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Biomedical subjects

B Somaini

Publications and source records attributed to B Somaini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Medical examination of asylum seekers at entry].

It was the purpose of this analysis to summarize the salient findings made with the initial medical examination of asylum seekers in Switzerland. The evaluation covered the period from 1984 to 1987. The epidemiologic impact of diseases discovered by this screening and the logistic problems encountered with the decentralization of the program have required a modification and a reassessment of the necessary measures. As a consequence, indiscriminate stool examinations for bacteria and parasites have been abandoned. These examinations had required a considerable investment which is not considered to be justified by the limited epidemiologic significance of these intestinal pathogens. More emphasis is being placed on improved tuberculosis control measures, by providing concise guidelines for screening, prevention, and treatment. A simplified procedure for hepatitis B screening is to be maintained for the time being, conditional upon special emphasis on children, adolescents and adults of reproductive age groups. Hepatitis B vaccination of seronegative persons is a part of the standard basic immunization program. The core of the screening program and the delivery of initial preventive measures is to be carried out in the federal registration and transit centers for asylum seekers.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1990

Malaria chemoprophylaxis among European tourists in tropical Africa: use, adverse reactions, and efficacy.

In order to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria prophylaxis, as well as its side-effects and efficacy, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to European travellers on return flights from tropical Africa to Europe. Between 1985 and 1988 the questionnaire was completed by 44,472 passengers (80.1% of those on board) on 242 flights. A follow-up questionnaire was completed by 42,202 (94.9%) of the same travellers 3 months later. Almost all knew about the risk of malaria, but 10% relied solely on advice from nonmedical sources. While 55.6% had taken at least one measure against mosquito bites, only 4.5% adopted three such measures (used repellents and insecticides and wore long clothing after dusk). Compliance with chemoprophylaxis use was reported by 57.0% of travellers who spent less than 3 months in Africa, compared with 29.2% who stayed 3-12 months. Depending on the antimalaria regimen taken, 11-44% of the travellers experienced adverse effects, while four deaths were attributed to the chemoprophylaxis. The incidence of malaria per month of exposure for travellers who took no chemoprophylaxis was 15.2 per 1000 in East Africa and 24.2 per 1000 in West Africa. In East Africa, the prophylactic efficacy of the currently recommended antimalaria regimens (relative to that of no chemoprophylaxis) was zero for a chloroquine dosage of 300 mg base per week (4 malaria fatalities), 64.1% for a chloroquine dosage of 600 mg base per week (P = 0.03), and 94.0% for mefloquine (P = 0.003).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Mortality in influenza epidemics in Switzerland 1969-1985].

In Switzerland from 1969-1985, 9 out of 11 influenza epidemics were associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality. A total of 12,202 excess deaths from all causes was identified. Expected deaths were forecast for each epidemic period separately for 4 age groups using Fourier and Arima modeling. 75.7% of all-cause excess deaths occurred in age group 70 to 89 and 5.1% in age group 1-59. In the 70-89 years old group the excess mortality risk during influenza epidemics was 271.6 per 100,000, whereas in age group 1-59 it was only 1.7 per 100,000. Only 40% of all excess deaths had been ascribed to acute respiratory conditions. Influenza viruses A H3N2 were the most frequently identified agents. In some instances mortality increased before the morbidity reports of the Swiss practitioners indicated the occurrence of an epidemic. Also, morbidity reporting decreased over successive years. A decrease in mortality following the epidemics was not observed. A more complete vaccination of high risk patients in Switzerland is desirable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Malaria in Switzerland: 1982-1986].

There has been no decrease in the number of cases of malaria brought into Switzerland. 841 cases were reported to the Federal Office of Public Health between 1982 and 1986, a figure probably below the actual number of cases. Reports were received from all cantons and the majority involve Swiss travellers. 54% of the cases were due to P. falciparum and 90% of these could be traced to a stay in tropical or subtropical Africa, particularly Kenya, where it was possible to determine the attack rate and to compare it with the risk in Thailand. An enquiry into prophylaxis disclosed how slowly the latest recommendations on preventive measures against malaria are being adopted, and the importance of keeping a close watch on regions where resistance or multiresistance has developed. Systematic reporting is essential to control and also permits the recommendation of appropriate preventive measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

AIDS in central Europe.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[Epidemiology and prevention of AIDS in the population].

Routes of transmission of HIV which play an important role in the population are known. Sexual transmission, infection through needle sharing by i.v. drug addicts, accidental blood contacts and transmission from the infected pregnant mother to her child are seen. The number of new infections depends on the number of already infected individuals, the rapidity of spread and the spread potential. The infection can be rapidly spread among drug addicts, several drug users may be infected at the same time through needle sharing. In the general population the spread potential through sexual transmission is high. The AIDS prevention campaign in Switzerland aims at preventing new infections and at building up solidarity. With the STOP-AIDS campaign a broad effect in the population could be reached. The most important goals in the near future are to have an effect in depth in some target groups and to promote individual counselling.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[The role of registries in the surveillance of transmissible diseases].

