Articles: disease.
-
Genitourinary medicine · Apr 1994
Historical ArticleSexually transmitted diseases in the history of Uganda.
First noticed in Uganda in 1863 by a European explorer, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were cited as a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout this century. In 1908 the venereal diseases campaign was launched marking the real introduction of western medicine. By the mid-1920s, the campaign was combined with the medical service but throughout the colonial period (1901-1962) venereal diseases were considered intractable. A 1991 survey revealed alarming incidence rates and in light of the importance of STDs as a co-factor in the transmission of HIV, it is of paramount importance to implement more effective control measures.
-
Indian J Public Health · Apr 1994
Review Historical ArticleReview on development and community implementation of oral rehydration therapy.
The review of the current status and implementation of Oral Rehydration Therapy at the community level have been presented in this communication with special emphasis on its development, ORS access rate, ORS use rate and home available fluids. The global ORS supply has gone up an increased eleven folds since 1981. ⋯ However, the global ORS use rate was low (21%). The major constraints during ORT implementation which have been reported by several scientists are also discussed.
-
In 914 consecutive medical admissions to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the prevalence of infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus type I (HIV-I) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) was 12.6%. The prevalence in females was twice that found in males. The infection rate was maximum in the age group 25-29 years for females (45%) and 30-34 years for males (29%). ⋯ The cases with HIV-2 infection tended to be older than those with HIV-I infection. For detecting HIV seropositivity in our patients the World Health Organization recommended case definition for AIDS in Africa gave a sensitivity of 32%, a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 42%. The case definition gave the highest specificity and positive predictive values when cases of tuberculosis were not included in the analysis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Psychoeducational group approach: HIV risk reduction in drug users.
In two trials of a small-group AIDS prevention approach, 50 methadone maintenance patients and 98 heroin abusers in outpatient detoxification were randomly assigned to experimental or comparison conditions. Experimental condition subjects received a 6-hour, small-group intervention that aimed to improve their knowledge and attitudes about AIDS, skills in syringe sterilization and condom use, and changing high-risk needle use and sexual behaviors. ⋯ Although outpatient detoxification subjects displayed considerably more risk behaviors at study outset, the intervention's effect appeared to be more robust in methadone maintenance patients. The relative lack of impact on subjects' behaviors points out that more potent, sustained interventions need to be developed to slow the spread of HIV among injecting drug users.
-
Reports of the phase III clinical trials on four combined progestogen-estrogen once-a-month injectable contraceptives, Deladroxate, Cyclofem, Mesigyna and Chinese Injectable No. 1, are reviewed focussing on efficacy and reasons for discontinuation. Deladroxate, currently used in many Latin American countries has proved to be highly effective and well accepted. However, this combination was withdrawn by the original manufacturer because the progestogen component of this drug induced a high number of breast cancers in dogs and very curious pituitary hyperplasia in rats. ⋯ After doubling the dose in the first month of use, the efficacy was satisfactory. It was found that all monthly injectable contraceptives provided better cycle control than the every 3 months depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, although abnormal bleeding was still the main drug-related complaint and reason for discontinuation. Missed appointment is another reason for discontinuation which might reflect the problem of frequent injection schedule, thus indicating the need for proper selection of the users and good counselling.