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Preben Aavitsland

Publications and source records attributed to Preben Aavitsland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[HIV-infection in Norway before 2006].

BACKGROUND: Our goal is to give an epidemiological description of the HIV epidemic in Norway until 2006, with emphasis on the decade 1996 - 2005. METHODS: We analysed data from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. In this system, the year of infection has been estimated using results of previous tests and other information. We can thus measure an annual minimum incidence of HIV infection. RESULTS: Before 2006, HIV infection had been diagnosed in 3263 persons in Norway. Persons who had been heterosexually infected before arrival in Norway and homosexual men account for one third of the total each, while injecting drug users and persons who have been heterosexually infected while living in Norway comprise one sixth each. Each year for the last few years about 50 persons have been infected homosexually, 20 heterosexually and 10 by injecting drug use. In addition, every year at least 100 heterosexually infected immigrants have arrived in Norway. INTERPRETATION: The HIV epidemic is considerable in Norway, although far from the prospects one had 20 years ago. The prevention of HIV infection must continue. Presently, prevention among homosexual men should be prioritised. In addition, continued measures are needed among injecting drug users and men who engage with casual sex partners in countries with a high prevalence of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2006

A large community outbreak of waterborne giardiasis-delayed detection in a non-endemic urban area.

BACKGROUND: Giardia is not endemic in Norway, and more than 90% of reported cases acquire the infection abroad. In late October 2004, an increase in laboratory confirmed cases of giardiasis was reported in the city of Bergen. An investigation was started to determine the source and extent of the outbreak in order to implement control measures. METHODS: Cases were identified through the laboratory conducting giardia diagnostics in the area. All laboratory-confirmed cases were mapped based on address of residence, and attack rates and relative risks were calculated for each water supply zone. A case control study was conducted among people living in the central area of Bergen using age- and sex matched controls randomly selected from the population register. RESULTS: The outbreak investigation showed that the outbreak started in late August and peaked in early October. A total of 1300 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported. Data from the Norwegian Prescription Database gave an estimate of 2500 cases treated for giardiasis probably linked to the outbreak. There was a predominance of women aged 20-29 years, with few children or elderly. The risk of infection for persons receiving water from the water supply serving Bergen city centre was significantly higher than for those receiving water from other supplies. Leaking sewage pipes combined with insufficient water treatment was the likely cause of the outbreak. CONCLUSION: Late detection contributed to the large public health impact of this outbreak. Passive surveillance of laboratory-confirmed cases is not sufficient for timely detection of outbreaks with non-endemic infections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[A medical ritual].

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Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2005

[Presentation of statistical analysis in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association].

The present paper describes guidelines for the presentation of statistical analysis in manuscripts submitted to the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association, in order to ensure a reasonable standard of statistic presentation in the journal. The paper is a supplement to the guidelines for authors in the journal and should not be used as replacement for statistics manuals.

Guidelines as Topic↗
PubMed2005

[Pure routine].

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Cross Infection↗
PubMed2004

Gastro-enteritis outbreak among Nordic patients with psoriasis in a health centre in Gran Canaria, Spain: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Between November 2 and 10, 2002 several patients with psoriasis and personnel staying in the health centre in Gran Canaria, Spain fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting or both. Patient original came from Norway, Sweden and Finland. The patient group was scheduled to stay until 8 November. A new group of patients were due to arrive from 7 November. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the extent of the outbreak, to identify the source and mode of transmission and to prevent similar problems in the following group. RESULTS: Altogether 41% (48/116) of persons staying at the centre fell ill. Norovirus infection was suspected based on clinical presentations and the fact that no bacteria were identified. Kaplan criteria were met. Five persons in this outbreak were hospitalised and the mean duration of diarrhoea was 3 days. The consequences of the illness were more severe compared to many other norovirus outbreaks, possibly because many of the cases suffered from chronic diseases and were treated with drugs reported to affect the immunity (methotrexate or steroids). During the two first days of the outbreak, the attack rate was higher in residents who had consumed dried fruit (adjusted RR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4-7.1) and strawberry jam (adjusted RR = 1.9; 95% CI: 0.9-4.1) than those who did not. In the following days, no association was found. The investigation suggests two modes of transmission: a common source for those who fell ill during the two first days of the outbreak and thereafter mainly person to person transmission. This is supported by a lower risk associated with the two food items at the end of the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the food items were contaminated by foodhandlers who reported sick before the outbreak started. Control measures were successfully implemented; food buffets were banned, strict hygiene measures were implemented and sick personnel stayed at home >48 hours after last symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 in west Africa: intervention strategy for an outbreak in Sierra Leone.

In November 1999, a Médecins Sans Frontières team based in the southeastern part of Sierra Leone reported an increased number of cases of bloody diarrhoea. Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 (Sd1) was isolated in the early cases. A total of 4218 cases of dysentery were reported in Kenema district from December, 1999, to March, 2000. The overall attack rate was 7.5%. The attack rate was higher among children younger than 5 years than in the rest of the population (11.2% vs 6.8%; relative risk=1.6; 95% CI 1.5-1.8). The case fatality was 3.1%, also higher for children younger than 5 years (6.1% vs 2.1%; relative risk=2.9; 95% CI 2.1-4.1]). Among 583 patients regarded at increased risk of death who were treated with ciprofloxacin in isolation centres, case fatality was 0.9%. A 5-day ciprofloxacin regimen, targeted to the most severe cases of bloody diarrhoea, was highly effective. This is the first time a large outbreak caused by Sd1 has been reported in west Africa.

Anti-Infective Agents↗