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Successful Prevention (successful + prevention)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV infection in Pacific countries

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007
P. Rupali
Abstract Introduction: A generalized epidemic of HIV infection has been evolving in Papua New Guinea over the last decade, whereas in other Pacific Island countries and territories (PICT) HIV transmission has generally been less widespread. Programmes to detect HIV infection in pregnant women and to prevent mother to child transmission (MTCT) during either delivery or breast-feeding can decrease the incidence of infection in infants. The limited health infrastructure present in some PICT may delay the implementation of effective programmes to decrease MTCT of HIV. Methods: We used a standardized questionnaire to survey health-care providers in 22 PICT for information on the epidemiology of HIV infection and strategies used during 2004 to prevent MTCT of HIV infection in their country. We supplemented these survey responses with data obtained from regional organizations supporting national responses to HIV. Results: We obtained responses from 21 PICT. The reported prevalence of known HIV infection was >150 per 100 000 persons in Papua New Guinea, approximately 100 per 100 000 persons in French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia and Tuvalu and <50 per 100 000 persons in the remaining 14 PICT. Other than in Papua New Guinea, where an estimated 500 pregnant women had HIV infection diagnosed in 2004, reported HIV infection among pregnant women was rare. Ten PICT reported that an HIV antibody test was offered as a routine component of antenatal care and 11 reported that antiretroviral medications were available for the prevention of MTCT of HIV infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV infection differs greatly between PICT with a varying risk of MTCT of HIV infection. Successful prevention of MTCT of HIV infection throughout the PICT will require improved uptake of antenatal HIV antibody testing and better access to antiretroviral medications. [source]

FS07.1 A survey of occupational hand eczema in Denmark

CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004
Rikke Skoet
Background:, The need for prevention to reduce the number of occupational hand eczema is high. Occupational hand eczema is the most frequently recognised work-related disease in Denmark. Previous findings have shown that almost half of all cases develop a chronic condition with persistent dermatitis, and the annual cost to society is immense. Aims:, The aim of this study was to survey the trends and development of occupational hand eczema in Denmark and thereby help to ensure future successful prevention of chronic disabling occupational hand eczema. Methods:, 758 patients with recognised occupational hand eczema were included prospectively in the period October 2001- November 2002. Data on diagnoses, disease duration, severity, absence from work and occupation was obtained from The Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries and an additional questionnaire was administered by mail. Results:, 621 patients answered the questionnaire (response rate 82%). Irritant contact dermatitis was the most frequent diagnosis and the female/male ratio was 2:1. High prevalence was found in particularly wet occupations. 19 per cent had sick leave more than 5 weeks per year and the mean disease duration was 4.8 years (median 2.1 years). 68.2% had chronic changes. Conclusion:, The results showed a marked gender difference in the pattern of diagnosis and occupation. The impact of occupational hand eczema is still high with prolonged absence from work and a high percentage of chronic disease. The results of the study give important suggestions for future preventive strategies for health authorities. [source]

Neuropeptides and appetite control

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2002
J. P. H. Wilding
Abstract Obesity is important in the aetiology of type 2 diabetes, and presents a major barrier to its successful prevention and management. Obesity develops when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure over time. A complex system has evolved to maintain energy homeostasis, but this is biased towards weight gain. Meal size is controlled by a series of short-term hormonal and neural signals that derive from the gastrointestinal tract, such as cholecystokinin whereas others may initiate meals, such as the recently discovered hormone, ghrelin. Other hormones such as insulin and leptin, together with circulating nutrients, indicate long-term energy stores. All these signals act at several central nervous system (CNS) sites but the pathways converge on the hypothalamus, which contains a large number of peptide and other neurotransmitters that influence food intake. As energy deficit is most likely to compromise survival, it is not surprising that the most powerful of these pathways are those that increase food intake and decrease energy expenditure when stores are depleted. When energy stores are low, production of leptin from adipose tissue, and thus circulating leptin concentrations fall, leading to increased production of hypothalamic neurotransmitters that strongly increase food intake, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin and agouti-related protein (AGRP) and decreased levels of ,-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (,-MSH), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and neurotensin that reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure. The finding that mutations in leptin and POMC lead to severe early onset obesity in bumans has highlighted the importance of these peptides in humans. This new understanding may eventually lead to new treatments for obesity that will be of particular benefit in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabet. Med. 19, 619,627 (2002) [source]

,Violent' deaths of children in England and Wales and the major developed countries 1974,2002: possible evidence of improving child protection?

CHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 5 2008
Colin Pritchard
Abstract Child protection services are criticised for failing to prevent abuse but demonstrating successful prevention is impossible as it is trying to prove a ,negative'. The alternative is to examine ,failures', i.e. the ,violent' deaths of children (0,14 years) to indicate whether matters are improving or deteriorating. This paper uses the latest World Health Organisation data to compare children's ,violent' deaths in England and Wales with those in other major developed countries. To account for possible ,hidden' under-reported abuse deaths, undetermined, i.e. ,other external causes of death' (OECD) and fatal accidents and adverse events (AAE), deaths are also analysed along with homicides, to compare all ,violence-related' deaths between 1974,76 and 2000,02. England and Wales infant (<1 year) homicide rates were annually 57 per million but fell to 17 per million, a 74% fall. Infant AAE deaths fell in every country with England and Wales falling from 341 per million to 71 per million, a 76% reduction. Both these results were significantly better than those of eight other major developed countries, although England and Wales infant OECD at 26 per million, were high compared to the major developed countries. In the 1970s, combined ,violent' deaths of all children (0,14 years) (homicide, OECD and AAE) in England and Wales were 203 per million, they are now 61 per million, a 70% decline with only Italy having lower rates. The worst rates were in the USA which had the highest combined ,violent' death rate. These overall results in the major reductions of ,violence-related' deaths in England and Wales can be a boost to the morale of front-line staff and provide the public with an indication of the progress being made. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]