Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “LIBERIA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Trial of a new method of natural family planning in Liberia.

This paper describes the evaluation of a new method of natural family planning (NFP) in Liberia. The Modified Mucus Method (MMM) was developed to address the need for a simple method of charting for poor and illiterate women. The acceptance, use, and cost-effectiveness of the MMM were compared with standard NFP methods, the sympto-thermal and ovulation method (ST/OM), used in the same population. The personal discontinuation rate of MMM users was 27.3 per 100 women per year compared with 3.2 among ST/OM users. Unplanned pregnancy rates were low for both MMM and ST/OM, 6.6 and 1.5 respectively. The cost per couple year protection (CYP) for MMM was $55.80 and for ST/OM $56.10. There were differences in characteristics between MMM and ST/OM clients. The MMM clients were more likely to have attended school and to have used a family planning method previously, and were less likely to be housewives. We conclude that the MMM in Liberia was provided to an inappropriate sample of women, educated and middle-class rather than poor and illiterate. The MMM users were dissatisfied and discontinued at the rate of 44 per 100 women entering per year. This is an unfair evaluation of the MMM because of the unsuitable study population. It is our opinion that the MMM needs more study to become part of the inventory of birth spacing methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Endemic Lassa fever in Liberia. IV. Selection of optimally effective plasma for treatment by passive immunization.

The efficacy of passive immunization for treatment of Lassa Fever (LF) is believed to depend on the titre of the neutralizing antibody infused. For the purpose of identifying optimal donors of LV-immune plasma, a population of LF-convalescent patients in Liberia was tested for prevalence of neutralizing antibody. Minimally protective titres, expressed as a log10 neutralization index, (LNI), were established in animal models as LNI greater than 2. LNI titres for 26 donors, tested eight or more months after illness, were modest: 16 titred 1 less than LNI less than 2, 4 titred 2 greater than LNI less than 3, and only 4 titred LNI greater than 3. Sequentially obtained plasma from six donors indicated that the LNI response was delayed relative to the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) response, that high titres (LNI greater than 3) occurred only after seven months and in only two of six patients. Most of the unselected LV-immune plasma will require concentration to therapeutically useful LNI titres. In a passive immunization experiment, guinea-pigs were protected by a late convalescent plasma (LNI = 4.8, IFA = 320) but not by an early plasma, (LNI = 0.6, IFA = 640), thus supporting the selection of immune plasma on the basis of the LNI. Cross serological testing with LV strains and convalescent plasma from patients in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria suggested that these LV strains were indistinguishable by cross-IFA, but were readily distinguishable by cross neutralization tests. Geographical matching of LV and plasma origins may thus be a factor in selection of optimal plasma for passive immunization of Lassa fever.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Factors related to autonomy and discontinuation of use of natural family planning for women in Liberia and Zambia.

From 1983 to 1988, natural family planning programs were conducted in Liberia and Zambia. In Liberia 1055 and in Zambia 2709 women used natural family planning to avoid pregnancy. These users could become pregnant, discontinue use of the method, or become autonomous users. Women who changed intention did not stop use of natural family planning and were not treated as discontinuations. In a multivariate analysis, client's age, breastfeeding status, employment, urban/rural residence, time of registration in the program, and visit intensity were significantly associated with the outcomes. The most consistent association was that women who entered the programs in the later time periods were more likely to become autonomous users and less likely to discontinue use of the method or to experience an accidental pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of amodiaquine for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Harper, Liberia.

In the face of spreading chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance, amodiaquine remains a cheap and efficacious alternative for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in many settings. In Harper, south-eastern Liberia, a previous study we conducted showed very high levels of resistance to both chloroquine and SP. In 2001, in an effort to look for possible alternatives, we measured in the same setting the efficacy of amodiaquine in a 28-d study in vivo, with results corrected by polymerase chain reaction genotyping to distinguish recrudescences from reinfections. In total, 107 children were included in the study and received a 3-d supervised course of 25 mg/kg amodiaquine. Of these, 81 were analysable at day 28. The overall failure rate was 19.8% (95% CI 11.7-30.1%) considering both parasitological and clinical outcomes. These results provide hitherto missing data on amodiaquine in Liberia, and confirm that the drug may still be efficacious in settings where chloroquine and SP are failing. We recommend the introduction of amodiaquine in association with artesunate as a first-line antimalarial in Harper.

