A nested case-control study on relapse predictors among tuberculosis patients treated in Yemen's NTCP.

SETTING: The National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in Yemen. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with TB relapse. METHODS: In a prospective nested case-control study, relapse cases were recruited from a cohort of pulmonary TB patients registered between July 2007 and June 2008. Four controls per case were randomly selected from the list of non-relapse patients. Three forms were used for data collection, which included interviews with the participants and review of their medical cards and TB registers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for relapse. RESULTS: A relapse rate of 5.7% was found. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that unemployment, smoking, presence of cavitations, weight gain, weight loss, non-adherence during the continuation phase and diabetes were significantly associated with relapse (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Relapse rates can be reduced by ensuring that patients take their treatment regularly and are counselled effectively to stop smoking. Reinforcing the implementation of the DOTS strategy and strengthening the anti-smoking campaigns are important actions. Action to help unemployed patients, including free services and the creation of new job opportunities, should be adopted. Using rifampicin-based regimens in the treatment of cavitary TB and bi-directional screening in TB and diabetes patients are recommended.

AIDS awareness and attitudes among Yemeni young people living in high-risk areas.

Despite te low rate of infection in Yemen, there are concerns about the possible spread of HIV among high-risk and vulnerable groups. A community-based study was made in 2005 of AIDS awareness and attitudes among 601 young people aged 15-24 years from low-income, high-risk neighbourhoods in Aden. Young people lacked proper information about HIV/AIDS. Although 89% had heard of AIDS, fewer (46%) could name 3 ways of transmission or 3 ways to avoid infection (28%). Misconceptions about modes of transmissions were prevalent and many young people believed that they faced little or no risk. There were intolerant attitudes towards AIDS patients. About half the young people knew that prostitution and homosexuality existed in their area.

AIDS awareness and attitudes among Yemeni young people living in high-risk areas

Despite the low rate of infection in Yemen, there are concerns about the possible spread of HIV among high-risk and vulnerable groups. A community-based study was made in 2005 of AIDS awareness and attitudes among 601 young people aged 15-24 years from low-income, high-risk neighbourhoods in Aden. Young people lacked proper information about HIV/AIDS. Although 89% had heard of AIDS, fewer [46%] could name 3 ways of transmission or 3 ways to avoid infection [28%]. Misconceptions about modes of transmissions were prevalent and many young people believed that they faced little or no risk. There were intolerant attitudes towards AIDS patients. About half the young people knew that prostitution and homosexuality existed in their area

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS in Sana'a, Yemen.

Although HIV prevalence is low in the Republic of Yemen, existing conditions could lead to the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. Interviewers helped 1033 residents aged 14-49 years from randomly chosen households to complete a survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS. General awareness was good, although there were many misconceptions about transmission modes, stigmas and discrimination against HIV positive persons. Knowledge was significantly determined by schooling, residence and sex. Although they recognized the global threat of AIDS, participants underestimated its threat to the Republic of Yemen. Television was the commonest source of information. Fostering public awareness is recommended to facilitate the development of intervention programmes, fight stigmas and ensure delivery of care to those affected.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS in Sana'a, Yemen

Although HIV prevalence is low in the Republic of Yemen, existing conditions could lead to the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. Interviewers helped 1033 residents aged 14-49 years from randomly chosen households to complete a survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS. General awareness was good, although there were many misconceptions about transmission modes, stigmas and discrimination against HIV positive persons. Knowledge was significantly determined by schooling, residence and sex. Although they recognized the global threat of AIDS, participants underestimated its threat to the Republic of Yemen. Television was the commonest source of information. Fostering public awareness is recommended to facilitate the development of intervention programmes, fight stigmas and ensure delivery of care to those affected

Impact of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on cognitive function and school achievement of schoolchildren in the Yemen Republic.

Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is prevalent among schoolchildren in many countries. The relationship between asymptomatic parasitaemia and children's cognitive functions was examined in a case control study and then in a natural experiment. A group (n = 445) of asymptomatic parasitaemic boys were compared with a group of non-parasitaemic boys (n = 142) matched for grade and school on their performance on a battery of cognitive tests. Two weeks later the parasitaemic children were re-screened and 150 children of those who remained parasitaemic were matched for grade and school with 150 children who were no longer parasitaemic. These children were then re-tested and their cognitive function compared. Initially, after controlling for age, socio-economic background and nutritional status the parasitaemic children performed worse than the non-parasitaemic children in fine motor function tests. There was no difference in change in cognitive test scores between those who became non-parasitaemic and those who remained parasitaemic. However, children who initially had the highest parasite density improved the most in 2 fine motor tests and a picture memory test. We were unable to show a benefit from losing parasitaemia over a 2 week period, but it remains possible that parasitaemia may affect cognition and longer term trials should be conducted.