Noise annoyance in Canada.

The present paper provides the results from two nation-wide telephone surveys conducted in Canada on a representative sample of 5,232 individuals, 15 years of age and older. The goals of this study were to gauge Canadians' annoyance towards environmental noise, identify the source of noise that is viewed as most annoying and quantify annoyance toward this principal noise source according to internationally accepted specifications. The first survey revealed that nearly 8% of Canadians in this age group were either very or extremely bothered, disturbed or annoyed by noise in general and traffic noise was identified as being the most annoying source. A follow-up survey was conducted to further assess Canadians' annoyance towards traffic noise using both a five-item verbal scale and a ten-point numerical scale. It was shown that 6.7% of respondents indicated they were either very or extremely annoyed by traffic noise on the verbal scale. On the numerical scale, where 10 was equivalent to "extremely annoyed" and 0 was equivalent to "not at all annoyed", 5.0% and 9.1% of respondents rated traffic noise as 8 and above and 7 and above, respectively. The national margin of error for these findings is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The results are consistent with an approximate value of 7% for the percentage of Canadians, in the age group studied, highly annoyed by road traffic noise (i.e. about 1.8 million people). We found that age, education level and community size had a statistically significant association with noise annoyance ratings in general and annoyance specifically attributed to traffic noise. The use of the International Organization for Standardization/Technical Specification (ISO/TS)-15666 questions for assessing noise annoyance makes it possible to compare our results to other national surveys that have used the same questions.

HIV and the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

PIP: Lesotho is experiencing a rapid increase in the levels of HIV and AIDS, with the incidence of newly reported AIDS cases in the country increasing by more than 1500% over the period 1990-96. 352 cases were reported for the first 6 months of 1996, almost the total number of cases reported in 1995. 66% of new cases are among 20-39 year olds, 56.5% of whom are female. An average 16% of pregnant women and 33% of people with a sexually transmitted disease tested HIV-seropositive in 1994 sentinel surveys in five districts. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is currently most pronounced in the urban and lowland areas of Lesotho. However, findings from a recent study of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior conducted in the areas around Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highland Water Project (LHWP) indicate that it has the potential to worsen in rural Lesotho. Rural areas in the vicinity of the LHWP may be particularly vulnerable. Study findings are presented.^ieng

The economic impact of HIV / AIDS in Lesotho.

PIP: Since the first reported case of AIDS in Lesotho in 1986, HIV infection and the number of AIDS cases have continued to increase exponentially such that the number of new cases reported for the first 6 months of 1996 equalled the total reported in all of 1995. The World Health Organization Lesotho therefore commissioned a study in 1993 to estimate the potential direct and indirect costs of HIV/AIDS to Lesotho during 1993-98. These direct personal medical costs, direct non-personal costs, and indirect costs are presented. HIV/AIDS in Lesotho is estimated to have a M151.2 million economic impact during 1993-98. This figure is in constant 1992 prices and includes total direct medical costs of M66.5 million, total direct non-personal costs of M48.5 million, and total indirect costs of M36.2 million. The total economic cost of AIDS in 1993 was M10.9 million, 9.7% of the total health budget and 0.6% of gross domestic product. The average direct medical cost per HIV/AIDS patient in 1993 was M6210, while the total value of foregone productivity is M25,549. Therefore, for every HIV infection prevented today, a loss to the economy of M31,759 is averted. With the rapid spread of HIV throughout Lesotho, the cost of the pandemic will surely keep increasing.^ieng

The economic impact of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho : direct and indirect costs : 1993 - 1998

HIV/AIDS has the potential to impose a major economic impact on Lesotho. The total long run economic impact of HIV/AIDS between the years 1993 and 1998 is estimated to total M522;035;686 in constant 1992 prices. This figure includes the total direct medical costs (M66;497;825); the total direct non-personal costs (M48;460;02); and the total indirect costs (M437;077;840). With the rapid increase in HIV infection in Lesotho; the cost of the pandemic promises to spiral. Its cost would not only impact health care services; but many other sectors of the economy as well

Health services in Lesotho : a study of new possibilities for cooperation with South Africa

This study was conceived in 1993 by the WHO Office in Lesotho; when the events in South Africa indicated that a transition was imminent. Its main objective was to look into the health systems of Lesotho and South Africa from Lesotho's point of view; to ascertain the feasibility of an intensified collaborative venture that may benefit both countries. The idea was discussed within the United Nations system in Lesotho and it was agreed later last year to undertake a comprehensive study on the impact of South African developments on Lesotho socio-economic scenario. This study then is part of a wider critical look at possibilities to establish closer linkages between the two countries. The study reviews present relations between the health systems of Lesotho and South Africa and formulates possibilities for new initiatives; within the context of technical cooperation but also in the spirit of the Reconstruction and Development Programme for South Africa