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PubMed2006

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in suckling piglets in Norway.

Faecal samples from 684 litters of suckling piglets from 100 indoor swine herds from all regions of Norway were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia, using sucrose gradient flotation concentration and immunofluorescent staining. Thirty-one (31%) herds and 57 (8.3%) litters tested positive for Cryptosporidium, while 10 (1.5%) litters in 10 different herds (10%) tested positive for Giardia. Molecular characterisation of nine Cryptosporidium isolates demonstrated both C. suis and Cryptosporidium sp. pig genotype II. There was significantly more diarrhoea among the Cryptosporidium positive piglets than among the Cryptosporidium negative piglets. Diarrhoea was not observed amongst litters in which Cryptosporidium sp. pig genotype II was found. There was a significant difference in the Cryptosporidium prevalence between litters from different geographical areas of Norway. This study demonstrates that both Cryptosporidium (C. suis and Cryptosporidium sp. pig genotype II) and Giardia infections are prevalent among suckling piglets in Norway.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mitochondrial DNA variation of Gyrodactylus spp (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) populations infecting Atlantic salmon, grayling, and rainbow trout in Norway and Sweden.

Approximately 800 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene were sequenced from 76 Gyrodactylus specimens of 32 salmonid host populations, i.e. from Salmo salar, Thymallus thymallus, and Oncorhynchus mykiss in Norway, Sweden and Latvia. The COI sequences indicated a substantial intraspecific differentiation of Gyrodactylus salaris and Gyrodactylus thymalli. In total, 12 haplotypes were identified which group into five well supported clades, three clades with parasites from Atlantic salmon and two clades with parasites from grayling. The basal nodes linking the five clades together are only weakly supported. Thus, there is no support for the monophyly of all G. salaris haplotypes and the monophyly of all G. thymalli haplotypes. The lack of monophyly of the mitochondrial haplotypes of G. salaris and G. thymalli may indicate that G. salaris and G. thymalli represent (i). two polytypic species or (ii). one polytypic species, or (iii). refer to a complex of more than two sibling species. The mtDNA data indicate multiple introductions of G. salaris and G. thymalli into Norway. A minimum of three independent introductions of G. salaris and two independent introductions of G. thymalli are supported. This is congruent with earlier hypotheses on the introduction of G. salaris and G. thymalli into Norway.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Lead in primary teeth from Norway: changes in lead levels from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Lead is one of the most important and widely distributed pollutants in the environment. In the human population children are particularly at risk. Local dentists in all 19 counties in Norway collected 2746 primary teeth from 1990 to 1994. Tooth substance from whole, ground teeth were analyzed for lead concentration by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The geometrical mean for the entire material was 1.27 micrograms lead/g tooth substance (S.D. 1.87). The mean lead levels in each of the counties were significantly lower than those obtained in a corresponding study in the 1970s. Two counties, Oslo and Vest-Agder, had significantly higher lead levels than the majority of the other counties. Tooth lead concentration and atmospheric deposition of lead in the same areas were significantly and positively correlated, as shown by analysis of naturally growing moss. We conclude that lead concentrations in primary teeth from children in Norway have been reduced by approx. 50% from the 1970s to the 1990s. The reduction probably reflects a decrease in the environmental lead burden in Norway.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Radioactive fallout in Norway from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests.

Historical data on radioactivity in air and precipitation samples have been collected and analysed from study sites in Norway. The purpose of the study was to investigate the correlation between air concentration, precipitation and deposition, and identify areas with high deposition. Areas with high precipitation have been compared with monitoring stations in other countries. The base line data contain measurements of total beta in air and precipitation on a daily basis for the period 1956-1982. Radioactive fallout correlated strongly with annual precipitation which varies from 280 to 4200mm per year in Norway. The deposition of 137Cs was calculated to be 3.23+/-1.20kBq/m2 per 1,000 mm precipitation for the period 1955-1975. Also, the relationship between total beta and 137Cs has been investigated, in order to estimate the age of fallout. The age of fallout in Norway ranges from 3 to 9 months during the test periods, which is considerably shorter than the global average, where the mean residence time for debris in the lower stratosphere is estimated to be 1.3 years. There is no evidence of local fallout from tests on Novaya Zemlya reaching Norwegian areas.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1998

Socioeconomic inequalities in health expectancy in Finland and Norway in the late 1980s.