Amodiaquine↗
PubMed1985

Susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in northern Liberia after 20 years of chemosuppression and therapy.

The in vivo and in vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine was investigated in northern Liberia after 20 years of continuous chemosuppression and therapy with 4-aminoquinolines. In all patients studied (n = 53) parasitaemias were cleared within four days. There were no recrudescences in 16 patients followed-up for 28 days. All isolates of P. falciparum tested in vitro (n = 26) showed sensitive patterns. Schizont maturation was inhibited by a chloroquine concentration of between 0.25 and 0.75 mumol-1. In this area of Liberia no resistance to chloroquine was found in spite of extensive use of 4-aminoquinolines. This may support the view that importation of at least partially resistant strains, rather than local mutation of P. falciparum, precedes selection of resistant strains. Hence, we conclude that regular intake of chloroquine by groups at risk is justified if it is combined with regular monitoring of drug susceptibility.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical features of Lassa fever in Liberia.

Two hundred thirteen cases of Lassa fever (LF) were diagnosed by virus isolation and seroconversion at Curran Lutheran Hospital in Zorzor, Liberia, between July 1980 and April 1986. An additional 40 cases of probable and presumptive LF were diagnosed on the basis of single serum samples. Of the 246 assessable patients, 23 (9%) died; no data were available for seven patients. Five (16%) of 32 pregnant women and three (43%) of seven immediately postpartum women died. Four (26%) of 15 children less than 12 years died. Case-fatality rates among 125 nonpregnant women and 67 men were approximately 6%. Among 150 patients studied in detail, the case-fatality rate was also 9%. Seventeen (11%) of these patients had abnormal bleeding; of these, six (35%) died. Most platelet counts were at low normal to mildly depressed levels. However, serial counts in seven patients suggested a decrease on about days 10-12 of illness. The symptoms of LF in Liberia are those of a viral syndrome. Edema, sometimes marked, is noted in seriously ill patients. A great variation in mortality and incidence of abnormal bleeding is recorded in reported series of LF; it appears that hemorrhage is a marker for cases with a high mortality. The incidence and severity of hearing defects in LF outbreaks vary. Elucidation of a number of clinical problems in LF requires more information on how strain differences affect the pattern of illness.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1993

Impact of health programmes on child mortality in Africa: evidence from Zaire and Liberia.

The Mortality and Use of Health Services studies were designed to measure changes in the coverage of health services and in infant and child mortality rates associated with the implementation of the Combatting Childhood Communicable Diseases programme. The papers in this supplement provide the results of research carried out in areas of Zaire and Liberia. Data from these studies provide credible evidence that these programmes actually reduced mortality. The proportion of children dying by their fifth birthday declined by 17% in Zaire and by 32% in Liberia. These estimates of programme impact are consistent with the increases in the use of health services and with data from similar studies in other countries. Results of these surveys suggest that child survival programmes in Africa can reduce mortality substantially in populations living in different environments at very different initial levels of child mortality.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1997

Cruel wars and safe havens: humanitarian aid in Liberia 1989-1996.

This article considers the role of military intervention by peace-keeping and peace-enforcement troops in the provision of humanitarian aid to Liberia during the armed conflicts of the past seven years. The article focuses on the role of the de facto safe haven which peace-keeping and enforcing troops protected in Liberia between 1990 and 1996 and puts the Liberian case in the context of the growing debate about the usefulness of military interventions in humanitarian emergencies. It argues that the safe haven has enabled significant humanitarian achievements but has also demonstrated fundamental failures. Central to these failures have been the absence of consent, under-resourcing and a loss of control of the safe haven to factional interests.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2005

Strengthening the HIV/AIDS service delivery system in Liberia: an international research capacity-building strategy.

Liberia's prolonged post-conflict transition has negatively impacted its health infrastructure, including the functioning of its health care delivery system. Considering the current national health crises, a study was conducted to identify research gaps and the need to propose changes for improving the health care delivery system in the country. The study results clearly demonstrated a lack of HIV/AIDS research infrastructure including organizational structure, linkages, leadership, champions, expertise, resources, and policies and procedures. Alignment of research needs and practice, and research use to support HIV/AIDS service delivery programmes in the country was also limited. An international research capacity-building partnership is proposed as an effective planned change strategy to strengthen HIV/AIDS-related research infrastructure and to inform management and practice within the Liberian HIV/AIDS service delivery system. A proposed capacity-building planning model can also strengthen research infrastructure and the production and use of research to positively impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Liberia and other developing countries.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed1975

Thalassaemia in northern Liberia. A survey in the Mount Nimba area.

