Suchergebnisse

The federal and provincial governments have undertaken a universal immunization program to protect school-aged girls against cervical cancer using the new human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil®. While the vaccine appears to be effective and safe, there are a number of important unanswered questions regarding it and the effects of the immunization program. Here we briefly review key literature about the vaccine and then use the Erickson criteria, which offer an evidence basis for decision-making regarding national immunization strategies, to evaluate whether the program is congruent with sound public health policy. Our analysis of the national decision to recommend and fund a vaccination program using Gardasil® raises significant questions about the basis for this program.

Pakistan has made strides over the last decade in its Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) response, with active surveillance, considerable research, both governmental and non?governmental prevention and care activities, and treatment since 2005 to 2006. However, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) has not declined, coverage of current prevention and treatment programs remains limited and the gains made to date are threatened by internal and external factors. This report attempts to review and synthesize available data on HIV in Pakistan and to use these data to suggest strategic priorities for the next phase of the HIV response in an effort to improve the allocative efficiency of resources and effective and efficient implementation of the response. This report presents an integrated model for HIV services delivery that depicts a continuum of care from prevention outreach to treatment with a focus on evidence based interventions and strong linkages. It describes three potential models for Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT) services for most at risk populations that increase outreach and engagement with PWID, hijra communities, and Male Sex Workers (MSWs), and their clients. It also places heavy emphasis on evidence based approaches to prevention including expanding treatment for High Risk Groups (HRGs) and improving the linkages for HIV positive and HIV negative PWID for drug treatment services, such as Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT), and outlines the steps for an evidenced based, effective and efficient policy response at a time of shrinking resources for HIV in overall low prevalence settings. This report is organized as follows: chapter one gives introduction; chapter two presents epidemiology methods; chapter three gives country context; chapter four presents status of HIV epidemic; chapter five gives summary of key findings; chapter six deals with systems response to HIV and AIDS in Pakistan; chapter seven gives key policy recommendations; and chapter eight gives conclusion.

Abstract Background Two planned trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis tenofovir in Cambodia and Cameroon to prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations were closed due to activist pressure on host country governments. The international news media contributed substantially as the primary source of knowledge transfer regarding the trials. We aimed to characterize the nature of reporting, specifically focusing on the issues identified by media reports regarding each trial. Methods With the aid of an information specialist, we searched 3 electronic media databases, 5 electronic medical databases and extensively searched the Internet. In addition we contacted stakeholder groups. We included media reports addressing the trial closures, the reasons for the trial closures, and who was interviewed. We extracted data using content analysis independently, in duplicate. Results We included 24 reports on the Cambodian trial closure and 13 reports on the Cameroon trial closure. One academic news account incorrectly reported that it was an HIV vaccine trial that closed early. The primary reasons cited for the Cambodian trial closure were: a lack of medical insurance for trial related injuries (71%); human rights considerations (71%); study protocol concerns (46%); general suspicions regarding trial location (37%) and inadequate prevention counseling (29%). The primary reasons cited for the Cameroon trial closure were: inadequate access to care for seroconverters (69%); participants not sufficiently informed of risks (69%); inadequate number of staff (46%); participants being exploited (46%) and an unethical study design (38%). Only 3/23 (13%) reports acknowledged interviewing research personnel regarding the Cambodian trial, while 4/13 (30.8%) reports interviewed researchers involved in the Cameroon trial. Conclusion Our review indicates that the issues addressed and validity of the media reports of these trials is highly variable. Given the potential impact of the media in formulation of health policy related to HIV, efforts are needed to effectively engage the media during periods of controversy in the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Abstract

Background
High levels of gender-based violence (GBV) persist among conflict-affected populations and within humanitarian settings and are paralleled by under-reporting and low service utilization. Novel and evidence-based approaches are necessary to change the current state of GBV amongst these populations. We present the findings of qualitative research, which were used to inform the development of a screening tool as one potential strategy to identify and respond to GBV for females in humanitarian settings.


Methods
Qualitative research methods were conducted from January-February 2011 to explore the range of experiences of GBV and barriers to reporting GBV among female refugees. Individual interview participants (n=37) included female refugees (≥15 years), who were survivors of GBV, living in urban or one of three camps settings in Ethiopia, and originating from six conflict countries. Focus group discussion participants (11 groups; 77 participants) included health, protection and community service staff working in the urban or camp settings. Interviews and discussions were conducted in the language of preference, with assistance by interpreters when needed, and transcribed for analysis by grounded-theory technique.


Results
Single and multiple counts of GBV were reported and ranged from psychological and social violence; rape, gang rape, sexual coercion, and other sexual violence; abduction; and physical violence. Domestic violence was predominantly reported to occur when participants were living in the host country. Opportunistic violence, often manifested by rape, occurred during transit when women depended on others to reach their destination. Abduction within the host country, and often across borders, highlighted the constant state of vulnerability of refugees. Barriers to reporting included perceived and experienced stigma in health settings and in the wider community, lack of awareness of services, and inability to protect children while mothers sought services.


Conclusions
Findings demonstrate that GBV persists across the span of the refugee experience, though there is a transition in the range of perpetrators and types of GBV that are experienced. Further, survivors experience significant individual and system barriers to disclosure and service utilization. The findings suggest that routine GBV screening by skilled service providers offers a strategy to confidentially identify and refer survivors to needed services within refugee settings, potentially enabling survivors to overcome existing barriers.

Abstract Background Many Tibetan refugees flee Tibet in order to escape physical and mental hardships, and to access the freedoms to practice their culture and religion. We aimed to determine the prevalence of mental illnesses within the refugee population and determine the prevalence of previous torture reported within this population. Methods We performed a systematic literature search of 10 electronic databases from inception to May 2005. In addition, we searched the internet, contacted all authors of located studies, and contacted the Tibetan Government-in-exile, to locate unpublished studies. We included any study reporting on prevalence of mental illness within the Tibetan refugee populations. We determined study quality according to validation, translation, and interview administration. We calculated proportions with exact confidence intervals. Results Five studies that met our inclusion criteria (total n = 410). All studies were conducted in North India and 4 were specifically in adult populations. Four studies provided details on the prevalence of torture and previous imprisonment within the populations. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder ranged from 11–23%, anxiety ranged from 25–77%, and major depression ranged from 11.5–57%. Conclusion Our review indicates that the prevalence of serious mental health disorders within this population is elevated. The reported incidence of torture and imprisonment is a possible contributor to the illnesses. Non-government organizations and international communities should be aware of the human rights abuses being levied upon this vulnerable population and the mental health outcomes that may be associated with it.

The accurate interpretation of mortality surveys in humanitarian crises is useful for both public health responses and security responses. Recent examples suggest that few medical personnel and researchers can accurately interpret the validity of a mortality survey in these settings. Using an example of a mortality survey from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we demonstrate important methodological considerations that readers should keep in mind when reading a mortality survey to determine the validity of the study and the applicability of the findings to their settings.