Mano a Mano-Mujer: an effective HIV prevention intervention for Chilean women

The impact of a professionally facilitated peer group intervention for HIV prevention among 400 low-income Chilean women was examined using a quasiexperimental design. At 3 months postintervention, the intervention group had higher HIV-related knowledge, more positive attitudes toward people living with HIV, fewer perceived condom use barriers, greater self- efficacy, higher HIV reduction behavioral intentions, more communication with partners about safer sex, and decreased depression symptoms. They did not, however, have increased condom use or self-esteem. More attention to gender barriers is needed. This intervention offers a model for reducing HIV for women in Chile and other Latin American countries.     

Acceptability of coupling intermittent preventive treatment in infants with the expanded programme on immunization in three francophone countries in Africa

Objective Intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi) is a malaria control strategy currently recommended by WHO for implementation at scale in Africa, consisting of administration of sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine (SP) coupled with routine immunizations offered to children under 1 year. In this study, we analysed IPTi acceptability by communities and health staff. Methods Direct observation, in‐depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Benin, Madagascar and Senegal during IPTi pilot implementation. Villages were stratified by immunization coverage. Data were transcribed and analysed using NVivo7 software. Results Communities’ knowledge of malaria aetiology and diagnosis was good, although generally villagers did not seek treatment at health centres as their first choice. Perceptions and attitudes towards IPTi were very positive among communities and health workers. A misconception that SP was an antipyretic that prevents post‐vaccinal fever contributed to IPTi’s acceptability. No refusals or negative rumours related to IPTi coupling with immunizations were identified, and IPTi did not negatively influence attitudes towards other malaria control strategies. Healthcare decisions about children, normatively made by the father, are starting to shift to educated and financially independent mothers. Discussion Intermittent preventive treatment in infants is well accepted by providers and communities, showing a synergic acceptability when coupled with routine immunizations. However, a misconception that SP alleviates fever should be addressed when scaling up implementation.     

Normal values for single fiber EMG parameters of frontalis muscle in healthy subjects older than 70 years.

OBJECTIVE: Single fiber EMG (SFEMG) is a potent electrophysiological method to evaluate impaired neuromuscular transmission, and allows sensitive diagnosis of neuromuscular transmission abnormalities such as myasthenia gravis. The jitter and fiber density values are different for various muscles and age groups and the reference values increase with age. In this study, we evaluated the reference values of jitter and fiber density of frontalis muscle in healthy subjects older than 70 years. METHODS: We evaluated the jitter and fiber density of frontalis muscle in 32 healthy subjects. Twenty-two of them were between 70 and 79 years old (mean +/- SD, 73.9 +/- 1.7), and 10 of them were older than 80 years (mean +/- SD, 82.2 +/- 1.2). RESULTS: Normal limit of jitter (95% confidence limit) was calculated as 40.4 micros for healthy subjects between 70 and 79 years old and 43.7 micros for healthy subjects older than 80 years and normal limit of fiber density (95% confidence limit) were calculated as 1.90 for subjects between 70 and 79 years old and 2.14 for subjects older than 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: We designated the reference values of jitter and fiber density for frontalis muscle in healthy subjects older than 70 years. Our reference values may have value to diagnose neuromuscular transmission abnormalities in elderly patients. SIGNIFICANCE: SFEMG is sensitive for neuromuscular transmission abnormalities and it is important to know the reference values of frontalis muscle in healthy subjects older than 70 years.     

IFCC handbook on Master Program in clinical laboratory sciences.

This document summarizes the steps in development of a new IFCC Master Program and outlines some of the ways the IFCC would assist in setting up such a regional Program. This is intended to be of assistance to those who wish to embark on such an endeavour.     

Dental care for HIV-positive patients

This case-controlled study compared the types of routine dental services provided to an HIV-infected group with those provided to an HIV-negative cohort. No statistical differences in requesting dental treatment (routine or emergency) or in the types of dental treatment provided to the two groups were reported, except in the provision of prosthetic dentistry and the development of a comprehensive treatment plan.