Treatment of kala-azar in southern Sudan using a 17-day regimen of sodium stibogluconate combined with paromomycin: a retrospective comparison with 30-day sodium stibogluconate monotherapy

Médecins sans Frontières-Holland has treated > 67,000 patients with kala-azar (KA) in southern Sudan since 1989. In 2002, we replaced the standard regimen of 30 days of daily sodium stibogluconate (SSG) with a 17-day regimen of daily SSG combined with paromomycin (PM). We analyzed data for 4,263 primary KA patients treated between 2002 and 2005 in southern Sudan to determine the relative efficacy of the combination therapy regimen (PM/SSG). The initial cure rate among patients treated with PM/SSG was 97.0% compared with 92.4% among patients treated with SSG monotherapy. Relative efficacy of PM/SSG compared with SSG increased over the study period: odds of death in the PM/SSG group were 44% lower (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.37-0.84) in 2002, 78% lower (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10-0.50) in 2003, and 86% lower (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.07-0.27) in 2004-2005. In remote field settings, 17 days of SSG combined with PM gives better survival and initial cure rates than 30 days of SSG monotherapy.     

Analysis of surgical admissions to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (1984-1988) in Addis Ababa

Surgical problems in children result in significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis of all surgical patients admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH) over a five year period from 1984 to 1988 was made. There were a total of 2,281 surgical patients admitted, accounting for 22% of all hospital admissions (total = 10,364). The gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were the most common systems involved. Acute appendicitis accounted for 13.9% (N = 318), cleft-lip and palate 8% (N = 183), and burns 6.9% (N = 157) of all surgical admissions. Accidents and trauma accounted for 25% of the surgical admissions (N = 564). Of these, the most common conditions were burns, car accidents, accidental falls, and foreign body aspirations. The over all mortality rate was 4% (N = 98). Acute appendicitis, intussusception, acute laryngotracheobronchitis (ALTB), and burns were associated with a high mortality. Of the neonatal admissions, one third died shortly after surgery, probably due to anaesthetic, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Examination of the general pattern of surgical admissions revealed that many of the conditions were preventable, or amenable to medical therapy if detected early. Health education of the public is therefore necessary in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these conditions.     

Pattern of admissions to the medical intensive care unit of Addis Ababa University Teaching Hospital

A case-series study of all admissions using patient registers was carried out to analyse patterns of medical admissions into the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of the Addis Ababa University Teaching Hospital, and evaluate for any changes in that pattern over a study period. All patients admitted to the MICU of a 500-bed Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa between 1985-2000 were the study subjects. Demographic variables, specific categories of diagnoses and their outcomes were recorded A total of 3548 patients (male to female ratio of 1.4:1, mean age 37.10 +/- 17.29) were admitted from September 1985 to August 2000. Acute infectious and cardiovascular diseases accounted for half of the entire critical care admissions with infectious diseases accounting for 30%. Among specific diagnoses, diabetic ketoacidosis was the leading cause of admission followed by acute myocardial infarction and severe and complicated malaria, each accounting for 10.7, 9.8 and 9.3% of all admissions respectively. Trends of admissions over the sixteen-year period showed steady increase in relative frequency of acute complications of non-communicable diseases consisting of diabetes, acute myocardial infarction and stroke while infectious diseases showed interspersed peaks of admissions coinciding with epidemics. The overall mortality of the MICU was 32%, with proportionally more female deaths, 34.8 versus 29% (P = 0.0002). Severe and complicated malaria was the leading cause of death (10.3%) followed by tetanus (6.4%) and acute myocardial infarction (6.3%). The increase in relative and absolute frequency of acute complications of non-communicable diseases most probably heralds an emerging epidemic of non-communicable diseases related to life style changes in the urban well to do in addition to existing problems of infectious diseases of poverty.     

Disclosure History Among Persons Initiating Antiretroviral Treatment at Six HIV Clinics in Oromia,Ethiopia, 2012–2013

HIV status disclosure can help patients obtain support which may influence treatment adherence and subsequent healthcare needs. We examined the extent of disclosure and correlates of non-disclosure among 1180 adults newly initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART). While 91 % of those in a relationship shared their status with their partners, 14 % of the overall sample had not disclosed to anyone. Non-disclosure was positively associated with older age; control over household resources; and concerns about unintended disclosure, life disruptions, and family reactions. Knowing other HIV-positive people and longer time since diagnosis were associated with lower odds of non-disclosure. Most respondents reporting disclosure experienced supportive responses, frequently including decision to get an HIV test by confidants who had not known their own status. Although HIV status disclosure prior to ART initiation was high, some individuals cited concerns about unintended disclosure, gossip, and partner violence, and may benefit from additional disclosure support.