Socio-political aspects of the implantation of the Transplant Center of Piauí

A qualitative study aiming at understanding the socio-political aspects that mediate the implantation of the Transplant Center of Piauí, identify the social topics involved in this implantation and analyze the participation of the organized civil society. Ten people directly related to the implantation of the transplant center were involved in the study, selected through the "snowball" technique. A loosely structured interview, taped, transcribed and submitted for thematic analysis was used. It was concluded that the implantation of the transplant center in Piauí was the fruit of a complex series of negotiations and interests among the State and organized civil society, as there was no political project for action in the area of transplants. This distancing from the responsibility of the public sector characterizes the importance that was given to this implantation.     

Estimation of the prevalence of epilepsy in the Benin region of Zinvié using the capture-recapture method

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated in two villages of 3134 inhabitants, in Benin, in April and May 1997 using the capture-recapture method. METHODS: Information was obtained from (i) a door-to-door cross-sectional study, (ii) a non-medical source consisting of key informants (traditional practitioners, teachers, village leaders, and religious representatives) and (iii) a medical source through evaluation of medical records in health centres. In all the three situations, the diagnosis of epilepsy was confirmed by a neurologist. RESULTS: The door-to-door survey found 50 epileptics, i.e. a prevalence of 15.9 per 1000. The non-medical source found 26 patients. The medical source found only four patients. In total, 66 epileptics were found by combining the three sources, giving a prevalence of 21.1 per 1000. After application of the capture-recapture method, the estimated number of cases from the door-to-door survey and non-medical source was 105, and 110 cases when the medical source was considered as well. The respective prevalences were 33.5 per 1000, and 35.1 per 1000. CONCLUSIONS: The door-to-door survey has been usefully improved by using key informants. The epilepsy prevalence estimate found by capture-recapture is clearly higher than that found by traditional cross-sectional methods, and could better depict the frequency of epilepsy in Africa.     

The Effect of the Inclination of the Pelvic Brim and the Shape and Inclination of the Upper Sacrum on the Passage of the Head through the Upper Pelvis: (Section of Obstetrics and Gyn?cology)

Engagement of the Head does not depend only on the size and shape of the brim, but also on the angle of inclination of the brim. The methods of determining this inclination are considered and the angle between the plane of the brim and the front of the body of the 5th lumbar vertebra is found to furnish the best index of the inclination. Analysis of a series of cases shows that this angle varies considerably. Its postural range is demonstrated.When the inclination is high the head does not easily engage although the measurements may be normal, and a high inclination is one of the commonest causes of unexpected dystocia.Because these cases are usually selected for a “trial of labour”, criteria are necessary to select the cases suitable. Success or failure of trial labour in these cases depends on the amount of room in the upper pelvis. A part from the actual size of the true conjugate the amount of room is shown to depend both on the sacral inclination, a method of measuring which is described, and the shape of the upper sacrum, which shows considerable vriation. A common type of pelvis causing dystocia is one in which the inclination of the brim is high and the upper sacrum is relatively vertical and convex. Pelves of this type do not always fit into any of the standard classifications.The uses and limitations of postural treatment of these cases are discussed.