction techniques be used for drug users.

Adult↗

Working IT out in e-Science: experiences of requirements capture in a HealthGrid project.

This paper reports on our experiences of being involved in requirements capture for a HealthGrid project. Large scale, collaborative projects with multiple partners tend to experience numerous problems in the requirements capture phase (and often beyond) and HealthGrid projects are no exception. Projects with highly innovative objectives often have additional sets of problematics, however. In carving out new visions of, for example, clinical research and healthcare service delivery, HealthGrid projects have to reckon with--and work within--existing healthcare policy, legislative frameworks, professional cultures and organisational politics as well as the more common integration problem of dealing with legacy systems. Such factors are not conducive to the achievement in healthcare of the e-Science vision of seamless integration of information and collaborative working across administrative, professional and organisational boundaries. In this paper, we document some of the challenges we encountered in investigating the requirements for eDiaMoND, a flagship pilot UK e-Science project. We discuss what we might learn from these challenges, especially approaches to requirements capture that are appropriate for projects with innovative aims and are also sensitive to representing and addressing what may be complex professional and organisational interests.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Impact of the media on adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents in the United States are engaging in sexual activity at early ages and with multiple partners. The mass media have been shown to affect a broad range of adolescent health-related attitudes and behaviors including violence, eating disorders, and tobacco and alcohol use. One largely unexplored factor that may contribute to adolescents' sexual activity is their exposure to mass media. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine of what is and is not known on a scientific basis of the effects of mass media on adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors. Method. We performed an extensive, systematic review of the relevant biomedical and social science literature and other sources on the sexual content of various mass media, the exposure of adolescents to that media, the effects of that exposure on the adolescents' sexual attitudes and behaviors, and ways to mitigate those effects. Inclusion criteria were: published in 1983-2004, inclusive; published in English; peer-reviewed (for effects) or otherwise authoritative (for content and exposure); and a study population of American adolescents 11 to 19 years old or comparable groups in other postindustrial English-speaking countries. Excluded from the study were populations drawn from college students. RESULTS: Although television is subject to ongoing tracking of its sexual content, other media are terra incognita. Data regarding adolescent exposure to various media are, for the most part, severely dated. Few studies have examined the effects of mass media on adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors: only 12 of 2522 research-related documents (<1%) involving media and youth addressed effects, 10 of which were peer reviewed. None can serve as the grounding for evidence-based public policy. These studies are limited in their generalizability by their cross-sectional study designs, limited sampling designs, and small sample sizes. In addition, we do not know the long-term effectiveness of various social-cultural, technologic, and media approaches to minimizing that exposure (eg, V-Chips on television, Internet-filtering-software, parental supervision, rating systems) or minimizing the effects of that exposure (eg, media-literacy programs). CONCLUSIONS: Research needs to include development of well-specified and robust research measures and methodologies; ongoing national surveillance of the sexual content of media and the exposure of various demographic subgroups of adolescents to that content; and longitudinal studies of the effects of that exposure on the sexual decision-making, attitudes, and behaviors of those subgroups. Additional specific research foci involve the success of various types of controls in limiting exposure and the mitigative effects of, for example, parental influence and best-practice media-literacy programs.

Adolescent↗

Condom use in anal intercourse amongst people who identify as homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual.

AIMS: to study condom use amongst those who practice anal intercourse. METHODS: a sample of 814 clients attending anonymously for pretest counselling for HIV infection at the Burnett Clinic, Auckland, gave detailed information about their sexual behaviour. RESULTS: insertive or receptive anal intercourse was reported in 39% of clients. This included 89% among homosexual men, 78% among bisexual men, 17% among heterosexual men and 21% among heterosexual women. In those practising anal intercourse concomitant condom use was reported by 71% of homosexual men, 53% of bisexual men, 16% of heterosexual men and 7% of heterosexual women. Those most likely to use condoms were homosexual men, prostitutes, those with multiple partners and those with an HIV infected partner. Those least likely to use condoms were heterosexual men or women. CONCLUSIONS: whilst substantial changes in sexual practices appear to have been made in the homosexual community, heterosexuals practising anal intercourse have made few such changes. More explicit AIDS education may be necessary which acknowledges that anal intercourse is practised by heterosexuals and advises condom use accordingly.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