Articles: disease.
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Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases globally. It has been estimated that there are 350 million chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers worldwide. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies geographically, from high (>8%), intermediate (2-7%) to low (<2%) prevalence. ⋯ Three main strategies have been approved to be effective in preventing HBV infection. They are behavior modification, passive immunoprophylaxis, and active immunization. The implement of mass HBV immunization program is recommended by the WHO since 1991, and has dramatically decreased the prevalence of HBV infection and HCC in many countries.
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Violence permeates all parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Since the onset of the Al-Aqsa Intifada on the September, 28, 2000, through October 31, 2003, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been injured and 2700 have been killed. ⋯ The children also suffer from significant mental health disorders, including 33% with acute levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, 49% with moderate levels and 15.6% low levels. In "hot" areas, 55% of the children have acute levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, 35% moderate levels, and 9% low levels.
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Anemia is common in acute critically ill patients. Although blood loss, either by trauma, surgery, phlebotomies or gastrointestinal bleeding, may play a role, the anemia in these patients bears many similarities to the anemia characteristic of chronic disease. Serum iron is low with a high concentration of ferritin and low-to-normal transferrin and serum transferrin receptor levels. ⋯ In individual situations, such as in cardiovascular and cancer patients, higher thresholds may be appropriate. The administration of rh-EPO is an alternative to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions and to avoid transfusion-related complications. Although its efficacy has been shown, questions regarding cost-benefit, dose regimen and clinical outcomes need to be answered before its large-scale use can be recommended.