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Biomedical subjects

K W Radcliffe

Publications and source records attributed to K W Radcliffe.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Haematospermia.

Haematospermia, blood in the ejaculate, is a symptom which provokes great anxiety in patients due to fears of malignant or sexually transmitted disease. However, there is no evidence from the published literature to associate it with any serious pathology. The large series of cases indicate that investigation is unproductive and that patients do not develop serious disease even after prolonged follow-up. Patients presenting with haematospermia warrant a full physical examination, including rectal examination, but in the absence of physical signs they should then be strongly reassured. Further investigation is unnecessary. Coexistent urological symptoms should be investigated appropriately.

Adolescent↗

HIV infection in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean is a multi-ethnic region with many different cultural differences. The majority of the population is of African descent, but there are also other ethnic groups present such as Indians, Chinese, Syrians and Europeans. The Caribbean region is influenced by countries such as the USA, Great Britain, France and Holland. The countries of the Caribbean have a serious problem with HIV infection and AIDS. The epidemiology of HIV infection in this region, is different from most other parts of the world in that the mode of spread does not easily fit into any of the three WHO patterns. This review shows that the infection initially started in the homosexual/bisexual community, but since then, it has moved to the heterosexual population and this form of contact is now the main mode of transmission of the virus. The Governments of the Caribbean countries have realized the extent of the problem and have taken measures to try to control the epidemic.

Adolescent↗

Preventing pelvic infection after abortion.

Pelvic infection is the commonest complication of legal abortion. The presence of lower genital tract infections increases the risk of complications, and women requesting abortion are at significant risk of harbouring sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Prophylactic antibiotic treatment can decrease the rate of post-abortal sepsis, but the optimum regime is unclear. In particular, patients with Chlamydia trachomatis infection, and bacterial vaginosis would appear to be at increased risk, and detection and treatment of these conditions can lower this risk. The opportunity to screen and treat for STD presents itself in this setting, allowing patients and their sexual contacts to benefit, with a decrease in the infected pool in the community.

Abortion, Legal↗

Access to genitourinary medicine services by women attending a family planning clinic.

The purpose of this study was to assess the need for genitourinary medicine (GUM) referral in family planning clinics (FPC) and to investigate whether women were more likely to attend an appointment if the consultation took place in the FPC or in the GUM clinic. A total of 98 women were referred from the FPC for GUM testing. They were randomly referred to be tested either in a local FPC or in the local GUM clinic. Sixty-three per cent of the 49 women randomized to be tested in the GUM clinic attended the consultation compared to 83% of the 49 women who attended the consultation in the FPC. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Twenty-six per cent of those attending the GUM clinic for testing and 29% of those women attending the FPC had a sexually transmitted disease (STD), that is, excluding candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups. Full GUM testing was successfully carried out in the FPC setting. This study showed that women were less likely to attend for GUM testing if the consultation took place in the GUM clinic compared to the FPC. It is known that there is a need for GUM services to be accessible to FPC attenders (and vice versa). Further research is needed to determine why women are reluctant to attend GUM clinics.

Attitude to Health↗