High prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Western French Guiana

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections in western French Guiana and to analyze associated factors with both infections. A retrospective study was conducted in a sexually transmitted infections clinic in 2017. Women (n = 338) were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction for vaginal, anal and throat CT and NG infections. Men (n = 192) were evaluated using urine specimens. Socio-demographic and sexual behaviour data were collected by nurses with a structured questionnaire. The prevalence of CT and NG infections among women were 24.3% and 13.3%, respectively, and 12.0% and 7.3% among men. Women aged under 25 years had a higher risk of CT and NG infections than women aged 35 years or more. Another risk factor for CT infection was low educational level, and occasional unprotected sex for NG infection. CT and NG infections were associated with reporting symptoms among men. Very high prevalences of CT and NG infections among women and men were found, which suggest that a large-scale screening strategy should be implemented in French Guiana.

Síndrome de Burnout entre trabalhadores de uma universidade na fronteira franco brasileira / Síndrome de Burnout entre trabajadores de una universidad en la frontera franca brasileña / Burnout syndrome among university workers at the brazilian free frontier

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout entre trabalhadores de uma universidade na fronteira franco brasileira e verificar os fatores associados. Método: estudo transversal e descritivo realizado com 53 trabalhadores de uma universidade localizada na fronteira franco brasileira, através de formulários eletrônicos (google docs). Resultados: predomínio do sexo masculino (56,6%), faixa etária de 30 a 39 anos (64,2%), solteiros (47,2%), se declaram pardos (49,1%), especialistas (34%) e sem filhos (75,5%). Destes, 26,4% indivíduos tem a possibilidade de desenvolver a síndrome, 37,8% estão em fase inicial da síndrome, 22,6% a síndrome começa a se instalar e 13,2% estar em uma fase considerável da síndrome, tendo como preditor a variável sexo (p=0,01). Conclusão: nenhum dos entrevistados pontuou na categoria (nenhum indício de Burnout), o que torna preocupante as condições de trabalhos que estão submetidos, sendo imperativo medidas preventivas que retardem ou impossibilitem o adoecimento mental dentre a população investigada

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among university workers at the Brazilian Free Frontier and to verify the associated factors. Method: a cross - sectional and descriptive study carried out with 53 workers from a university located on the Brazilian - Brazilian border, using electronic forms (google docs). Results: male (56.6%), 30 to 39 years old (64.2%), single (47.2%), brown (49.1%), specialists (34%) and without children (75.5%). Of these, 26,4% individuals have the possibility to develop the syndrome, 37,8% are in the initial phase of the syndrome, 22,6% the syndrome begins to settle and 13,2% are in a considerable phase of the syndrome, having as predictor the gender variable (p = 0.01). Conclusion: none of the interviewees scored in the category (no evidence of Burnout), which makes the conditions of work that are submitted worrisome, being imperative preventive measures that delay or prevent mental illness among the population investigated

Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout entre trabajadores de una universidad en la frontera franca brasileña y verificar los factores asociados. Método: estudio transversal y descriptivo realizado con 53 trabajadores de una universidad ubicada en la frontera franca brasileña, a través de formularios electrónicos (google docs). Resultados: predominio del sexo masculino (56,6%), grupo de edad de 30 a 39 años (64,2%), solteros (47,2%), se declaran pardos (49,1%), especialistas (34%), y sin hijos (75,5%). De estos, 26,4% individuos tienen la posibilidad de desarrollar la síndrome, 37,8% están en fase inicial del síndrome, 22,6% a síndrome comienza a instalarse y 13,2% estar en una fase considerable de la síndrome, teniendo como predictor la variable sexo (p = 0,01). Conclusión: ninguno de los entrevistados puntuó en la categoría (ningún indicio de Burnout), lo que hace preocupante las condiciones de trabajos que están sometidos, siendo imperativo medidas preventivas que retarden o imposibiliten el enfermo mental entre la población investigada

Binational burden of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Oiapoque, Amapá State, Brazil, bordering French Guiana

Abstract INTRODUCTION: American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is regarded as a public health problem in the Oiapoque basin, between Brazil and French Guiana. METHODS Data on ACL occurrence/epidemiological profile and etiology were sourced from Brazilian health services and a reference laboratory. Rainfall correlation was also analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the ACL cases were observed in adult men working as gold miners. ACL incidence peaks appeared to be linked to periods 2 months after the dry season. Migratory flow was found to be a non-negligible complicating factor in epidemiological surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Binational strategies are required to minimize exposure for high-risk populations.