Registries are among the oldest methods used in public health for epidemiological surveillance and decision making in the area of communicable diseases. Although other sources of data are now available in many developed countries, registries still provide important information. This article reviews the main aims and characteristics of modern registries, providing several examples of current epidemiological problems. Practical advantages and disadvantages of registries are also discussed, as well as some developmental perspectives in this area.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1987

Campaign against AIDS in Switzerland: evaluation of a nationwide educational programme.

The campaign against the spread of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Switzerland includes a nationwide educational programme. A booklet about AIDS was mailed to every Swiss household in March 1986, and in 1987 there has been a mass media campaign promoting the use of condoms. We evaluated the results of the first phase--the distribution of the booklet--using a separate sample pretest and post-test design. The pretest was carried out 15 days before the booklet was mailed (sample n = 1056) and the post-test two months after the booklet was mailed (n = 1278). Of the population aged 20-69, to whom the book was sent, 56% read the booklet. For those who read the booklet compared with those who did not the results showed an improvement in knowledge and a better understanding of the risks of specific behaviours and of exposed groups and thus less fear of becoming infected through daily activities. The mean indices of knowledge and beliefs were significantly different when tested by the Kruskal-Wallis method. Having better information does not imply that people will change their behaviour, but both the high reading rate and the increase in knowledge suggest that the Swiss educational programme reached its objectives. Moreover, the success of this campaign helps to support other campaigns that are being developed to promote the use of condoms.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of malaria prophylaxis in American and Swiss travelers to Kenya.

The protective effect of malaria chemoprophylaxis with either Fansidar (pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine) or chloroquine was estimated by determining the attack rates of Plasmodium falciparum infections acquired in Kenya and imported by U.S. and Swiss travelers who had used no chemoprophylaxis, who had used only chloroquine for prophylaxis, and who had used Fansidar weekly, either alone or in combination with chloroquine. The estimated attack rates were almost identical in U.S. and Swiss travelers. The attack rate per 100,000 travelers averaged 280 in those who did not use chemoprophylaxis, 162 in those who took 4-aminoquinolines (P greater than .05), and 27 in those who used Fansidar for prophylaxis (P less than .001). Non-immune travelers to Kenya have an appreciable risk of acquiring a P. falciparum infection and need to be informed of current guidelines for chemoprophylaxis. The changing drug susceptibility patterns in Africa require continuous evaluation of the efficacy of recommended drug regimens for malaria prophylaxis.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1986

[AIDS: an imported disease?].

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) has been known for 5 years. The first few cases in Switzerland were observed in persons infected outside the country, but this has changed in the last 2 years. The infectious agent is transmitted by sexual intercourse and by sharing of blood contaminated needles and syringes of drug addicts, two factors which are also responsible for most of the virus transmissions in Switzerland. From some African countries there are reports of a high transmission rate probably caused by prostitution.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

[Morbidity detection in general practice].

A system of morbidity registration in the domain of primary health care is presented on the basis of experiences made abroad. A pilot project (Sentinella) functions in the environments of Berne since November 1984. Its extension to the whole of Switzerland is scheduled for the middle of 1986.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1985

[Typhus epidemiology in Switzerland 1980-1983. Slight or lack of effectiveness of the live vaccine Vivotif in tropical travel].

214 cases of typhoid fever (TF) occurring in Switzerland between January 1980 and December 1984 were analyzed for travel history, vaccine status and nationality. A subgroup of Swiss tourists who acquired TF in India was compared to a sample of healthy Swiss tourists who travelled to India in 1983 to determine the factors predisposing to TF. Eighty cases of TF occurred in Swiss tourists to the Third World, of whom 26 had travelled in India. Among the latter, the length of stay was longer than in the control sample of 258 healthy tourists, and "trekking" (travelling off the usual tourist routes with backpacking) was more frequent. 20 of the 80 patients had been vaccinated with the live oral typhoid vaccine Vivotif (strain S. typhi Ty 21a, contained in gelatine capsules, to be taken with bicarbonate capsules), marketed in Switzerland in 1981-1984. Comparison of the vaccination rates in case and control groups indicated that the vaccine efficacy was not significantly different from 0% during the time of observation. This lack of efficacy may be related to inadequate dosage and to the lack of stability of the vaccine. Forty cases of TF occurred in Swiss who had travelled in European countries, of whom 8 had not travelled outside Switzerland. The remaining 94 cases occurred in non-Swiss travellers, a majority of whom were from Mediterranean countries. TF in Switzerland was associated with a history of travel in 96% of cases. The live oral typhoid vaccine Vivotif was ineffective between 1981 and 1983.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carrier State↗