An ongoing outbreak of heterosexually-acquired syphilis across Teesside, UK.

Prior to 2006, diagnoses of heterosexually acquired syphilis were rare in Teesside (an area in the north east of England, UK). Since 2006, there has been an increase in such cases, with 24 cases diagnosed in 2006 and 22 in 2007. There was a marked reduction in cases in 2008 with six cases reported, but a large increase in diagnoses in 2009 (34 cases). There have been 14 cases to date in 2010. Of concern is the increase noted in women and younger age groups. Geographical mapping of cases shows a wide dispersion across Teesside although some clusters were identified, mostly in areas of high deprivation. Little detailed information is available to help identify social and sexual networks widely and target intervention. A multiagency outbreak control team is addressing this problem, based on the principles of partner notification, increased awareness, increased screening and health promotion activities. A range of measures, including a detailed communications plan, have been implemented.

A seven year experience of medical emergencies in the assessment unit.

AIMS: To analyse retrospectively all referrals to the assessment unit during a seven year period, to determine their sources and destination. METHODS: All referrals over the seven year period were analysed. Parental satisfaction was determined using a questionnaire in some of the patients. The disease pattern and the investigations performed were determined. The community nurses' working hours and type of work done were analysed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 43 496 children were seen in the unit. Over 65% of the patients were referred by the general practitioners; 13 517 (34.2%) of those referred to the unit were discharged directly from the unit. Respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal problems were commonly seen. The children discharged from the unit did not have significantly more tests done on them. Most of the parents whose children were discharged from the unit were happy to be managed at home. The community nurses attended many children who needed intravenous therapy and advice on fluid rehydration. Community nurses reduce admission to the wards by working with other members in the assessment unit. This in turn provides a single point of entry and bridges the gap between primary and secondary care. We suggest recommendations on setting up such a unit.

Population growth, poverty and health.

One of the most popular explanations for the many problems that face Africa is population growth. Africa's population has doubled since 1960. Africa has the highest fertility rate in the world and the rate of population growth is higher than in any other region. At the same time, Africa faces a social and economic situation that is viewed by many as alarming. Among the problems that devastate Africa is that of persistent poor health. Africa has lower life expectancy, higher mortality rates and is affected by more disease and illness conditions than any other region. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, this paper examines the relationship between population growth, poverty and poor health. While most analyses have focused on population growth as an original cause of poverty and underdevelopment, this paper argues that while both population growth and poor health play a significant role in exacerbating the problem of poverty, they are themselves primary consequences of poverty rather than its cause.

Political violence and Eritrean health care.

In both colonial and post-colonial eras, the creation of nation states has often been accompanied by conflict and violence in Third World countries, particularly if such attempts have ignored previously existing cultural, religious and/or ethical differences. The illegitimacy of national state construction becomes even more apparent when the attempt is associated with conflicting geopolitical interests of the 'super-powers', as is in the case of the Horn of Africa. The 27 years of armed struggle of Eritrea to free itself from Ethiopian domination is a consequence of previous and continuing attempts to create a nation state serve the interests of the ex-colonialists and 'super-powers' at the expense of the needs and desires of the people. Throughout the 27 years of struggle with its inevitable disruption of civilian life and service provisions, Eritrea has continued to develop a needs-based health care system. The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) has developed a health care system which directly involves the people themselves. Through careful selection of priorities and a national allocation system for the distribution of scarce resources, it has provided remarkably effective emergency services, primary care and preventive health services. Such an approach has avoided the errors committed by many other Third World countries who, through copying modern western medical care systems, developed secondary and tertiary medical care facilities which were irrelevant to the health care needs of the vast majority of their populations.