HIV-testing among female sex workers on the border between Brazil and French Guiana: the need for targeted interventions / Testes de HIV entre trabalhadoras do sexo na fronteira entre Brasil e Guiana Francesa: a necessidade de intervenções específicas / La prueba del VIH en las trabajadoras sexuales en la frontera entre la Guyana Francesa y Brasil: la necesidad de intervenciones específicas

The border between Brazil and French Guiana is a place of economic, cultural, social and sexual exchange. Female sex workers represent a high risk population for HIV in this area where sexual tourism is particularly developed. HIV testing seems to be an important element in the fight against the epidemic. Indeed, early HIV testing gives access to treatments and prevention. An HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and practices survey was conducted in 2011 among sex workers along the border between Brazil and French Guiana. A total of 213 female sex workers were interviewed. One third (31.5%) of the interviewed had never tested for HIV. Factors associated with non HIV-testing were the lack of knowledge of places where to do an HIV test, to be 30 or older, feeling at risk of HIV, not evaluating one's own risk towards HIV, and living in Oiapoque. These results clearly suggest that targeted interventions are needed to encourage and assist female sex workers to get tested regularly.

A fronteira entre Guiana Francesa e Brasil é um lugar de intercâmbio econômico, cultural, social e sexual. Nessa área, onde o turismo sexual é particularmente desenvolvido, as mulheres profissionais do sexo representam uma população de alto risco de contágio pelo HIV. Os testes de HIV parecem ser um elemento importante da luta contra a epidemia. De fato, os primeiros testes de HIV dão acesso à prevenção e aos tratamentos. Foi realizada em 2011 uma pesquisa de conhecimento, atitudes, comportamentos e práticas sobre HIV/AIDS com mulheres profissionais do sexo ao longo da fronteira da Guiana Francesa com o Brasil. Foram entrevistadas 213 mulheres profissionais do sexo. Um terço (31,5%) delas nunca tinha feito o teste de HIV. Fatores associados a não realização do teste de HIV foram: a falta de conhecimento dos locais onde fazer o teste, ter idade igual ou acima de 30 anos, sentir-se em risco de contágio pelo HIV, falta de avaliação do risco de contágio pelo HIV e habitante do Oiapoque. Esses resultados sugerem claramente que intervenções direcionadas às mulheres profissionais do sexo são necessárias para que os testes sejam feitos regularmente.

La frontera entre la Guyana Francesa y Brasil es un lugar de intercambio económico, cultural y sexual. En esta zona, donde se desarrolla sobre todo el turismo sexual, las trabajadoras del sexo son una población de alto riesgo de VIH. La prueba del VIH parece ser un elemento en la lucha de esta epidemia. Además, la prueba inmediata del VIH permite el acceso a los tratamientos y la prevención. Se realizó una Encuesta de Conocimientos, Actitudes y Prácticas sobre el VIH/SIDA en 2011 entre las trabajadoras de sexo, trabajando en la frontera entre la Guyana Francesa y Brasil. Se entrevistaron a un total de 213 trabajadoras del sexo. Un tercio (31,5%) de las entrevistadas nunca se había hecho la prueba del VIH. Los factores asociados con no haberse hecho la prueba del VIH son la ausencia de conocimientos sobre los lugares, donde se realiza la prueba del VIH, tener 30 años o más, sentirse en riesgo de VIH, no evalúan su propio riesgo frente al VIH y viviendo en el Oiapoque. Estos resultados muestran claramente que las intervenciones específicas necesitan incentivos para estimular el uso regularmente de la prueba del VIH.

Malaria on the Guiana Shield: a review of the situation in French Guiana

In a climate of growing concern that Plasmodium falciparum may be developing a drug resistance to artemisinin derivatives in the Guiana Shield, this review details our current knowledge of malaria and control strategy in one part of the Shield, French Guiana. Local epidemiology, test-treat-track strategy, the state of parasite drug resistance and vector control measures are summarised. Current issues in terms of mobile populations and legislative limitations are also discussed.