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Two species of ixodids , Ixodes arboricola Schulze et Schlottke and I. frontalis ( Panzer ), new for the fauna of Armenia are given. Larvae and nymphs of these ticks were found on birds in the forest zone and gardens.
The epidemiological situation in Armenia is very grave: the tuberculosis cases registered in 1994 are 19.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, this is 16.6% higher than the figure in 1993. Mortality rates in 1994 are 3.1 per 100,000 persons. Morbidity in males is 2.5 times higher than that in females. The greatest proportion of the first cases detected is in the age group of 25-34 years. Infiltrative tuberculosis with multiple decay and its acute course is prevalent in the pattern of tuberculosis morbidity. Activities in prophylactic measures drastically has declined due to power crisis and grave socioeconomic conditions of the republic. Groups of migrants as potential carriers of undiagnosed tuberculosis forms are gaining a great significance among patients with tuberculosis.
A description of the female of a new species, Acanthophthirius kolenatii sp.n., is given. The species is very closely related to A. poppei (Trouessart, 1895) and A. etheldredae Perkins, 1925 and has been collected from Pipistrellus kuhli (Kuhl) in the Armenian S.S.R. The species Pteracarus pipistrellius pipistrellius (Radford, 1938) and Alabidocarpus calcaratus calcaratus Lawrence, 1952 are recorded from the territory of Armenia for the first time.
Congenital Toxoplasma infection can only be discovered or prevented by the appropriate serological screening and subsequent treatment of the mother and her offspring. In Colombia, there is no obligatory Toxoplasma screening for pregnant women and both the reporting and follow-up of congenital toxoplasmosis cases is limited, thereby is a public health problem that have no been addressed by health authorities. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of congenital toxoplasmosis in a public hospital from Armenia, Colombia. A total of 200 serum samples of cord blood were collected. We applied a western blot assay (ID Blot DPC Diagnostics, US) for Toxoplasma IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies that was validated in a cohort of children with confirmed presence or absence of congenital infection. The sensitivity of western blot assay was 91 per cent and the specificity was 100 per cent. In the cord blood samples, we found one infected child that died at day 4 of life and his infection was confirmed by PCR of the B1 specific Toxoplasma gene on brain biopsy. This results show a high prevalence (0.5 per cent, IC95 per cent 0.2-0.8) of Toxoplasma infection in Colombian newborns. Thus, we recommend additional studies to determine the cost-effectiveness of a newborn screening program for congenital toxoplasmosis in other settings in Colombia.
OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence of giardiasis and intestinal parasitism in pre-school children from the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three serial faecal samples were collected from 328 children following informed consent from their legal guardians. Microscopic and macroscopic tests were made using 1% Lugol, 0.83% saline solution, saline-eosin solution and Kato Katz and Ritchie's test as a confirming test. Positive samples were preserved in saline formol solution. RESULTS: Pathogen parasites had the following prevalence frequencies: 2.4% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.6% for Hymenolepsis nana, 2.1% for Trichuris trichura, 6.1% for Blastocystis hominis and 13% for Giardia lamblia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this work showed low helminth frequency compared to that for protozoa; control strategies using single doses of Albendazol are therefore not useful. The most prevalent pathogen parasite was Giardia lamblia in children from the ICBF in Armenia. Periodic surveillance of parasites in children is thereby recommended. The prevalence of Giardia lamblia was not statistically related to the children's nutritional state. Most Giardia-infected children were asymptomatic.
A qualitative risk assessment was performed to evaluate the risk of introducing foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus into Russia and the rest of Europe from the countries of Transcaucasia (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). The assessment was based on data collected during a three-week mission to these countries by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Union and the Office International des Epizooties in March 1999. Due to the strong involvement of the local veterinary services, much information was obtained. Although the data were not sufficient to allow a quantitative risk assessment to be performed, the investigation served as a useful initial approach, prior to undertaking a quantitative risk assessment. The risk of FMD virus infection is a function of two elements, namely: the probability of the hazard (virus infection) occurring, and the magnitude of the consequences. The probability of the hazard occurring is the product of the probability of entry of the virus and the probability of exposure to the virus. These elements were assessed using the following parameters: prevalence of infection; volume of trade; capacity of the virus to survive; and potential for infection. The magnitude of the consequences is derived from the probability of transmission and spread. Combining these parameters, the probability of occurrence of the hazard was rated as 'moderate'. Economic consequences of potential transmission and spread of FMD, in the local context, were rated as 'negligible'. As a result, the overall risk of introducing FMD virus into Russia and the rest of Europe from Trancaucasia was rated as 'low' at the time of evaluation. The method and results are presented to serve as a basis for further discussion.
