Changing epidemiology of HIV anonymous testing in Switzerland for 1996-2006.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: To assess whether the prevalence of HIV positive tests in clients at five anonymous testing sites in Switzerland had increased since the end of the 1990s, and ascertain whether there had been any concurrent change in the proportions of associated risk factors. METHODS: Baseline characteristics were analysed, by groups of years, over the eleven consecutive years of data collected from the testing sites. Numbers of HIV positive tests were presented as prevalence/1000 tests performed within each category. Multivariable analyses, stratified by African nationality and risk group of heterosexuals or men who have sex with men (MSM), were done controlling simultaneously for a series of variables. Odds ratios (ORs) were reported together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). P values were calculated from likelihood ratio tests. RESULTS: There was an increase in the prevalence of positive tests in African heterosexuals between 1996-1999 and 2004-2006, rising from 54.2 to 86.4/1000 and from 5.6 to 25.2/1000 in females and males respectively. The proportion of MSM who knew that one or more of their sexual partners was infected with HIV increased from 2% to 17% and the proportion who reported having more than five sexual partners in the preceding two years increased from 44% to 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance data from anonymous testing sites continue to provide useful information on the changing epidemiology of HIV and thus inform public health strategies against HIV.

Hepatitis C in a sample of pregnant women in Switzerland: seroprevalence and socio-demographic factors.

PRINCIPLES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection in a sample of pregnant women living in Switzerland in 1990-1991, in order to complement existing data in various populations. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from women from consecutive births in obstetric wards in public hospitals of 23 Swiss cantons over a one-year period. They were tested, among other things, for the presence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV). Statistical analyses were done to explore the association of demographic variables with anti-HCV. RESULTS: The study included a total of 9,057 women of whom 64 tested positive for anti-HCV, resulting in a crude prevalence of 0.71%. Prevalence varied by age and was highest in the 25-29-year age-group (0.90%). 43/5,685 Swiss women were HCV seropositive (0.76%) compared with 21/3,372 non-Swiss women (0.62%). Stratified analysis showed a significant association between anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibody positivity in Swiss (adjusted OR [aOR] 23, 95% CI 12-43) and non-Swiss nationals (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the early 1990s was <1% in this sample of pregnant women in Switzerland and was associated with age, nationality and the presence of anti-HBc antibodies, a marker of exposure to hepatitis B virus. These results are in accordance with those from other published European studies. If an effective intervention to prevent vertical transmission becomes available, information on the current prevalence of HCV in pregnant women would be needed in order to assess how screening recommendations should be modified.

Contamination of allotment soil with lead: managing potential risks to health.

BACKGROUND: In the context of contaminated land, assessing risk involves identifying a source, a pathway and a receptor. We describe how this approach worked in practice following the discovery of high lead levels in the soil of an allotment site in a London borough. METHODS: Soil and produce analyses were undertaken. A worst-case scenario was constructed to estimate the maximum potential lead intake by consumers. A questionnaire survey was undertaken of individuals who either worked on the allotment or ate significant amounts of produce grown on it. They were also offered blood lead tests. RESULTS: High lead levels were found in soil and produce. The worst-case assessment showed that the estimated lead intake by a hypothetical consumer of allotment produce exceeded the provisional tolerable weekly intake almost 10-fold. Further tests on produce indicated that soil contamination had contributed to the high lead levels. The questionnaire survey did not reveal any chronic illness related to lead exposure. Of the five tested, none had raised blood lead levels. CONCLUSIONS: A decision was made to remediate the site. Pending this, we advised the allotment holders not to cultivate the land or eat any produce grown on it as we could not be sure that preparation of the produce before consumption would remove all adherent lead-contaminated soil, and continued cultivation could also expose them to lead in the soil dust.

Management of deliberate self harm in general practice: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: It has been estimated that the incidence of deliberate self harm (DSH) is at least 10 times that of suicide. Accident and emergency discharge figures also point to an almost doubling of reported cases of DSH in the early 1990s. AIM: To assess general practitioners' (GPs') views on, and educational requirements for, managing patients following an episode of DSH. METHOD: A qualitative study with 14 GPs (seven male and seven female) from two outer-London boroughs, selected in order to provide a maximum variety sample. Interviews took place between February and April 1997, and data were analyzed using the principles of grounded theory. RESULTS: Most GPs felt that all patients presenting with DSH should be assessed by a psychiatrist. They expressed a preference for working with a community psychiatric nurse rather than a counsellor. Suggestions to improve their working relationship with community mental health teams included provision of one centralized point of referral and ease of access to the service in times of crisis. GPs were sceptical of guidelines, emphasizing that they needed joint ownership in writing them, but most importantly that they needed adequate resources to implement them. Specific changes to postgraduate education were suggested, such as individual educational portfolios. CONCLUSION: Improved working relationships between GPs and community mental health teams are needed in order to provide a more efficient and effective service for patients. Lifelong learning needs to be adapted in a style and approach to suit GPs' individual requirements.