Studies on health inequalities have usually focused either on mortality or on morbidity. This concerns national studies as well as international comparisons of health inequalities. This paper seeks to bridge the gap by applying health expectancy as a synthetic overall measure of health. The purpose of the study is to compare socioeconomic inequalities in health expectancy in Finland and Norway in the late 1980s. Additionally, the major methodological issues in the use of health expectancy in the study of health inequalities are identified. Data on mortality by level of education derive from linked national follow-up studies (1986-1990) of population censuses. Data on the prevalence of morbidity by level of education derive from nationally representative surveys of the noninstitutionalised adult population in 1985/87. Persons aged 25-74 years were included. Four measures of morbidity were used: limiting long-standing illness, extremely limiting long-standing illness, functional disabilities and perceived less than good health. The association between mortality/morbidity and level of education in each 5-year age/sex group was determined by a regression-based method. Partial life expectancies and partial health expectancies for ages 25-74 were then calculated by using the mortality quotients and morbidity prevalences predicted by the regression model for those at the top and the bottom of the educational hierarchy in each 5-year age group, using an application of the method first presented by Sullivan. Although various measures of health expectancy were used, the result were consistent. In absolute terms the size of socioeconomic inequalities in health expectancy in Finland and Norway is on the same level. In relative terms, however, the size of inequalities in health expectancy is greater in Norway. If one considers premature mortality to be more severe than any indicator of morbidity, the mortality morbidity mix of the health inequalities is less favourable to Finland, since the size of absolute inequalities in mortality is greater in Finland. Health expectancy measures provide a promising measure for assessing and comparing the pattern and the size of health inequalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antibiotic resistance of pneumococci in Norway.

A collection of 178 pneumococcal isolates found in Norway during the period 1987-1994 were tested for their susceptibility to benzylpenicillin, macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, spiramycin), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin), imipenem, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin by a standard agar dilution procedure. To benzylpenicillin, two strains (1%) showed resistance and 14 strains (8%) intermediate susceptibility. Towards erythromycin, eight strains (4%) showed resistance and four strains (2%) intermediate susceptibility. Cross-resistance was demonstrated among the macrolides. Among the fluoroquinolones, intermediate susceptibility occurred with 42% of the isolates for sparfioxacin and 90% for ciprofloxacin; to the latter 5.1% proved resistant. The sum of intermediate and highly resistant isolates was 53% for chloramphenicol. Both penicillin-resistant strains were isolated during the last 2 years of collection and came from patients of non-Norwegian ethnic background. Imported strains appeared over represented among the strains resistant to penicillin and macrolides. Only imipenem and vancomycin showed full susceptibility for all pneumococci tested. An over representation of serogroup 6 strains was apparent among the strains with intermediate susceptibility and high resistance to benzylpenicillin. It is apparent that high-level resistance has, not so far, become a difficult problem in Norway. Nevertheless, the situation requires monitoring of the resistance level, particularly in meningitis and septic patients, and certainly in patients who cntail a higher than usual possibility of acquiring pneumococci from pools of resistant strains outside Norway (visitors, immigrants and recent returness from abroad).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

Lifestyle-related characteristics of young low-meat consumers and omnivores in Sweden and Norway.

