Articles: disease.
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether teenage girls who had been pregnant were more likely to engage in other risk or problem behaviors than girls who had had sexual intercourse without becoming pregnant. ⋯ Girls who had been pregnant also had engaged in other risk behaviors, including recent weapon carrying and cocaine use. A history of previous sexually transmitted diseases plus increasing numbers of partners add to the risk of pregnancy. Counseling and educational efforts should continue to identify teens at risk both to prevent pregnancy and to decrease associated risks.
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Third degree atrioventricular block is considered present when none of the atrial impulses are conducted to the ventricles because of a disruption in the conducting system. Third degree atrioventricular block is usually considered a serious sign but most studies have been performed on hospitalized patients or certain professional groups. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of third degree atrioventricular block in a representative population sample and estimate its prognostic significance. ⋯ The prevalence of third degree atrioventricular block in this general population was low but nevertheless considerably higher than previously reported. The block was temporary in the majority of subjects. All had some underlying heart disease which seemed to affect the prognosis more than the heart block. In this survey fewer subjects than expected were found to need a pacemaker.
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While many studies investigated the higher morbidity and mortality levels of indigenous Australians in the high-density indigenous areas in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia, few examined the situation in New South Wales, where more than 28% of the indigenous population lives. Admissions to acute public and private hospitals in New South Wales for 1989-1995 are used in the study reported here to examine indigenous health and its differential patterns by disease categories. ⋯ Age-standardised estimates for the indigenous population are provided. Age composition of admissions for each disease category and admissions by residential area are also estimated.
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Bull. World Health Organ. · Jan 1998
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialEfficacy and safety of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) for visceral leishmaniasis in endemic developing countries.
Reported are the results of a study to determine the efficacy and safety of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) for treating visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in several developing countries where the disease is endemic (Brazil, India, and Kenya). At each study site, sequential cohorts of 10 patients each were treated with AmBisome at a dose of 2 mg.kg-1.day-1 (2 MKD). The first cohort received regimen 1:2 MKD on days 1-6 and day 10 (total dose: 14 mg/kg). ⋯ In Brazil, regimen 1 was only partially curative: 5 of 13 patients (62%). Therefore, 15 patients were administered regimen 4 (2 MKD for 10 consecutive days; total dose, 20 mg/kg) and 13 patients were cured (83%). These results suggest that for the treatment of kala-azar the following doses of AmBisome should be administered: in India and Kenya, 2 mg/kg on days 1-4 and day 10; and in Brazil, 2 mg/kg on days 1-10.
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Bull. World Health Organ. · Jan 1998
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of oral cholera vaccine in a stable refugee population at risk for epidemic cholera and in a population with endemic cholera.
Recent large epidemics of cholera with high incidence and associated mortality among refugees have raised the question of whether oral cholera vaccines should be considered as an additional preventive measure in high-risk populations. The potential impact of oral cholera vaccines on populations prone to seasonal endemic cholera has also been questioned. This article reviews the potential cost-effectiveness of B-subunit, killed whole-cell (BS-WC) oral cholera vaccine in a stable refugee population and in a population with endemic cholera. ⋯ In a refugee population at risk for epidemic disease, the cost-effectiveness of vaccination is similar to that of providing safe drinking-water and sanitation alone, though less cost-effective than treatment alone or treatment combined with the provision of water and sanitation. The implications of these data for public health decision-makers and programme managers are discussed. There is a need for better information on the feasibility and costs of administering oral cholera vaccine in refugee populations and populations with endemic cholera.