Social support and school outcomes of adolescents orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS living in South Western Uganda

The goal of this study is to examine the role of social support from multiple sources, including the extended family, caregivers, classmates, peers and teachers, in improving the school outcomes (grades and attendance) of children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda. Data for this study comes from a 4-year randomized control trial, called Suubi-Maka (Hope for families), conducted in the Southwestern part of Uganda from 2008 to 2012. Using multivariate regression modeling – controlling for several individual-level and school-level characteristics, we find that social support (perceived emotional and information support received from parents, classmates and teachers), caregiver’s acceptance and warmth, and family cohesion have positive effects on children’s school grades and attendance. This finding underscores the importance of strengthening relationships within the extended family and the school environment to serve as a net of strength that can influence not only family functioning but also vulnerable adolescents’ educational trajectories.     

Dapsone for thrombocytopenic purpura related to human immunodeficiency virus infection

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dapsone on platelet count in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related autoimmune thrombocytopenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenia received dapsone (50 to 125 mg/day) for 2 to 43 months. Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were not enrolled. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients, six developed platelet counts above 50 X 10(9)/L and did not require any other specific therapy. No significant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dapsone may be effective in some patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenia.     

Contraceptive intentions of survivors of severe acute maternal morbidity in Kaduna State,Nigeria

Objective: Intention to use modern contraception in women with severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) presents a window of opportunity to scale up postpartum family planning to prevent future complications. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the contraceptive intentions of women who survive SAMM in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria.

Methods: SAMM survivors aged 15–49 years were recruited after recovery and interviewed before discharge from hospital.

Results: Of the 330 women studied, 246 (74.5%) had wanted the index pregnancy. Although their knowledge of modern contraception was good (89.1%), only 44.5% had ever used modern contraception. The main reason given for not wanting to use modern contraception was that God should decide on the number of children. Injectables, pills, implants and male condoms were the commonest contraceptive methods used. Of the women who gave reasons for stopping these contraceptives, the main reasons in 61% were desire to conceive and fear of side effects. The majority (72.4%) of the women wished to have more children and 69.1% intended to use contraception in the future. The husband’s permission was needed by 78.2% of respondents before using contraception. The commonest reason given for not wanting to get pregnant again was to avoid complications (30.4%) and that family size had been completed (28.6%).

Conclusion: Male partner involvement and counselling to address religious views and fear of side effects are critical to the acceptance of postpartum family planning in SAMM survivors.     

对乙酰氨基酚溶液剂及其药物动力学研究

研制了对乙酰氨基酚溶液剂（５ｇ／０．１Ｌ），建立了高效液相色谱法（ＨＰＬＣ－ＵＶ）测定血药浓度。以Ｔｙｈｅｎｏｌ○Ｒ（ＭｃＮｅｉｌ，ＵＳＡ）混悬液为对照品，研究了自制对乙酰氨基酚溶液剂在８名健康志愿受试者体内的药物动力学。结果显示，对乙酰氨基酚溶液剂在人体内的动力学以二室线性模型描述为宜，其主要药物动力学参数分别为α＝０．６１５２ｈ－１，β＝０．１９２５ｈ－１，ｔ１２＝３．６２ｈ，Ｋａ＝３．８８６４ｈ－１，ＡＵＣ０→∞＝７７．２３ｈ·μｇ／ｍｌ，相对于Ｔｙｌｅｎｏｌ○Ｒ混悬剂的生物利用度为９８．８５％。     

Adrenalectomy in Older Americans has Increased Morbidity and Mortality: An Analysis of 6,416 Patients

Background  

The incidence of adrenal tumors increases with age. We examined the impact of older age (>60 years) on clinical and economic outcomes after adrenalectomy.