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Biomedical subjects

B Cvjetanović

Publications and source records attributed to B Cvjetanović.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Epidemiology of violence and war.

The magnitude of the threat that violence and war pose to the health, the quality of life, and the very survival of humanity is obvious. A number of scientific disciplines have provided, each through its own methodology, insights into the causation, genesis, and dynamics of violence and war. Although epidemiological and psychological methodologies received priority, the multidisciplinary approach to this problem seems to be the most appropriate. This essay attempts to approach holistically the study of epidemiology of violence and war and the ways of preventing these severe problems of the contemporary society. Conceptual models of the causative mechanisms and dynamics of violence and war, mapping the various psychic, social, and environmental factors, are presented. These models, besides advancing abstract ideas, also provide a concrete framework for determining and exploring the interactions and dynamics of the factors and processes which lead to violence and war. The types of interventions outlined for control and prevention are intended to make an impact upon "critical points" within the dynamics of the process which produces violence and war, and are conceived to be implemented on both the national and international level. The importance of family, community, and school influences is considered, but the role of international organizations, including the United Nations, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations is also stressed. Discussion is focused on the factors which favour peace and hamper aggression, on "internationalization" and global society versus xenophobia and nationalism. The conclusions state that there is sufficient knowhow to devise and implement a reasonable and effective international programme for the control and prevention of violence and war, provided there is adequate public and political willingness and support.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Epidemiological model of hepatitis B with age structure.

Multistate epidemiological model with age structure is constructed on the grounds of natural history of the hepatitis B. Essential epidemiological classes constitute the basis of the model. Epidemiological parameters and the coefficients of transfer among the classes were determined from available information. Uncertainty of infectiousness of some classes of the population was an important constraint in model formulation. Population structure, the distribution of epidemiological classes and other parametric values were rather arbitrarily set but these can be changed as more accurate information becomes available. As new information on natural history may become available this can be incorporated into the present model, with appropriate modifications of its structure. The computer program+ of the model has been written in BASIC language, and can be accommodated within microcomputers. The model is used for simulation of endemic and epidemic situations. It is applied for simulating the natural course of infection as well as the effects of various public health interventions, such as passive and active immunization and/or application of appropriate sanitary and hygienic measures. The cost-effectiveness analysis of various public health control programmes can also be carried out with the model. The model is evaluated through the simulations of actual and hypothetical situations. The model in its present form, permits simulation of the disease dynamics in various populations and epidemic situations. It seems to be a useful tool in the study of hepatitis B dynamics, its epidemic patterns and in the search for the effective and cost-effective, control strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Epidemiological models of poliomyelitis and measles and their application in the planning of immunization programmes.

This report describes the construction and application of epidemiological models of measles and poliomyelitis. In these models, epidemiological classes and their age structure have been based on the natural history of these diseases in the population aged 0 - 19 years. The flow of the population through the classes has been expressed as an equation system suitable for computer interpretation. The models have been used to simulate both the natural course of the diseases and the effect of various immunization schemes. The models were also used to explore prospects for control and eradication of these diseases with specific immunization programmes, and their relative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Immunization during a cerebrospinal meningitis epidemic in the Mongolian People's Republic, 1974-75.

An epidemic of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in the Mongolian People's Republic, starting in 1969, reached its peak in 1974. In that year and in early 1975, 65 000 children in the 0-8-years age group in the main towns and in the provinces were immunized with meningococcal vaccine of serogroup A. The morbidity rates due to CSM were 12 times higher in the non-immunized than in the immunized children. This result demonstrates the value of an immunization programme to control epidemics of CSM.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Prospects for the prevention of bacterial meningitis with polysaccharide vaccines.

