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

A 'post-honeymoon period' measles outbreak in Muyinga sector, Burundi.

In Muyinga sector, Burundi, an area with good vaccination levels against measles and recent low incidence of measles, a major outbreak of measles in 1988 raised questions about the efficacy of the immunization programme. To help answer these questions, we 1) reviewed programme data on doses of measles vaccine administered, vaccine coverage, and measles incidence, and 2) conducted a census of the affected area to examine vaccine efficacy and measles mortality. We found that between 1980 and 1988 in Burundi, 1) measles vaccine coverage by age 1 had increased from 0% to 55%, 2) the incidence of reported measles cases declined from 12.1/1000 to 6.2/1000, 3) reported measles mortality dropped from 0.18/1000 to 0.08/1000, and 4) the interepidemic period had increased from 25 to 35 months. In the census, the best estimate of measles vaccine efficacy administered at 9 months of age was 73%. Measles increased the risk of death by 2.5-fold with the effect limited to the first month after measles. This outbreak demonstrated the 'post-honeymoon period' epidemic predicted by mathematical models in which outbreaks occur among accumulated susceptibles in a partially immunized population. Understanding this phenomenon is important in providing a basis for improved strategies of measles control. Such outbreaks present new challenges to newly maturing immunization programmes in improving skills in surveillance, outbreak investigation, and public relations.

[Causes of mortality in a rural area in the Faritany of Toamasina in 1986]. / Causes de mortalite en milieu rural dans le Faritany de Toamasina annee 1986.

PIP: The main causes of death in rural areas of the Faritany of Toamasina during 1986 are identified and classified by order of importance for the entire population as well as for vulnerable groups such as preschool children and reproductive-aged women. The 10 leading causes of death of infants and children under age 5 years are coughs and fevers, as well as thoracic pains; vomiting and diarrhea; age factors; high, intermittent fevers and chills; protein-calorie malnutrition; convulsions; other high fevers; cough of long duration; sudden death; and measles. Leading causes of death for women aged 15-49 years include coughs and fevers, as well as thoracic pains; high, intermittent fevers and chills; vomiting and diarrhea; other high fevers; delivery complications; cough of long duration; malnutrition; abortion or miscarriage; sudden death; and postpartum illnesses. Over 60% of deaths reported for children aged 0-5 years could have been prevented through a broader vaccination program, oral rehydration therapy, nutrition education and growth monitoring, and the preventive treatment of malaria. Priority focus should be given to respiratory infections.^ieng