Has the quality of serosurveillance in low- and middle-income countries improved since the last HIV estimates round in 2007? Status and trends through 2009.

BACKGROUND: HIV surveillance systems aim to monitor trends of HIV infection, the geographical distribution and its magnitude, and the impact of HIV. The quality of HIV surveillance is a key element in determining the uncertainty ranges around HIV estimates. This paper aims to assess the quality of HIV surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries in 2009 compared with 2007. METHODS: Four dimensions related to the quality of surveillance systems are assessed: frequency and timeliness of data; appropriateness of populations; consistency of locations and groups; and representativeness of the groups. An algorithm for scoring the quality of surveillance systems was used separately for low and concentrated epidemics and for generalised epidemics. RESULTS: The number of countries categorised as fully functioning in 2009 was 35, down from 40 in 2007. 47 countries were identified as partially functioning, while 56 were categorised as poorly functioning. When compared with 2007, the quality of HIV surveillance remains similar. The number of ANC sites in sub-Saharan Africa has increased over time. The number of countries with low and concentrated epidemics that do not have functioning HIV surveillance systems has increased from 53 to 56 between 2007 and 2009. CONCLUSION: Overall, the quality of surveillance in low- and middle-income countries has remained stable. Still too many countries have poorly functioning surveillance systems. Several countries with generalised epidemics have conducted more than one population-based survey which can be used to confirm trends. In countries with concentrated or low-level epidemics, the lack of data on high-risk populations remains a challenge.

Perceptions of the condom as a method of HIV prevention in Yemen.

An HIV/AIDS situation analysis in Yemen was conducted in 2002 to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the male condom as a means of HIV prevention. Data were collected from 3 groups: the general population, a marginalized minority group and Yemenis returning from extended work abroad. Only 51.3% had ever heard of the male condom; of these, just 45.5% were aware of its protective benefit against infection. The major constraint to condom promotion was concern that it would undermine the sexual norms of the country. Reduction in sensation and doubts about its preventive efficacy were further constraints. Nonetheless, over 21% approved of condom promotion among high-risk groups.

Perceptions of the condom as a method of HIV prevention in Yemen

An HIV/AIDS situation analysis in Yemen was conducted in 2002 to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the male condom as a means of HIV prevention. Data were collected from 3 groups: the general population, a marginalized minority group and Yemenis returning from extended work abroad. Only 51.3% had ever heard of the male condom; of these, just 45.5% were aware of its protective benefit against infection. The major constraint to condom promotion was concern that it would undermine the sexual norms of the country. Reduction in sensation and doubts about its preventive efficacy were further constraints. Nonetheless, over 21% approved of condom promotion among high-risk groups

Information needs assessment for HIV/AIDS and STIs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

We assessed information needs about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region by surveying a sample of people considered knowledgeable about the subject. Respondents felt that information on certain areas of HIV/AIDS/STIs was much needed. Health care workers were perceived to see a high need for information and services generally. Religious and community leaders were perceived to see less need for some information and services (such as condom promotion, sex education for young people). All groups were perceived to see a need for education and services for people living with AIDS and drug users. Television and radio were considered the best channels for health education while training was seen as the most effective method for information exchange.

Information needs assessment for HIV/AIDS and STIs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

We assessed information needs about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections [STI] in the Eastern Mediterranean Region by surveying a sample of people considered knowledgeable about the subject. Respondents felt that information on certain areas of HIV/AIDS/STIs was much needed. Health care workers were perceived to see a high need for information and services generally. Religious and community leaders were perceived to see less need for some information and services [such as condom promotion, sex education for young people]. All groups were perceived to see a need for education and services for people living with AIDS and drug users. Television and radio were considered the best channels for health education while training was seen as the most effective method for information exchange

Joining the nursing profession in Qatar: motives and perceptions.

We aimed to identify why female students in Qatar decide to become nurses and how the students perceived the community attitude towards nursing. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all (57) female students of the four academic classes of the Nursing Unit, University of Qatar for the academic year 1999-2000. The two commonest reasons for joining the nursing profession were an interest in medical services and the humanitarian nature of nursing. There were 33 (57.89%) students who considered there was a negative community attitude towards nursing mainly due to the presence of male patients and colleagues and the working hours. A mass media campaign and govemmental support were two strategies suggested to change this.

Joining the nursing profession in Qatar: motives and perceptions

We aimed to identify why female students in Qatar decide to become nurses and how the students perceived the community attitude towards nursing. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all [57] female students of the four academic classes of the Nursing Unit, University of Qatar for the academic year 1999-2000. The two commonest reasons for joining the nursing profession were an interest in medical services and the humanitarian nature of nursing. There were 33 [57.89%] students who considered there was a negative community attitude towards nursing mainly due to the presence of male patients and colleagues and the working hours. A mass media campaign and governmental support were two strategies suggested to change this

Attitudes of saudi media towards world health events.

INTRODUCTION: Mass media are very important in health education programmes. Health promoters rely on them to play a crucial role in their campaign. AIM: The aim of the study was to study the patterns of contribution of the Saudi daily newspapers on two international health occasion during the year 1416H (World AIDS Day 1995 and World Health Day 1996). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was retrospective, carried out by reviewing eight daily Saudi newspapers including all issues covering three months before and extending three weeks after each occasion. All newspaper materials concerning the two occasions were specified, and data obtained from them included types of materials, topics and characteristics of the paper. RESULTS: The study revealed that the newspapers gave more coverage to World AIDS Day than on World Health Day. This meant that journalists considered that AIDS was more interesting to the readers than the environmental topic of World Health Day. Most of the materials especially in World Health Day were published in the inner pages. These findings are in consonance with previous work, which showed that Saudi journalists had little interest in environmental issues. Nearly two thirds of the materials were news items about ministerial and activities of other organizations. Informative articles on health education and readers' participation were minimal. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that newspapers took not much interest on health matters especially health education.