PURPOSE: To compare the lifestyle-related characteristics of low-meat consumer and omnivore adolescents in Sweden and Norway. METHODS: A total of 2041 students (578 from Umeå, Sweden; 504 from Stockholm, Sweden; and 959 from Bergen, Norway), with a mean age of 15.5 years, completed a questionnaire. Information was collected about physical characteristics, and health, family situation, social, exercise, alcohol, and tobacco habits. The response rate was 95% in Umeå, 91% in Stockholm, and 83% in Bergen. Statistical analyses included Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There was no reported difference between low-meat consumers and omnivores with respect to alcohol use, smoking, weight, or amount of exercise. Female low-meat consumers more frequently used smokeless tobacco, reported having more sick days during the last year, attached less importance to "being healthy," and had been depressed more often than female omnivores. Male low-meat consumers reported, to a greater extent than male omnivores, having been tired without reason, having often had headaches and having been depressed. Female low-meat consumers had parents with a higher average level of education than did female omnivores and more often spent time with friends after school. CONCLUSIONS: Vegetarianism or low-meat consumption is mainly a female phenomenon among adolescents in this study. The study indicates that the lifestyle of young low-meat consumers differs from the lifestyle found in previous studies of vegetarians with respect to the respondents' exercise habits, their perception of their own health, and their use of alcohol and tobacco. Contrary to findings from other studies, adherence to a low-meat diet may not correlate with other health promotion practices among adolescents in Sweden and Norway.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial respiratory pathogens from Norway is low.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the degree of bacterial susceptibility to the most commonly used drugs for respiratory infections in Norway, and to find if bacterial resistance is emerging. METHODS: Clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and group A streptococci from respiratory tract specimens and from the eye were collected from different parts of Norway during two study periods. During the first period (1993-1994), three laboratories, covering 15% of the Norwegian population, participated. During the second study period in 1997, five laboratories, covering 27% of the population, collected respiratory isolates. In total, 494 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 696 isolates of H. influenzae and 694 isolates of group A streptococci were included in the study. The study population comprised children and adults attending hospital and general practice. Bacterial susceptibility was determined by the E test, and breakpoints were according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial resistance was low, and we observed no significant increase in bacterial resistance between the two study periods. In 1997, only 0.6% of pneumococci had decreased susceptibility to penicillin, 1.6% of group A streptococci were resistant to erythromycin, and 6.7% of all isolates of H. influenzae produced beta-lactamase. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of antibiotic resistance in respiratory pathogens in Norway is low.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Evidence for flavivirus(es) outside of the distribution area for Ixodes ricinus in Norway.

Small rodent (vole) sera were collected from three different locations in Norway. One of these was within the distribution area for Ixodes ricinus, and a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus strain had been isolated from ticks collected there (Traavik & Mehl, 1977). The two other locations were outside the I. ricinus area, one in southern Norway, the other at nearly 70 degrees N. The sera were tested for TBE antibodies by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), hemolysis-in-gel (HIG) and complement fixation (CFT). All sera were also tested for HI antibodies to Uukuniemi (UUK) virus, and some positive TBE HI reactions were verified by separation of immunoglobulins and serum lipoproteins in NaBr gradients. Animals containing TBE virus antibodies reacting in all three serological tests and animals with UUK HI antibodies were detected only from the location within the I. ricinus area. From the two locations outside the I. ricinus area we found animals which had antibodies reacting with TBE virus in HI and HIG, but not in CFT. Antibodies to UUK were not detected. The results indicate that flavivirus(es) related to, but not identical with TBE viruses are transmitted by other vectors than I. ricinus in parts of Norway.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Outbreak of Salmonella Livingstone infection in Norway and Sweden due to contaminated processed fish products.

In Europe, the number of reported sporadic human cases of Salmonella Livingstone infection is low, and outbreaks are rare. We report the largest S. Livingstone outbreak described in the literature having an identified source of infection. In February 2001, an increased incidence of infection caused by S. Livingstone was observed in Norway and Sweden. By July 2001, 44 cases were notified in Norway and 16 in Sweden. The median age was 63 years, and 40 were women. There were three deaths, and 22 patients were hospitalized. Based on standardized questionnaires and retrospective studies of S. Livingstone strains in Norway and Sweden, food items with egg powder were suspected, and S. Livingstone was subsequently recovered from a processed fish product at the retail level. Analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis documented that isolates from the fish product belonged to the same clone as the outbreak strain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Guidelines for the practice of anesthesia in Norway.

Since the first version saw the light of day in 1991 the Guidelines have occupied a central position in the Norwegian practice of anesthesia. This document comprises part of the quality management documents held in the departments of anesthesia in Norwegian hospitals. If departments of anesthesia are unable to adhere to certain specific points in the Guidelines, it is recommended that this should be documented in writing. It has been stated by central governmental bodies and patients' insurance organizations that the Guidelines will be an important factor in medico legal cases, although it is not an obligatory legal document for hospital owners. It is our objective that the document will form the foundation for quality assurance work in the departments of anesthesia in Norway. The purpose of this document is to ensure a satisfactory standard for the practice of anesthesia in Norway. 'The Guidelines for the Practice of Anesthesia in Norway' (the Guidelines) is a series of recommended guidelines. The practice of anesthesia in this context includes general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, controlled sedation, postoperative monitoring, and other observations where anesthesia personnel are required. The Guidelines apply to all doctors, nurses, and other personnel undertaking the delegated practice of anesthesia. Deviations from the Guidelines should be explained and documented in every case. The Guidelines should be adhered to in medical emergencies as far as possible. The Guidelines must not be allowed to prevent the execution of immediate and lifesaving measures. The Guidelines should be revised at regular intervals so that it is up-to-date with current legislation and medical and technological developments and practice.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2002

Perinatal complications among ethnic Somalis in Norway.

