A structured epidemic model incorporating geographic mobility among regions

A model for the spread of infectious diseases among discrete geographic regions is presented that incorporates a mobility process that describes how contact occurs between individuals from different regions. The general formulation of the mobility process is described, and it is shown that the formulation encapsulates a range of mobility behaviour from complete isolation of all regions (no mobility) to permanent migration between regions. It is then shown how this mobility process fits into an SIR epidemic model, and two examples are given extending its use. The examples include a model for disease transmission in a population with two distinct mobility patterns operating and a model developed to describe a 1984 measles epidemic on the Caribbean island of Dominica(AU)

A structured epidemic model incorporating geographic mobility among regions

A model for the spread of infectious diseases among discrete geographic regions is presented that incorporates a mobility process that describes how contact occurs between individuals from different regions. The general formulation of the mobility process is described, and it is shown that the formulation encapsulates a range of mobility behavior from complete isolation of all regions (no mobility) to permanent migration between regions. It is then shown how this mobility process fits into an SIR epidemic model, and two examples are given extending its use. The examples include a model for disease transmission in a population with two distinct mobility patterns operating and a model developed to describe a 1984 measles epidemic on the Caribbean island of Dominica (AU)

Training needs and services for elderly care in developing countries: models from Romania, Barbados and Kuwait

Developing countries are facing multiple problems in establishing and funding sociomedical services for the elderly. This study outlines the need for such services especially in the transitional stage of urbanization, changes in the structure and role of families, and the inadequate resources for establishing community-based elderly care programs. The study focuses on the analysis of human resource needs for training of the different categories of health workers, both educational degree and non-degree training for elderly care programs. It proposes an integrated approach for short-term training of physicians, nurses, and social workers. This concept was accepted and adopted by the Expert Group Meeting of the International Institute on Aging in Malta, 1989. This study also presents applications of this model in Romania, Barbados, and Kuwait. (AU)

Introducing nursing models and nursing assessment data bases for use in the community

Two Community Health Nurse Tutors, Mrs. B. Brewster and Ms. H. Manchew, introduce models for use in the community. Family and Individual Nursing Assessment Data Bases were formulated, by utilising two nursing models - the Duvall's Family Framework and Betty Neuman's Systems Care Model

Community mental health care in Grenada

In Grenada, community mental health (CMH) care as an essential element of comprehensive primary health care goes beyond the boundaries of the psychiatric hospital and interfaces with the communities it serves. The boundries between these two services however remain flexible and there often exists an interdependent relationship, with each acknowledging and utilizing the specific services provided by the other. This collaboration has been greatly facilitated by the fact that one administrative body is in charge of the entire mental health system throughout Grenada. (AU)

Modelling the incidence of childhood diarrhea

Diarrheal disease is a primary cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Significant reduction depends on the identification of high-risk households which can be targetted for proven-effective interventions, such as oral rehydration therapy. This paper describes the development of a household risk assessment model in the context of an on-going diarrheal disease control in Grenada. Contingency and logit analyses of household survey data are used to identify easily observed markers of high-risk households. A three-variable logit model gives accurate predictions of self-reported diarrhea, showing that the approach can be used to develop an effective and efficient risk assessment tool.(AU)

The measurement of total protein synthesis and catabolism and nitrogen turnover in infants in different nutritional states and receiving different amounts of dietary protein

Total nitrogen turnover and the rates of synthesis and catabolism of total body protein were measured in infants, by means of a constant intragastric infusion of [15N] glycine. Experimental evidence is presented to support the assumption that amino acids from food and from tissue protein catabolism are indiscriminately handled by the body, and that [15N] glycine is a valid tracer for the mixture of total amino-N. N turnover, synthesis and catabolism of protein were all significantly higher in the malnourished as compared to the recovered infant. Net protein synthesis was the same in the two states, and a greater proportion of the N entering the pool was synthesized into protein in the malnourished infant. The rate of total protein synthesis in recovered infants was about 6g per kg body weight per day and was the same in infants receiving a low protein or a high protein intake. However, catabolism was significantly increased and there was greater utilization of N for protein synthesis in infants on a low protein diet. The mechanisms of adaptation to infantile malnutrition and to a low protein diet may be brought about through changes in amount or activity of enzymes concerned with amino acid metabolism. (AU)