Showing papers by "Makerere University published in 1989"
TL;DR: A linear trend in the rise of risk for cervical cancer was noted with increasing number of infections, and HSV and CMV were associated with cervical cancer only when infection by both of these agents was demonstrable.
Abstract: The presence of several infections was determined in tissue and serum samples from 34 cases and 23 controls seen in 1984-85 at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. When assessing single infections, association with cervical cancer could be shown for 5 agents, namely by Southern blot assay for human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (HPV), and by serological tests at varying levels of antibody titres, for herpes simplex virus type I and/or 2 (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus, viral capsid antigen (EBV-VCA), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CLT). Due to interaction, HSV and CMV were associated with cervical cancer only when infection by both of these agents was demonstrable. In the assessment of the simultaneous presence of these 5 infections, moderately high antibody titres were taken as the cut-off point for infection by HSV, CMV, EBV-VCA, and CLT. This showed that 3 and 4 infections at a time were seen in the majority of the cases in contrast to the controls with essentially no more than 2 such infections. A linear trend in the rise of risk for cervical cancer was noted with increasing number of infections.
112 citations
TL;DR: Stratified analysis of a history of STDs in people who were monogamous still showed an association with HIV infection, and factors significantly associated with HIV infections on univariate analysis include multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, injections, and being female.
Abstract: A survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of 3928 Ugandans concerning AIDS was done in two semi-rural communities in August 1987. Eighty-eight per cent of the respondents knew that AIDS could be acquired from other people and that having multiple sexual partners was high-risk behaviour. There were, however, many incorrect beliefs about HIV transmission, including belief in transmission by insect bites (37%), witchcraft (22%) and casual contact with ill people (21%). AIDS was believed to be curable by 15% of the respondents. As part of the survey, blood was obtained from 3907 (99%) participants; 421 (10.8%) had antibody to HIV-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and females were more likely to be infected than males (12.5 versus 8.8%, relative risk 1.42). Factors significantly associated with HIV infection on univariate analysis include multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), injections, and being female. Stratified analysis of a history of STDs in people who were monogamous still showed an association with HIV infection. Information about the AIDS epidemic is reaching the Ugandan population; however, changes in behaviour are slower to follow.
64 citations
TL;DR: Some problems in conducting AIDS research in developing countries are outlined, the impact of the socio-cultural setting on study efforts is discussed, and the need for adopting methodological approaches that are highly sensitive to the environment is emphasized.
57 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that the WHO clinical case definition for AIDS is adequate in central African populations and its continued use is recommended.
Abstract: The diagnostic value of the World Health Organizations (WHOs) clinical case definition for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was reassessed in 99 patients aged 16 years and above who presented to the Internal Medicine ward of Ugandas Mulago Hospital in August-December 1987. The 39 cases met the WHO clinical case definition of AIDS with at least 2 major and 1 minor signs; the control group was comprised of 60 consecutive admissions to the emergency ward who did not fulfill the WHO case definition. Blood samples from each study participant were tested for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 through use of the Organon-Teknika enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the DuPont Western blot tests. 85% of the cases and 30% of controls were seropositive for HIV-1. Thus the WHO clinical case definition had a sensitivity of 65% a specificity of 88% and a positive predictive value for HIV-1 seropositivity of 85%. Similar values have been recorded in other centers in Uganda and in Zaire. Various modifications of the case definition were explored; however none resulted in any significant overall improvements in its diagnostic value. It was concluded that the WHO clinical case definition for AIDS is adequate in central African populations and its continued use is recommended.
9 citations
7 citations
TL;DR: To promote any real decline in fertility, emphasis should be placed on providing higher education and work opportunities for young women as an alternative to early marriage.
Abstract: This paper analyses the effects of age at first marriage, level of education, place of residence, marriage disruption, religion, contraceptive use, and work status on cumulative fertility in Kenya, using data from the 1977-78 Kenya Fertility Survey. Age at first marriage is the main determinant of cumulative fertility, but there are significant effects of level of education and marriage disruption. Place of residence is only significant for the Coast province. The implication of the findings is that to promote any real decline in fertility, emphasis should be placed on providing higher education and work opportunities for young women as an alternative to early marriage.
7 citations
7 citations
TL;DR: Alpha-interferon and neopterin may be reliable prognostic markers in Kaposi's sarcoma patients and result significantly higher in comparison with the seronegative ones.
5 citations
TL;DR: A drug-resistant Trypanosoma congolense strain with predetermined curative doses (CD50 and CD90) of samorin was cyclically transmitted through tsetse flies and by syringe passages in mice in the absence of drug pressure and there was a significant reduction in the degree of resistance.
5 citations
TL;DR: The diagnostic process and treatment of HIV/AIDS is explored, with a focus on some practical aspects on the care of HIV-infected people in the developing world.
Abstract: This article focuses on some practical aspects on the care of HIV-infected people in the developing world. Perception of HIV infection is changing. In developing countries health care providers have the ethical obligation to care for HIV patients even with the scarcity of resources. Considering the complex administrative medical political economic and ethical issues involved in providing care a national strategy with treatment guidelines is an important component of AIDS programs. Moreover constraints in resources and the local sociocultural aspects should be taken into account when choosing strategies. Treatment strategies should emphasize a compassionate low technology and cost-effective care. This paper explores on the diagnostic process and treatment of HIV/AIDS. To maximize efficiency and ensure treatment continuity care of HIV patients should observe the following levels of care: home and community-based care HIV clinic care and in-patient care. Though there is no cure for HIV infection the disease can be treated thereby improving the overall quality of life of the patient provided there is a will love and compassion on the part of caregivers.
4 citations
TL;DR: The survival rates of humus-feeding Cubitermes Testaceus (Williams) workers were determined in relation to soil organic matter content and possible reasons for termite workers’ survival are discussed.
Abstract: The survival rates of humus-feeding Cubitermes Testaceus (Williams) workers were determined in relation to soil organic matter content. Field collected termites survived for 15.5 days when fed on soil with the highest content of organic matter (5.1%) and for 8.1 days when fed on soil with the lowest content of organic matter (3.2%). Possible reasons for termite workers’ survival are discussed.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Il est vrai que les extraits ethanoliques de Khaya ne sont pas aussi toxiques pour les mollusques que ceux de plusieurs autres plantes deja rapportes.
Abstract: Il est vrai que les extraits ethanoliques de Khaya ne sont pas aussi toxiques pour les mollusques que ceux de plusieurs autres plantes deja rapportes. Mais attaques de specifications de l'OMS pour qu'une plante se modifie comme molluscicide, Khaya peut etre ajoute a la liste des plantes qui doivent developpees comme molluscicides pour les regions rurales endemiques