OBJECTIVES: Implementing environmental surveillance for poliovirus circulating from wastewater. METHODS: Six wastewater samples were collected from each final site within a wastewater collection system in Armenia, Quindío. Virus was extracted and concentrated by a method using polyethylenglycol and sodium chloride as concentrating agent. Polioviruses were identified by polymerase chain reaction assay with group-specific, serotype-specific and Sabin vaccine-specific primers. RESULTS: It was confirmed that the viral detection method is highly efficient. Poliovirus was detected in 5 of 6 (83%) samples collected. Serotype-specific identification revealed the presence of type 1 and type 3 polioviruses in the samples. All of them were of the vaccine type, which provided evidence regarding the non-circulation of wild poliovirus in the country. CONCLUSION: Wastewater surveillance can be a sensitive tool for detecting poliovirus circulation.
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Following the earthquake in December 1988, a long-term project was developed: starting from haemodialysis, it was extended to basic nephrology and urology, with a programme for schooling and psychosocial care. Medical training had first priority. The programme relied on robust and often second-hand equipment and voluntary work. The approach chosen (an inverse help programme, from sophisticated to basic medicine) strongly stimulated motivation and proved to be practicable.
OBJECTIVES: To produce estimates of main nutrition deficiencies to identify public health intervention priorities; to investigate the importance of urban-rural and resident-refugee differences; to validate the vulnerability indicators used for targeting humanitarian aid. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with cluster design on a nationally representative sample of 2627 households (3390 children under five and 2649 mothers). RESULTS: Underweight was observed in 4% of the mothers, while more than one third of them showed different levels of overweight. Prevalence of anaemia in mothers was 15% with significant highest prevalence in rural areas. Stunting was detected in 12% of children with highest prevalence in rural zones. The overall prevalence of wasting was 4%. The prevalence of anaemia in children under five was 16% with highest prevalence in rural areas (22%). A vulnerability questionnaire was tested: it was only partially able to identify best potential beneficiaries of humanitarian aid. CONCLUSIONS: Armenian children and women were not affected by major energy problems, but followed inadequate diets that led them to a low micronutrient status. Drought in 2000s compromised the possibility of improving the general nutritional status.
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Induced abortion remains the major form of birth control among Armenian women, contributing to their excess mortality and preventable morbidity. Reliance on abortion is attributed to limited access to information concerning modern methods of contraception and to widely held misinformation among women regarding family planning and reproductive health. Based on the Steps to Behavior Change model, the Green Path Campaign for Family Health, an information-education-communication (IEC) campaign, was launched in June 2000. This multimedia campaign promoted greater awareness, knowledge, acceptance, and adoption of modern contraception through increased utilization of counseling and related services provided at underutilized family planning centers. A representative panel of 1088 married women aged 18-35 were surveyed on reproductive health/family planning knowledge, attitudes, and practices immediately prior to and immediately following the 6-month national campaign. Exposure to the campaign was associated with significant increases in factors associated with contraceptive behavior change: knowledge, favorable attitudes toward modern methods, favorable attitudes toward family planning services, and information seeking and utilization of family planning services. Women who were more educated, more affluent, and slightly older were more likely to use family planning services as well as modern contraceptive methods. New visits to family planning centers increased by 84%. Despite the usual 25% turnover among those using modern methods at the start of the study, use of modern contraceptive methods increased by 4.6%, significantly exceeding the projected 3% increase. The results document changes in underlying behavioral predictors consistent with the Steps to Behavior Change model and highlight the relatively untapped potential of media-based health promotion efforts in post-Soviet Republics.
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A major earthquake devastated the Armenian Republic of the Soviet Union on December 7, 1988, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. In a postearthquake investigation of three towns seriously affected by the earthquake, we studied earthquake-related injury patterns, made observations on rescue and medical efforts, and postulated certain factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Information was obtained from official Soviet documents, interviews with survivors of the earthquake, and interviews with local, regional, and national government officials. Figures were based on assessments made by these officials in the field in the immediate postearthquake period. Out of a population of 8,500, there were 4,202 (49.4%) deaths and 1,244 (14.6%) injured (casualty rate, 64.0%). Deaths and injuries were 67 and 11 times higher, respectively, among trapped than nontrapped victims. Being outside at the time of the earthquake or having escaped to the outside from the collapsing structure was crucial for survival. Among persons found alive, 89% were rescued during the first 24 hours, mostly without the use of heavy equipment. This observation underscores the importance of swift rescuer response. As with all field surveys after disasters, there were methodological limitations to this study due to chaotic postearthquake conditions. Accordingly, results must be approached with caution. Nonetheless, these preliminary observations are striking and have generated several new hypotheses for further investigations using more sophisticated analytic methods.
This paper describes a unique situation in which disaster intervention following a massive earthquake led to significant, uninterrupted, psychosocial benefits to the entire country, and an intervention program that continues to evolve. The mental health program initially provided service to the victims, and then, training to local professionals during which personnel simultaneously conducted clinical research. Members of the mental health team made a life-long commitment to the country, and continue their activities to expand its impact on public health policy. The difficult history and life circumstances of the Armenian people provided the opportunity for disaster interventions to have extensive psychosocial benefits.
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