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Biomedical subjects

D R Hopkins

Publications and source records attributed to D R Hopkins.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Yaws in Ghana.

The final results of a three-year campaign against yaws in the Republic of Ghana, which was introduced in an attempt to reduce an unusually high prevalence, are summarized. The campaign started in January 1981 and officially ended in December 1983. Serious economic and technical constraints slowed the progress of work after the first year and reduced the total population covered. In spite of the shortcomings, the program provided penicillin treatment to 77,818 patients with active yaws (4.04% of those examined during the campaign) as well as chemoprophylaxis for an additional 1,556,360 contacts. The campaign staff compiled detailed information on the epidemiology of yaws in Ghana. A second attack phase using simple equipment and vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles could be implemented with greater efficiency and could reduce costs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of the control of endemic treponemal diseases in Ghana on other diseases.

A program for control of yaws and yellow fever in the Republic of Ghana was initiated with the aims of reducing the sharp increase in the prevalence of yaws and preventing epidemics of yellow fever. In addition, the program included health education and mass immunization with single doses of measles, tetanus, and tuberculosis vaccines. An evaluation of the first three years of the program indicates that the multidisciplinary approach has benefited a large segment of the population, which previously has had little or no access to medical care. This control program has also had an impact on other diseases and conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Control of yaws and other endemic treponematoses: implementation of vertical and/or integrated programs.

Previous mass campaigns against the endemic treponematoses have taught investigators several lessons that, along with current constraints and altered circumstances, must be considered in the formulation of a contemporary strategy for the control or eradication of yaws, endemic syphilis, or pinta. A time-limited, vertical approach is necessary in highly endemic areas initially to reduce the level of transmission. Elsewhere, control activities should be integrated into other primary health care interventions, especially health education, water and sanitation programs, maternal and child health care, and provision of essential drugs. Control of the endemic treponematoses is an ideal means of strengthening primary health care in endemic areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Four-week supplementation with a natural dietary compound produces favorable changes in body composition.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a natural dietary supplement produced favorable changes in body composition during a 4-week diet- and-exercise program. The active compound contains a patented combination of chromium picolinate, inulin, capsicum, L-phenylalanine, and other lipotropic nutrients. A double-blind, weight-loss intervention design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to either a diet/exercise/supplement group (n = 56) or a diet/exercise/placebo group (n = 67). Caloric intake was reduced to 1500 kcal/d and participants walked for 45 minutes, 5 days a week, to attain between 60% and 80% of predicted maximal heart rate. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed significant differences (P < .05) between groups in percent body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass; no significant differences were found (P > .05) in body weight, body mass index, or energy intake. Independent t tests showed no significant differences (P > .05) in diet composition between groups. Results indicate that the addition of a natural dietary supplement during a 4-week diet-and-exercise weight-loss program accelerates the rate of body fat loss and helps maintain fat-free mass (lean tissue), thereby producing favorable changes in body composition.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Public health measures for prevention and control of AIDS.

The grave challenge posed by the recent pandemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is not the first time mankind has faced such a threat. Useful lessons may be drawn from the successful global Smallpox Eradication Program and applied to the current campaign in the areas of surveillance, strategy, operations, and evaluation. The most important epidemiologic characteristic of this new infection is the unprecedented observation that virtually all asymptomatic infected persons are infectious and will remain so indefinitely. In combatting this infection we should concentrate our efforts in the United States on preventing transmission from the estimated 1.5 million persons who are already infected. We must make the best use we can of all the tools we already have: public information, health education, counseling and serologic testing of persons at high risk, treatment and prevention of intravenous drug abuse, and serologic screening of organ and tissue donors. Adequate confidentiality of test results needs to be secured in order to promote voluntary testing as an important means of achieving behavorial change among persons who are most likely to have been exposed to the infections. Persons whose sexual or drug abuse behavior puts them at higher risk of infection are the highest priority target group. They should be sought at every opportunity, whether seen in public clinics or private practice, and advised to be tested. In order to focus on preventing sexual, parenteral, and perinatal transmission of the virus we must avoid numerous potential distractions and irrelevant issues: we don't have time for them.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS in minority populations in the United States.

Among ethnic minorities in the United States, blacks and Hispanics, who compose 12 percent and 7 percent of the U.S. population, respectively, constitute 24 percent and 14 percent of the cases of AIDS. Seventy-eight percent of all children with AIDS are black or Hispanic, as are 71 percent of all women with AIDS. In the black and Hispanic communities, intravenous (IV) drug abuse is associated with much of the AIDS transmission, and parenterally acquired infections are spread secondarily by sexual and perinatal transmission. Almost two-thirds of black and Hispanic persons with AIDS in the United States reside in New York, New Jersey, or Florida. Important differences in the understanding of AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus infection and control measures in minority communities must be considered in devising information and intervention programs for those communities. Programs intended specifically for minorities, especially greatly intensified prevention and treatment of IV drugs abuse, are needed to supplement programs aimed at the U.S. population in general. Combatting AIDS offers black and Hispanic populations an opportunity to greatly reduce IV drug abuse, other sexually transmitted diseases, and teenage pregnancy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