IntroductionAccidental occupational exposure of healthcare workers to blood and body fluids after skin injury or mucous membrane contact constitutes a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Such pathogens include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a study to determine the prevalence and associated factors for percutaneous injuries and splash exposures among health-care workers in Rift Valley provincial hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out from October to November 2010. Self reported incidents, circumstances surrounding occupational exposure and post-exposure management were sought by use of interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple logistic regression (forward stepwise procedure) analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 0.05.ResultsTwenty five percent of health-care workers interviewed (N = 305) reported having been exposed to blood and body fluids in the preceding 12 months. Percutaneous injuries were reported by 19% (n = 305) and splash to mucous membrane by 7.2%. Higher rates of percutaneous injuries were observed among nurses (50%), during stitching (30%), and in obstetric and gynecologic department (22%). Health workers aged below 40 years were more likely to experience percutaneous injuries (OR= 3.7; 95% CI = 1.08-9.13) while previous training in infection prevention was protective (OR= 0.52; 95% CI = 0.03-0.90). Forty eight percent (n = 83) reported the incidents with 20% (n = 83) taking PEP against HIV.ConclusionPercutaneous injuries and splashes are common in Rift Valley Provincial hospital. Preventive measures remain inadequate. Health institutions should have policies, institute surveillance for occupational risks and enhance training of health care workers.

In this study, 50 in-depth interviews were carried out with women from the general population in Thika, Kenya. We explored awareness, attitudes, and behavior toward cervical cancer and screening measures among the women. The concept of the health belief model (HBM) was used to develop the topics for the in-depth interviews. Our findings highlight the lack of awareness of cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection measures as critical barriers that affect women's participation in screening programs. We provide a basis for designing programs that will be acceptable and accessible to a larger population, resulting in a reduced cervical cancer burden.

Oral candidiasis is perhaps the commonest infection seen in HIV disease. The aim of this workshop was to provide a sketch of the multifarious aspects of the disease from a global perspective. To this end the panellists addressed issues such as the virulence of Candida, emergence of antifungal resistance, management of candidiasis and other exotic, oral mycotic diseases. An all-pervasive theme was the dramatic differences in the management of fungal infections consequential to the availability (or the lack) of anti-HIV drugs in the developed and the developing world. Further, the social stigmata associated with the HIV disease in many developing regions in Africa and Asia appears to modify the therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the lesser-known regional variations in the disease manifestations and therapeutic approaches were stark. Further work is direly needed to address these issues.

No abstract

Baelum V, Manfi E, Wanzala P, Eeferskov O: Relationship between CPITN and periodontal attachment loss findings in an adult population. J Clin Periodontol 1995; 22: 146-152. © Munksgaard, 1995. Abstract. This study investigates the relationship between CPITN findings and the prevalence and severity of periodontal attachment loss in a rural Kenyan population comprising 1131 persons aged 15-65 years. All persons were examined for calculus, gingivai bleeding, pocket depths and attachment loss levels on 4 sites of each tooth present. Recordings of bleeding, calculus and pocket depths were used to compute CPITIM scores based on the 10 index teeth originally proposed, and these CPITN scores were subsequently related to the attachment loss findings derived from the full-mouth assessment. In most cases, persons with a CPITN score 2^1 did not have attachment loss >4 mm. However, among 40 + year-old persons with CPITN score 2 over 90% had attachment loss >4 mm and over 50% of the 50+ year-olds with CPITN score 2 had attachment loss >6 mm. Less than 20% of the 15-29 year-olds with CPITN score 3 had attachment loss ^6 mm, and usually the attachment loss levels ranged between 0 and 3 mm. Beyond the age of 35 years over 10"M) of the sextants with CPITN score 0 had attachment loss >4 mm. Below the age of 35 years more than one third of all sextants with CPITN score 3 had attachment loss levels <3 mm. Thus, the CPITN findings overestimate both prevalence and severity of periodontal attachment loss among the younger age groups and underestimate these parameters among elderly subject.