MOST SUPPURATIVE INFECTIONS OF THE MENINGES ARE CAUSED BY FIVE BACTERIAL SPECIES: Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and group B streptococcus. The immune response of adults to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides has been studied in great detail and their responses to meningococcal and H. influenzae type b capsular polysaccharides are quite similar. Immune responses of adults to E. coli and group B streptococcal antigens are disappointing. The responses of children below the age of 7 years differ both quantitatively and in duration. Early experience shows that useful antibody titres can be achieved with certain antigens but further studies are required. In order to prevent bacterial meningitis by immunization, three vaccine formulations will need to be developed. When epidemic meningococcal disease occurs in a population, the vaccine containing only components of the meningococcus would be applied to a large segment of the population to terminate the epidemic. The second vaccine would contain components of H. influenzae type b, pneumococcus, and the meningococcus and would be administered in the first year of life, and repeated at suitable intervals to maintain life-long immunity. The third vaccine, designed to prevent neonatal meningitis caused by E. coli K1 and group B streptococci, would be administered to women preferably during the third trimester of pregnancy, so that their offspring would inherit sufficient antibodies to protect them during the first 3 months of life.The vaccine against the meningococcus is a reality and has been used extensively during major epidemics, with excellent results. The two vaccines for control of endemic bacterial meningitides do not exist as yet, but the prospects are good.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

A second controlled field trial of a serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in Alexandria.

The encouraging results of an earlier controlled field trial of the serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the prevention of clinical disease prompted this study, the aim of which was to evaluate further the effectiveness of another lot of this type of vaccine, the duration of immunity, and the effectiveness against meningococcal carriage. A controlled field trial was carried out in early 1973 on 176 646 schoolchildren 6-15 years of age, of whom half received the serogroup A polysaccharide vaccine and the other half tetanus toxoid as a control. The incidence of cerebrospinal meningitis caused by serogroup A meningococci was 89% lower in the immunized group than in the controls for one year only. With regard to its effect on carriage, the vaccine was found to reduce to less than half the rate of new acquisition of serogroup A meningococci during the period immediately following immunization. The duration of the carrier state was also shortened in the immunized group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Rough determination of the cost-benefit balance point of sanitation programmes.

Resources for sanitation programmes in developing countries are limited and therefore must be used judiciously to obtain the best possible effect. Cost-benefit analysis is a tool that permits the better utilization of available resources. A simple method for rough determination of the cost-benefit balance point has been devised which requires little computation. To reduce the computations to a minimum, nomograms have been constructed which require little or no mathematical skill for their use. While the method falls short of perfection, its simplicity makes it useful for a rough evaluation of the benefits from sanitation programmes aimed at disease control in countries whose resources are not available for more sophisticated analysis.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1975

Controlled field trial of a typhoid vaccine prepared with a nonmotile mutant of Salmonella typhi Ty2.

A controlled field trial was performed in Egypt to evaluate a whole cell typhoid vaccine prepared with a nonmotile mutant of S. typhi Ty2 (TNM1) devoid of flagellar antigen. This vaccine did not elicit an H antibody response, but significant Vi and O agglutinin responses were observed. There were 34 typhoid cases among 21 063 six- to seven-year-old children who received the TNM1 vaccine, and 44 cases among 21 017 children in the control group who received tetanus toxoid. These results suggest that TNM1 vaccine does not provide protection against typhoid fever, and that H antigen may be an important component of an effective vaccine.

Child↗
PubMed1975

Controlled field trial on the effectiveness of one and two doses of acetone-inactivated and dried typhoid vaccine.

A controlled field trial was carried out with acetone-dried vaccine on about 35 000 people on the Tongan islands of tongatapu and 'Eua where typhoid fever is endemic. Volunteers were distributed at random into 3 groups, 1 of which received 1 dose of typhoid vaccine and a second 2 doses; the third, a control group, received tetanus toxoid. The population was vaccinated in 1966 and was studied until the end of 1973. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the vaccine was based on cases of typhoid fever that were confirmed by positive blood cultures. Morbidity rates in the 3 groups indicated that the acetone-dried vaccine used was effective and that a single dose of vaccine gave reasonable protection for a short period, but that 2 doses gave greater and longer protection. The results of this trial are compared with those of earlier field and laboratory studies.

Acetone↗
PubMed1973

A controlled field trial of a serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

A controlled field trial of a serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine was conducted at three locations in Egypt during the winter cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) season of 1971-72. The study population consisted of schoolchildren 6-15 years of age. No cases of serogroup A meningococcal CSM occurred in the group of students vaccinated with the test vaccine whereas 8 cases occurred in the control group vaccinated with tetanus toxoid, and 151 cases occurred in an unvaccinated contrast group. The case rate was significantly different between the test and control groups as well as between the test and contrast groups but was similar between the control and contrast groups. The previously demonstrated safety of the vaccine was confirmed. A significant serological response was elicited in the majority of the vaccinated students.

Adolescent↗