BACKGROUND: The majority of ethnic Somali women in Norway have undergone an elaborate form of circumcision (infibulation). The aim of this study was to examine the risk of perinatal complications among ethnic Somalis and to discuss its relation to circumcision. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional population-based registry study. Data on all births to women born in Somalia (1733) and Norway (702 192) from 1986 to 1998 was provided from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. We analyzed the risk of perinatal complications among women of Somali origin vs. ethnic Norwegians using univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: Perinatal complications were more frequent among women of Somali origin than among ethnic Norwegians. These included induction of labor, fetal distress, secondary arrest, prolonged second stage of labor, operative delivery and perinatal death. Particularly elevated odds ratios were found for fetal distress (odds ratio=2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI); 2.2-3.0), emergency cesarean sections (odds ratio=3.0, 95% confidence interval 2.6-3.4), Apgar scores below seven (odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval 2.4-4.0) and prelabor fetal deaths (odds ratio=2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.7-3.7). CONCLUSION: Similar findings in infibulated vs. noncircumcised women have been demonstrated previously in other studies indicating that circumcision could play a role. The current study is the first to be conducted among Somali women in Europe. However, the results are not informative on whether the adverse birth outcomes are caused by infibulation as such or in combination with suboptimal perinatal care, intercurrent diseases and sociocultural factors. Somali women represent a high-risk group in obstetrics, calling for special attention and care.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of refractive errors in young and middle-aged adults in Norway.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in the young and middle-aged adult population in Norway. METHODS: Refractive errors were measured in a population-based sample of young (20-25 years) and middle-aged (40-45 years) adults participating in the Helseundersøkelse i Nord Trøndelag (HUNT) Health Study, conducted in the County of Nord-Trøndelag in Norway. RESULTS: A total of 3137 persons (1248 young and 1889 middle-aged adults) with corrected visual acuity > or = 0.5 (in either eye) were included in the study. The prevalence of myopia was 35.0% in the young adult group and 30.3% in the middle-aged group. Myopia was significantly higher in women aged 20-25 years (36.4%) than in men aged 40-45 years (28.1%). Prevalence of hyperopia increased with age from 13.2% (20-25 years) to 17.4% (40-45 years). The highest rate of hyperopia (20.1%) was encountered in middle-aged women. CONCLUSION: The results show a slightly higher prevalence of myopia in the general population of Norway than previously estimated.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Genetic evidence for different migration routes of freshwater fish into Norway revealed by analysis of current perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations in Scandinavia.

To elucidate the colonization of freshwater fish into Norway following the last deglaciation of Europe 10,000 years ago, we have performed a survey using mitochondrial DNA variation (20 populations) and multilocus DNA fingerprinting (14 populations) of the widely distributed perch (Perca fluviatilis) from the Scandinavian peninsula and the Baltic Sea. Sequence analysis of a 378 bp segment of the perch mitochondrial control region (D-loop) revealed 12 different haplotypes. A nested clade analysis was performed with the aim of separating population structure and population history. This analysis revealed strong geographical structuring of the Scandinavian perch populations. In addition, the level of genetic diversity was shown to differ considerably among the various populations as measured by the bandsharing values (S-values) obtained from multilocus DNA fingerprinting, with intrapopulation S-values ranging from 0.19 in Sweden to 0.84 in the central part of Norway. Analysis of the intrapopulation S-values, with S-value as a function of lake surface area and region, showed that these differences were significant. The mitochondrial and DNA fingerprinting data both suggest that the perch colonized Norway via two routes: one from the south following the retreating glacier, and the other through Swedish river systems from the Baltic Sea area. Perch utilizing the southern route colonized the area surrounding Oslofjord and the lakes which shortly after deglaciation were close to the sea. Fish migrating from the Baltic Sea seem to have reached no further than the east side of Oslofjord, where they presumably mixed with perch which had entered via the southern route. It seems likely that the migration events leading to the current distribution of perch also apply to other species of freshwater fish showing a similar distribution pattern.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The experience of collaboration: a comparison of health visiting in Scotland and Norway.