A population survey in northern Liberia showed an average incidence of 9 percent of beta-thalassaemia trait. There was considerable tribal variation, the highest rates being mainly found in tribes having a low incidence of Hb S. A single example of deltabeta-thalassaemia trait was also found; the incidence of delta-chain variants was 1.8 percent. The effect of malaria on Hb A2 levels was investigated but appeared to be negligible. The problems of beta-thalassaemia and Hb S occurring in the same population are discussed. It is considered that, although made on a local sample, the results of this survey indicate a high incidence of beta-thalassaemia trait elsewhere in Liberia and that this is a suitable are for investigations of linkage at beta- and delta-chain loci. No conclusion is at present possible from the data on the presence of alpha-thalassaemia although 10 percent of neonates were found to have increased levels of Hb Barts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Practical management of rabies and the 1982 outbreak in Zorzor District, Liberia.

A rabies outbreak in Zorzor District, Liberia, in 1982 resulted in 31 known bitten and 12 known exposed patients. Human diploid cell strain (HDCS) vaccine was used to vaccinate 40 patients. Of these, 34 were vaccinated at Curran Lutheran Hospital, Zorzor, Liberia, mostly by the intradermal (i.d.) route. Five of 28 bitten patients who started their vaccinations did not complete the 4-dose course, including a 16-year-old boy who did not return after the first injection and later died of rabies. There were also 2 deaths in 3 known bitten but unvaccinated patients. None of the 23 bitten who received 4 doses of HDCS vaccine contracted rabies. The i.d. route was also used for pre-exposure prophylaxis. This method of vaccination is less expensive than the intramuscular route and in our clinical setting we would not have been able to vaccinate all the patients without using it. A practical approach to rabies vaccination in a developing country and the technique of intradermal vaccination are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Circadian periodicity of Wuchereria bancrofti in Liberia and its effect on the results of a prevalence study.

The Harmonic Wave curve of Sasa and Tanaka (1972), describing microfilarial periodicity, has been fitted to observations on 38 persons infected with W. bancrofti in Liberia, as well as to data previously obtained from the same country by other authors. The periodicity of the Liberian strain was similar to that of periodic forms of W. bancrofti in Southeast Asia and Japan. The effect of periodicity on microfilaraemia prevalence survey results has been examined, using data from a recent study in coastal Liberia. Although prevalence rates appear to be little affected the median microfilarial densities (MfD50) vary condiserably according as to whether a population is examined in the early evening or late at night.

Blood↗
PubMed2006

[An investigation on AIDS knowledge of Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia and effects of relevant health education].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze AIDS knowledge of the Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia and to evaluate the effects of AIDS education in order to conduct more effective health education of AIDS and increase AIDS knowledge among the Chinese peacekeepers in the areas with a high incidence of AIDS. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed on the basis of that recommended by WHO to investigate the knowledge of AIDS among the 528 Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia respectively before and after relevant health education, and the results were compared. RESULTS: There was an obvious deficiency in AIDS knowledge among the subjects before the education and an evident increase after it, and the difference was significant (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: The Chinese peacekeepers are deficient in AIDS knowledge, and the deficiency can be effectively improved by relevant health education, which is essential for the health of the Chinese peacekeepers in the areas with a high incidence of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

A temporary focus of savanna species of the Simulium damnosum complex in the forest zone of Liberia.

Savanna species of the Simulium damnosum complex, the major vectors of the blinding savanna type of onchocerciasis, were considered to be rare in Liberia, until the dry season of 1988. In 1988 they became a serious nuisance, biting people at the Bong iron ore mine within the rain forest zone. S. damnosum s.str. and S. sirbanum were found breeding, in association with S. adersi a non man-biting savanna species, in a stream emerging from the mine's tailings pond. The local forest species were extremely rare in this stream. The water of the stream was characterized by an increased hardness and higher temperatures in comparison with those of natural watercourses in the area. The mass occurrence of flies was probably related to expansions of the tailings ponds, when rich nutrition was provided for the blackfly larvae by the decaying forests submerged by the rising water levels. The phenomenon did not recur in 1989 when only a few savanna flies were caught, and none were seen in the dry season of 1990. Although it is not known why the artificial environment of the tailings ponds was so attractive for the savanna species the events clearly demonstrated that savanna flies seasonally invading the area, possibly aided by the northeasterly harmattan winds, can become established in the rain forest zone if suitable conditions are met. No infections with Onchocerca volvulus were found in more than 1000 flies caught by vector collectors but, after experimental infection with the local forest strain, a few parasites developed to the infective stage. As yet there is no evidence that the occurrence of savanna flies in the rain forest zone of Liberia was of epidemiological significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The relationship between rickettsia-like-organisms and trypanosome infections in natural populations of tsetse in Liberia.

