[Limitations and alternatives to the implementation of a program for drug users at risk of HIV infection using the Social Network Approach]. / Limites e alternativas para a implementação de um programa para dependentes químicos em risco para infecção pelo HIV utilizando o conceito de Rede Social.

The authors describe the development of a preventive program focused on intravenous drug users at risk of HIV infection, using the Social Network Approach as the intervention model. The authors describe the project's steps in a large university hospital in southern Brazil, emphasizing the unique methods and techniques developed by the treatment staff. Problems encountered during the project development are discussed, aimed at identifying the reasons why the program only achieved partial success. The authors identify critical issues, such as the use of a new technique not previously tried in Brazil, difficulties in maintaining IV drug users in treatment, lack of infrastructure for walk-in treatment, and the challenge of motivating staff and patients to continue treatment. The authors conclude by listing suggestions aimed at facilitating the development of new projects based on the same conceptual model.

Consumo de benzodiazepínicos em Porto Alegre / Benzodiazepinics comsumption in Porto Alegre

Os benzodiazepínicos (BDZ) vêm sendo utilizados em larga escala para o controle da ansiedade e outras condiçöes clínicas desde que foi introduzida sua comercializaçäo na década de 60. Nos últimos anos, diversos estudos têm apontando seu uso indiscriminado, contribuindo para aumentar a morbidade associada, bem como a busca por outras substâncias calmamente de acesso mais fácil. OBJETIVO. Estimar a prevalência do uso de benzodiazepínicos e calmantes caseiros na populaçäo adulta de Porto Alegre, TS. MÉTODOS. 480 habitantes do município de Porto Alegre, RS, com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos, selecionados através de amostragem aleatória por conglomerados (setores censitários do IBGE), foram entrevistados em seus domicílios durante o mês de junho de 1991. RESULTADOS. As prevalências do uso de BDZ na vida, no último ano e no último mês, foram, respectivamente, 46,7 por cento, 21,3 por cento e 13,1 por cento. Entre as mulheres e os viúvos ou separados a prevalência foi significativamente maior. A maioria dos indivíduos que usaram BDZ no último mês o fizeram, no mínimo, 2 a 3 dias por semana. Mais de 40 por cento dos entrevistados relataram uso freqüente de substâncias caseiras para "acalmar", sendo 28,8 por cento a prevalência do uso no último mês. CONCLUSAO. O uso de substâncias químicas para aliviar a ansiedade e outros sintomas está difundido entre a populaçäo. A legislaçäo, nem sempre respeitada, tem sido insuficiente para disciplinar o uso. É necessário compreender a complexidade de razöes para que a situ-açäo se mantenha e investir em medidas para educar médicos e populaçäo quanto ao uso adequado dos BDZ, além de buscar reguladoras ao nível da lei que sejam mais eficientes

[Benzodiazepine consumption in Porto Alegre]. / Consumo de benzodiazepínicos em Porto Alegre.

Benzodiazepines has been largely used to control anxiety and other clinical pictures since it began to be traded in the 60's. In recent years, many studies have shown that they are used indiscriminately, contributing to increase associated morbidity, and to search for other more accessible tranquilizers. PURPOSE--To estimate the prevalence of benzoadiazepine and over-the-counter tranquilizers use in adults living in Porto Alergre-RS, Brazil. METHODS--480 inhabitants of Porto Alegre, aged 18 or older, selected through a random cluster sampling procedure (sectors of the Brazilian Census), were interviewed in their homes during June, 1991. RESULTS--The prevalence for BDZ use during life, in the past year and in the past month was, respectively, 46.7%, 21.3% and 13.11%. Prevalence was significantly higher among women and widowers or divorced. The majority of those who used BDZ during the past month did so at least 2 or 3 days per week. More than 40% reported frequent over-the-counter substances use to "tranquilize", with a 28.8% prevalence for past month use. CONCLUSION--Chemical substance use to alleviate anxiety and other symptoms is generally spread. Legislation, not always respected, has been insufficient to discipline its use. Understanding the complexity of reasons for the situation to be unchanged is needed. Also necessary is the investment in education on adequate use of BDZ, both for physicians and population, and the search for legal measures that should be more efficient.

Three- to 7-year follow-up after albendazole treatment of 68 patients with cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease).

Sixty-eight cystic echinococcosis patients were each treated with 800 mg albendazole/day in four 28-day courses separated by 14-day drug-free intervals. Follow-up for 3-7 years showed that this treatment alone eradicated the cysts in many patients; in most of the remainder, disease progression stopped. Of the 59 patients with liver cyst(s), 41% were cured (all cysts disappeared), 17% showed marked improvement (> 25% contraction, complete consolidation), 24% limited improvement and 15% no change. Of the 12 patients with lung cyst(s), 72% were cured, 9% showed limited improvement and 18% showed no change (18%). No patient worsened but a recurrence occurred in two patients at about 56 months. The times taken to detect an initial cyst change and to detect cure were longer than is generally expected; initial cyst changes and cure could only be detected after 1 year in 12% and 69% of patients with liver cysts and 22% and 37% of those with lung cysts, respectively.