Sexual Risk Intervention In Multiethnic Drug And Alcohol Users

An estimated 38.6 million persons globally are living with HIV, of whom over 1.1 million reside in Zambia. Of the 2 million cases in the US, 64% of new cases among women are among African Americans. Alcohol and drug use represents a significant risk factor for HIV transmission among both Zambians and African Americans. In addition, gender dynamics in both the US and Zambia promote transmission. This study examines two interventions targeting HIV risk behavior among HIV positive substance users, women in Miami, USA (the New Opportunities for Women (NOW) Project) and men in Lusaka, Zambia (the Partner Project). The study compares the efficacy of these two culturally tailored sexual behavior interventions provided in group and individual session formats. US and Zambian participants increased sexual barrier use and reduced substance-related sexual risk. Comparatively greater gains were made by higher risk Zambian males than US females in both group and individual conditions. Among lower risk participants, women in the group condition achieved and sustained the greatest comparative risk reductions. Results suggest that cost effective group HIV transmission risk reduction interventions for multiethnic individuals can be successfully implemented among both female and male drug and alcohol users in multinational settings.     

Postoperative Intravenous Drip Infusion is not Required after Minilaparotomy Cholecystectomy

Objective: To determine if drip infusion should be discontinued after full recovery of the patient from anaesthesia after minilaparotomy cholecystectomy in uncomplicated cases.Design: A randomised controlled clinical trial on 60 patients, from the waiting list, of cholelithiasis/cholecystitis operated by minilaparotomy cholecystectomy between November 1995 to March 1996. 30 patients did not receive postoperative IV drip infusion and in 30 patients 12–24 hours of standard drip transfusion was continued according to the current practice.Setting: Single Surgical Unit, SS Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.Main outcome measure: Recognition of clinical indication for continuation of. IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia.Results: In the cohorts of 30 patients each who were or were not given IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia following minilaparotomy cholecystectomy the observations on pulse rate, blood pressure, time to first voiding of urine and time to start first oral intake of fluids were identical. However postoperative urinary retention occured in 6 (20%) patients in whom the IV drip infusion was given.Conclusion: There is no clinical indication to continue IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia in patients operated for minilaparotomy cholecystectomy.     

T and B lymphocytes in patients with enteric fever.

Estimation of T and B lymphocytes was done in 50 patients of enteric fever, 50 duration matched non enteric fever patients and 50 normal healthy individuals. The difference in both early and late rosette forming T lymphocytes was found to be statistically significant in enteric versus non-enteric patients. Significant difference was also observed in enteric versus normal individuals in case of late rosette forming T lymphocytes.