A survey of natural populations of tsetse flies for rickettsia-like-organisms (RLO) has been carried out in Liberia. A population of G.p. palpalis showed a strong association between trypanosome and RLO infection; both infections were at low levels in this species suggesting that this population is highly refractory to trypanosome infection. A small sample of G. nigrofusca, considered the most effective vector of trypanosomiasis in Liberia, was found to have very high prevalence of RLO infection. The selection pressures which could determine RLO infection rate are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Intercultural communication in assessing dietary habits: Liberia as an example.

Nutritionists in both clinical and field settings often work with populations whose cultures and languages differ from their own. Therefore, intercultural communication skills are often needed. This article presents a method used to collect dietary data for 125 children under 26 months old living in Liberia. The method was designed to reduce intercultural communication errors during collection of dietary data by avoiding terms directly related to the English language words "food" or "to eat," and by replacing such terms with words or phrases with a more general meaning, for example, "thing" for food or "had" for eat. By using this method the following results were obtained: mean age for introducing non-breast-milk foods to infants, 1.9 months (no. = 113, standard deviation [SD] = 2.1 months); mean age for introducing milk-based foods, 1.5 months (no. = 74, SD = 1.6 months); and mean age for introducing non-milk foods, 2.9 months (no. = 110, SD = 2.5 months). These ages are 2 to 4 months earlier than those determined in two previous studies conducted in Liberia. The difference is probably attributable to incongruity between the interviewer's and interviewee's definitions of words. The resultant impact on feeding recommendations because of differences in data and, therefore, in conclusions, demonstrates that accuracy of dietary data at the individual level may be critical for epidemiological studies. The method of using more general terms and avoiding restricting terms such as "food" and "eat" may help nutritionists improve the accuracy and completeness of dietary data during intercultural interviews. Additional research in wording dietary recall questions will help determine whether this method is generally applicable.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1986

Post-encephalitic epilepsy and arbovirus infections in an isolated rainforest area of central Liberia.

Among a population of 4.436 Bassa, Kpelle and Mano people in the Gbawein and Wroughbarh Clan region of Grand Bassa Country, Liberia, 123 cases of epilepsy could be documented. In 38% of these cases infections involving the central nervous system precipitated the onset of seizures. Sera from 67 epilepsy patients, 50 direct healthy relatives and 22 geographically matched controls were tested for antibodies to 16 arboviruses of the Togaviridae and Bunyaviridae known to occur in Africa. Antibodies to arboviruses were found in 16.5% of the epilepsy patients, 36% of the mostly older family members, and in 22% of the controls. Males and females were equally affected as were the different clans and language groups. Although meningoencephalitis with sequelae, like seizures, are known to result from arbovirus infections, no evidence for a correlation between epilepsy in this are of Central Liberia and previous arbovirus infection could be established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Cytotaxonomy of the Simulium sanctipauli sub-complex in Liberia.

Larvae of the Simulium sanctipauli sub-complex from three of the main rivers of Liberia, the Lofa, the St. Paul and the Farmington were examined. All larvae were identified as S. sanctipauli (sensu Vajime and Dunbar, 1975) but as S. soubrense using the new definition of Post (1986). It therefore appears that S. soubrense (sensu Post) and not S. sanctipauli is the main man-biting species of the S. sanctipauli sub-complex in Liberia. Larval populations from the three rivers were genetically distinct. Those from the Lofa and St. Paul were most closely related, but the double inversion 1L-B.C. which was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Lofa at a frequency of 0.578 was absent in the St. Paul. An abrupt genetical change was observed between the populations of the St. Paul and Farmington, which are only about 30 to 40 km away from each other. The inversion 2L-D, which was fixed and present in more than 90% of specimens from the Lofa and St. Paul respectively, was practically absent in the Farmington. Of further interest was the sex-linkage of inversion 3L-5 in the Lofa and the St. Paul. This inversion was autosomal and rare in the Farmington.

Animals↗