Epidemiology and cost of haemodialysis in Jordan

To assess the epidemiology and burden of haemodialysis in Jordan, all patients on haemodialysis [1711 patients] were surveyed during September/October 2003. Mean age was 48.9 years, 56% were male, 86.8% were unemployed and 92% were poor. Mean distance to the haemodialysis service was 13.6 km. Annual hepatitis B and C seroconversion for patients negative before dialysis was 0.34% and 2.6% respectively. Prevalence of haemodialysis was 312 per million population; the incidence in 2002 was 111 per million population. Fatality rate at 1 year was 20%. Diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of haemodialysis, 29.2% of cases. Total estimated cost of haemodialysis in 2003 was US$ 29.7 million

Knowledge of AIDS and self-efficacy to high-risk sexual practices among Lebanese males in New York

The relationship of AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy to high-risk sexual practices among Lebanese males in NewYork was examined. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample. Relationships between AIDS-knowledge and self-efficacy and high-risk sexual practices for the 25 homosexual men were rarely significant, probably because of the small sample. The 261 heterosexual participants had statistically significant relationships between AIDS-knowledge and 9 high-risk sexual practices and between self-efficacy and 18 high-risk sexual practices. For heterosexuals, and to a lesser degree for homosexuals, high-risk sexual practices increased as drug-related behaviours and sex with prostitutes increased

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in Iraqi children

pediatric patients at Saddam Central Teaching Hospital for Children with signs and symptoms of acute-streptococcal glomerulonephritis [APSGN] were studied in order to compare the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of this disease with those found abroad. Patients and 106 patients were admitted during a one-year period. All of these cases were studied with respect to age, sex, clinical features, seasonal distribution, complete blood count, bacterial cultures, antistreptolysin O titers, complement C3 and C4, blood urea nitrogen, and serum electrolytes. the dominant age was from 6 to 12 years with a peak incidence in children of 6-7. There was an equal male to female ratio. A clustering of cases was observed in September, October, and November at the beginning of the school year. The commonest site of streptococcal infection was throat [68%]. Recent skin infection accounted for 5% of the cases. In 27% of the cases, no history of infection was noted. Clinically, the picture was similar to that of other reports. A significant elevation of the ASO titer was detected in 42%. The C3 complement serum level was decreased in 90% of cases. Anemia was found in 61% of patients. A hemoglobin of 9 g/dl or less was found in 25% of the anemic patients. A relative increase in neutrophils [70% or more] was found in 62% of the cases. Complete recovery occurred in 97% of the cases. APSGN is similar in our community to that which has been reported elsewhere with the exception of a weaker antibody response to the infection that preceded the acute glomerulonephritis, equal occurrence in males and females, and the presence of anemia