This investigation compared health visiting in Scotland and Norway by focusing on collaboration in health visiting. The data are based upon in-depth interviews with a non-probability sample, with voluntary participation of nine health visitors from Scotland and 12 health visitors from Norway. The results showed that there were more similarities than differences between the Scottish and Norwegian health visitors' experience of collaboration in their work. Both groups had a complex role-set and experienced dependency on role partners. Collaborative strain was experienced through lack of recognition and system deficiencies. Tensions in collaboration evolved from the definition and question of responsibility in grey areas, jurisdictional threats and conflicts. Within these areas the degree and importance of collaboration differed. The Scottish health visitors were more dependent on client referrals to them and their referrals to other agencies, whereas the Norwegians health visitors experienced an asymmetrical relationship, as they were more dependent on the capacity of the agency to accept the referrals. Lack of recognition seemed to be a stronger experience in Norway than in Scotland. All of this had a marked influence on the performance of the health visitors. Further research should address the question of collaboration in health visiting work and to what degree it influences the quality of health visiting and consequences for clients, the community and health visiting service.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Heterogeneity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Norway.

Our objective was to look for differences in susceptibility patterns between Norwegian and imported methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. All MRSA isolates from the participating hospitals (87 isolates from 81 patients) throughout the period 1994-98 were examined, to study the clonal distribution of MRSA isolated in Norway and to identify any epidemic clones among the isolates. We found that imported isolates were resistant to an average of 5.6 antibiotics, while Norwegian isolates were resistant to an average of 2.6 antibiotics. MRSA isolates imported to Norway are more often multiresistant than domestic isolates. MRSA isolates in Norway show a striking diversity. Epidemic clones are present, but no single clone is predominant.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial↗
PubMed2003

Geographic differences in tooth loss and denture-wearing among the elderly in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of teeth and dentures in individuals aged 67 years and above. METHODS: A representative random sample of 1152 individuals was drawn from 11 of the 19 counties of Norway. In all, 582 subjects were interviewed and examined clinically by the same dentist (BMH) in 1996-99. Fifty-four had died before contact was established, and the response rate was 53%. The mean age of those examined was 76.4 +/- 5.9 years, range 67-99 years. RESULTS: In all, 40.0% had 'own teeth only', 27.9% 'own teeth and dentures' and 31.6% 'dentures only'. Three participants had neither teeth nor dentures. Interviews with 35 nonparticipants disclosed no statistically significant differences regarding dental/denture status compared to participants. By using stepwise polychotomous logistic regression, three regions of Norway could be identified with respect to the occurrence of teeth and dentures; significant differences existed between them and nonsignificant differences were found within them. In region A (South-East counties including the capital Oslo), region B (West-Central counties), and region C (Northern counties) the prevalence of 'own teeth only', 'own teeth and dentures' and 'dentures only' were 62.0, 26.5 and 11.1% in region A, 27.7, 28.9 and 43.1% in region B and 2.9, 28.6 and 65.7% in region C, respectively. Teeth were observed in 394 individuals, the mean number being 19,15 and 11 in regions A, B and C, respectively (over all mean 17 teeth). CONCLUSIONS: There are large geographical disparities with respect to dental/denture status in Norway. The oral health goals for the year 2000 suggested by WHO/FDI were far from met in large areas of the country at the time when the data were collected, (1996-99).

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Small-area variations in the use of common surgical procedures: an international comparison of New England, England, and Norway.

We examined the incidence of seven common surgical procedures in seven hospital service areas in southern Norway, in 21 districts in the West Midlands of the United Kingdom, and in the 18 most heavily populated hospital service areas in Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island. Although surgical rates were higher in the New England states than in the United Kingdom or Norway, there was no greater degree of variability in the rates of surgery among the service areas within the three New England states. Hernia repair was more variable in England (P less than 0.05) and hysterectomy in Norway (P less than 0.05) than in the other countries. There was consistency among countries in the rank order of variability for most procedures: tonsillectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, hysterectomy, and prostatectomy varied more from area to area than did appendectomy, hernia repair, or cholecystectomy. The degree of variation generally appeared to be more characteristic of the procedure than of the country in which it was performed. Thus, differences among countries in the methods of organizing and financing care appear to have little relation to the intrinsic variability in the incidence of common surgical procedures among hospital service areas in these countries. Despite the differences in average rates of use, the degrees of controversy and uncertainty concerning the indications for these procedures seem to be similar among clinicians in all three countries.

Appendectomy↗