Prevalence of syphilis in pregnancy in Addis Ababa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of syphilis seropositivity in pregnant women, identify the risk factors associated with it and re-evaluate the need for routine antenatal care screening for syphilis. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three teaching hospitals of Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SUBJECTS: A total of 410 pregnant women attending antenatal care from April 1997 to September 1997 were included in the study. Subjects were excluded from the study if they were registered prior to the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seropositivity for syphilis, and socio-demographic factors related to it. RESULTS: Among the study population, twelve women (2.9%) were positive for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL). The study showed that the seropositive women were more likely to be those with lesser income (<600 birr/month). Past history of abortion was significantly associated with VDRL seropositivity (p<0.05). Similarities and differences between the findings of this study and other national and international reports have been noted. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to conduct a large scale study to evaluate if screening is cost-effective and establish risk scoring methods.

Prevalence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) in cattle from Ethiopia.

A serological study was done to establish the occurrence and determine the prevalence of two important respiratory tract pathogens, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4), in cattle in Ethiopia. Prevalence rates for specific antibodies of 92.5% and 22.3% were recorded for BRSV and BHV-4, respectively. The presence of antibodies against these viruses in cattle from Ethiopia is recorded for the first time in this report. Our data suggests diseases caused by these viruses occur in Ethiopia but, perhaps because disease signs are not specific, they have not been recognized in the past.

The relation of early nutrition, infections and socio-economic factors to the development of childhood diabetes.

The relationship of development of diabetes from birth up to 15 years of age to the type of feeding in infancy, childhood infections and vaccination was studied in 55 patients attending Endocrinology Clinics of the Ethio-Swedish Children's and Tikur Anbessa Hospitals over a period of two years (January 1990 to December 1991). Seventy-four unaffected siblings and 107 unrelated controls were interviewed for comparison. No significant difference was found in relation to type of feeding up to the ages of three, six and 12 months or older between patients and unaffected siblings. Histories of measles, chicken pox and whooping cough were equally distributed between the two groups. However, introduction of bottle-feeding was significantly more frequent among unrelated controls at three months of age (9/39 diabetics versus 41/83 controls) and six months of age (26/39 diabetics vs 72/83 controls) chi 2 = 6.6, (p < 0.01) and chi 2 = 5.6 (p < 0.05) respectively. The odds ratios between diabetics and unrelated controls for introduction of bottle-feeding at three months and six months of age were 0.32 (confidence intervals 0.14-0.74) and 0.31 (confidence intervals 0.13-0.77) respectively. The use of cow's milk and other formulas in bottle-feeding showed a significant negative association with the development of diabetes chi 2 = 5.8 (p < 0.025), chi 2 = 3.8 (p < 0.05) respectively. A history of vaccination against tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) and polio was significantly more common among unrelated controls than diabetics, chi 2 from 4.6 to 11.4 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PIP: The development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is thought to be related to environmental trigger factors acting upon a background of genetic predisposition to the disease. Viral infections, toxins, and dietary factors are being considered as trigger factors. The authors studied the relationship of the development of diabetes from birth up to 15 years of age to the type of feeding in infancy, childhood infections, and vaccination among 55 patients attending Endocrinology Clinics of the Ethio-Swedish Children's and Tikur Anbessa Hospitals over the period January 1990 to December 1991. 74 unaffected siblings and 107 unrelated individuals were included as controls. No significant difference was found in relation to type of feeding up to the ages of three, six, and twelve months or older between patients and unaffected siblings. Histories of measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough were equally distributed between the two groups. The introduction of bottle-feeding, however, was significantly more frequent among unrelated controls at three months and six months of age. The use of cow's milk and other formulas in bottle-feeding showed a significant negative association with the development of diabetes. An history of vaccination against tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio was significantly more common among unrelated controls than diabetics. There was no significant difference in family history of diabetes in first degree relatives, parental education, and level of income between diabetics and unrelated controls. The authors suggest that more extensive studies are warranted.