Religious Differences in Child Vaccination Rates in Urban Africa: Comparison of Population Surveillance Data from Ouagadougou; Burkina Faso

Many studies have shown a significant relationship between religion and health in Western countries. In developing countries; however; there is a dearth of scientific studies on the matter. Using data from the Ouagadougou Health and Demographic Surveillance System; this paper examines religious differences in child vaccination rates in five districts of Ouagadougou; Burkina Faso. It tests the applicability of the selectivity hypothesis; which holds that religious differences in health come from underlying differences in the socioeconomic and demographic composition of religious communities. In our study population; even when socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are taken into account; an effect of religion on child vaccination rates was observed. This suggests that religious disparities in child vaccination rates are not solely due to the makeup of different religious communities; but also to ideological differences and/or to diffusion effects from interactions within religious groups. The religious differences demonstrated here suggest that a greater emphasis should be put on community-based approaches involving religious leaders when addressing health disparities

Outcome of Training on Yellow Fever Surveillance in a South-Western State; Nigeria: Implications for Improved Field Implementation

Background : Nigeria is in the process of strengthening yellow fever case-based surveillance with the collection of serum samples among suspected case patients. Objective: A training conducted for surveillance officers in the local government areas (LGAs) of Osun State on yellow fever case-based surveillance was assessed to determine its immediate impact on the knowledge of participants. Methods: The training focused mainly on how to detect and report a suspected case of yellow fever to the national authorities and the reference laboratory. Training materials included the World Health Organization district guidelines for yellow fever surveillance. A pre and post test was used to evaluate the immediate impact of the training on knowledge among participants. Results: A total of 31 officers participated. The mean scores for pre and post tests were 7.1 (SD 3.6) and 20.7 (SD 3.4) out of a total of 30 points respectively. More than 80of participants rated the training as excellent in overall organization. Conclusion: All participants indicated that they were very confident to fully implement yellow fever surveillance in their LGAs

HIV seroprevalence in three population groups

Many strategies exist for HIV antibody testing. Using a combination of an Enzyme immunoassay and Western Blotting; we found anti-HIV seroprevalence of 1.6 per cent; 1.2 per cent and 34.8 per cent in blood donors; pregnant women and patients with clinical symptoms of AIDS; respectively. Due to worldwide interest in the epidemiology of HIV disease; correct identification of infected people is important. The false labelling of people as seropositive only on ELISA screening has psychological implications. The importance of anti-HIV confirmatory testing when the test objective is diagnosis is stressed

Onchocerciasis distribution and severity in five West African countries

The Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa recently extended its operation to Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, the western part of Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone. To estimate the number of people infected and blinded by the disease and to determine its distribution and severity in the extension area, 215 villages were selected, using a stratified random sampling procedure, and surveyed. All the relevant entomological information available at the time was used in the sampling procedure and in the selection of 92 non-representative villages that were surveyed to confirm the findings. In addition, the populations of 608 villages were examined to map out in detail the distribution of onchocerciasis in the areas at a high risk of onchocercal blindness. The study estimated that 1,475,367 people were infected and 23,728 were blinded from onchocerciasis out of a rural population of 4,464,183. The northern and western part of the study area and the lower Niger basin presented a low or no risk of onchocercal blindness. The upper Niger basin, the south-central part of Sierra Leone, and three small foci in the Gambia, Bakoye, and lower Niger river basins were areas with a high risk of onchocercal blindness. The other parts of the study area presented a medium risk of onchocercal blindness. By detecting the communities at risk of onchocercal disease this study permits the selection of populations for disease control based on mass distribution of ivermectin, a microfilaricide

AIDS and HIV infection in Uganda--are more women infected than men?

In countries in sub-Saharan Africa; HIV is transmitted primarily heterosexually. HIV infection and AIDS in women not only affects women's health but also has implications for the other members of society. Maternal infection is the source of most childhood HIV infection in Africa and maternal health is a strong predictor of child survival. In Uganda; a review of passive AIDS surveillance has shown almost equal numbers of clinical cases reported in men and women. However; in three population-based HIV serosurveys; women were consistently found to have a higher infection rate (approximately 1.4 times) than men. In addition; both AIDS case surveillance and seroprevalence studies demonstrate an earlier age of presentation and mean age of infection in women. The higher rate of HIV infection in women suggests either differential rates of transmission between women and men; higher rates of female sexual exposure to infected men; or longer survival among HIV-infected women compared with men. Although further studies are required to illuminate both the biology and the epidemiology of heterosexual HIV transmission in Africa; these findings of earlier and higher infection rates in women have important implications for women's health and child survival in Uganda and indicate the need for specially targeted interventions to reduce transmission in this group

First HIV sentinel surveillance in Botswana : report

The present study has demonstrated that the HIV epidemic has been explosive in Botswana and has by now reached catastrophic proportions. Many thousands are already infected; although few have yet developed symptoms of AIDS. The health and socio-economic impact of the epidemic will be serious. The impact will be felt in the next few years. Preparation is now timely and should be multi-sectoral. Prevention of HIV transmission will have the highest priority also in the years to come. Some interventions do work; but only given sufficient priority in terms of manpower and other resources

Second HIV sentinel surveillance in Botswana : report

HIV sentinel surveillance is the systematic collection of data on prevalence and trends of HIV infection in selected populations; at selected sites. Surveillance activities by the AIDS/STD Unit of the Ministry of Health include the monitoring of HIV prevalence; the number of reported AIDS cases; and studies on trends in sexual behaviour. In all; 2714 pregnant women; 926 men with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and 131 patients with tuberculosis were tested for the presence of antibodies to HIV in serum in an anonymous survey. Finally; 612 (22.5 per cent) women were found to be HIV seropositive. The highest prevalence was found among pregnant women in Francistown and 295 (31.9 per cent) men were found to be HIV seropositive

Group Work with Children and Youth Living in HIV/AIDS affected Families: Lessons learnt from Uganda and USA

The AIDS epidemic has given rise to a profound concern about the needs of persons with HIV/AIDS. In recent years with the epidemic spreading to all sectors of life and affecting various family members attention has shifted on children and adolescents. The report in the presentation describes a group treatment approach as one community response for helping children and adolescents deal with the emotional and safety issues related to living with HIV/AIDS in a family member. Group processes are explored in providing social support; psycho-education and therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents. Group work is an effective strategy in helping children; youth and their caregivers work through these issues toward violence prevention. Drawing from the United States and the Ugandan experiences; the presentation will provide opportunities and strategies to enrich and learn from each other on the one hand while examining the challenges and dilemmas that face these experiences. In the report; key points/conclusions/recommendations include: family; in all its forms; must continue to be a major source of support; cultural beliefs and traditional activities play a major factor in designing effective interventions; schools and faith traditions are central in the work around HIV/AIDS; caregivers; community leaders and volunteers must taken an active role in reducing stigma