Patient referral alone is not an effective strategy to capture partners of patients with sexually transmitted infections in low-resource settings: a case-control study

Aim

Partner notification (PN) is a key public health intervention aimed at preventing re-infection and controlling the spread of STIs. However, only limited research has been conducted to investigate factors associated with PN in Ethiopia.

Subject and methods

A nested case-control study was undertaken within a cohort of individuals being treated for STIs in public health facilities in Ethiopia. Hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to identify socio-demographic, behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with PN.

Results

A total of 250 patients on STI treatment who notified their partners (cases) were compared with 185 patients who did not notify their partners (controls). STI patients were less likely to notify their partner if they were single [AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: (0.15–0.73)], in a casual partnership [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.33, 95% CI: (0.15–73)], not knowledgeable about a partner’s sexual behavior [AOR = 0.43, 95% CI: (0.24–0.77)], had poor knowledge of risky sexual behavior [AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: (0.12–0.43)] and had no intention of notifying partners [AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: (0.10–0.36)]. The odds of PN were higher among highly educated respondents [AOR = 5.16; 95% CI: (1.83–14.54)].

Conclusion

Capturing STI cases through patient referral partner notification is less likely to be successful among patients who are single and in a casual relationship.

     

Type 2 alveolar epithelial cell-derived circulating extracellular vesicle-encapsulated surfactant protein C as a mediator of cardiac inflammation in COVID-19

Inflammation Research - Among the countless endeavours made at elucidating the pathogenesis of COVID-19, those aimed at the histopathological alterations of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT2)...     

Advanced abdominal pregnancy

Abdominal pregnancy is one form of extra uterine pregnancy. As maternal and/or fetal complications often occur early in pregnancy, advanced abdominal pregnancy with live fetus is a rare occurrence in clinical practice. In this case report we have presented a 28 years old primigravida who carried live abdominal pregnancy until term. The report describes this rare event emphasizing on current diagnostic and management options and challenges.     

Modern contraception use in Ethiopia: does involving husbands make a difference?

OBJECTIVES. This study was undertaken to determine the relative efficacy of home visitation with and without husband participation on the use of modern contraception in Ethiopia. METHODS. A randomized field trial of a family planning education intervention using home visitation with and without husband participation was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from August 1990 to December 1991 and included a 12-month postintervention follow-up. A total of 266 experimental and 261 control subjects were entered, of whom 91.7% and 88.9%, respectively, were followed through 12 months. RESULTS. A greater proportion of couples in the experimental group were practicing modern contraception at 2 months (25% vs 15%) and 12 months (33% vs 17%) following the home visit intervention. By 12 months following the home visits, experimental subjects were less likely to have defaulted and more likely to have started using modern contraception following an initial delay. CONCLUSIONS. The inclusion of husbands in family planning programs will result in relevant increases in the use of modern contraception. However, there exists an important "sleeper" effect to the education intervention, reflected by a delay of greater than 2 months in the initiation of modern contraception for most couples.     

Surface-grafted polyethylene glycol conformation impacts the transport of PEG-functionalized liposomes through a tumour extracellular matrix model

The effect of surface PEGylation on nanoparticle transport through an extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important determinant for tumor targeting success. Fluorescent stealth liposomes (base lipid DOPC) were prepared incorporating different proportions of PEG-grafted lipids (2.5, 5 and 10% of the total lipid content) for a series of PEG molecular weights (1000, 2000 and 5000 Da). The ECM was modelled using a collagen matrix. The kinetics of PEGylated liposome adhesion to and transport in collagen matrices were tracked using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and confocal microscopy, respectively. Generalized least square regressions were used to determine the temporal correlations between PEG molecular weight, surface density and conformation, and the liposome transport in a collagen hydrogel over 15 hours. PEG conformation determined the interaction of liposomes with the collagen hydrogel and their transport behaviour. Interestingly, liposomes with mushroom PEG conformation accumulated on the interface of the collagen hydrogel, creating a dense liposomal front with short diffusion distances into the hydrogels. On the other hand, liposomes with dense brush PEG conformation interacted to a lesser extent with the collagen hydrogel and diffused to longer distances. In conclusion, a better understanding of PEG surface coating as a modifier of transport in a model ECM matrix has resulted. This knowledge will improve design of future liposomal drug carrier systems.

The effect of surface PEGylation on nanoparticle transport through an extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important determinant for tumor targeting success.     

Human intestinal schistosomiasis in communities living near three rivers of jimma town, South Western ethiopia

Background

Schistosoma mansoni is one of the parasites with high public and medical importance in Ethiopia. However, information is scarce about S. mansoni epidemiology in people living with higher risk of infection in Jimma town. This study was designed to determine point prevalence, intensity and risk factors of S. mansoni infection among residents nearby three rivers of Jimma town and assess the rate of Biomphalaria species shading cercariae from January to April, 2007.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in communities residing nearby three rivers of Jimma town. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio- demographic and behavioral risk factors. After physical examination, stool samples were collected from 517 study participants and processed with Kato-Katz technique for microscopic examination and quantification of egg load. Snails were collected for identification of Biomphalaria species and then checked for cercarial shading.

Results

The prevalence of S. mansoni was 26.3 % with intensity ranging 24 to 936 eggs per gram of stool. Participants in the age group 10–19 years, OR = 2.19 (95% CI; 1.10 – 4.34), and those living near the Awetu River, OR = 2.67 (95% CI; 1.06 – 6.75), had higher risk of S. mansoni infection. Moreover, water contact while crossing a river, OR = 3.77 (95% CI; 1.79 – 7.95), and swimming, OR = 2.59 (95% CI; 1.37 – 4.91, was significantly associated with infection. Biomphalaria snails collected from Chore and Awetu Rivers shaded higher rate of cercariae compared with Kito River.

Conclusion

A moderate prevalence of S. mansoni infection was shown in the study population. Infection rate among the residents correlated with rate of cercarial shading Biomphalaria snails. Treatment of targeted groups, appropriate health education and environmental measures (e.g. snail control) are needed to improve the situation.