Seroepidemiology of selected alphaviruses and flaviviruses in bats in Trinidad.

A serosurvey of antibodies against selected flaviviruses and alphaviruses in 384 bats (representing 10 genera and 14 species) was conducted in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Sera were analysed using epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) specific for antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), all of which are zoonotic viruses of public health significance in the region. Overall, the ELISAs resulted in the detection of VEEV-specific antibodies in 11 (2.9%) of 384 bats. Antibodies to WNV and EEEV were not detected in any sera. Of the 384 sera, 308 were also screened using hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA) for antibodies to the aforementioned viruses as well as St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV; which also causes epidemic disease in humans), Rio Bravo virus (RBV), Tamana bat virus (TABV) and western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Using this approach, antibodies to TABV and RBV were detected in 47 (15.3%) and 3 (1.0%) bats, respectively. HIA results also suggest the presence of antibodies to an undetermined flavivirus(es) in 8 (2.6%) bats. Seropositivity for TABV was significantly (P<0.05; χ2) associated with bat species, location and feeding preference, and for VEEV with roost type and location. Differences in prevalence rates between urban and rural locations were statistically significant (P<0.05; χ2) for TABV only. None of the aforementioned factors was significantly associated with RBV seropositivity rates.

Unintended pregnancy and sex education in Chile: a behavioural model.

This study analysed factors associated with unintended pregnancy among adolescent and young adult women in Santiago, Chile. Three variations of a behavioural model were developed. Logistic regression showed that the effect of sex education on unintended pregnancy works through the use of contraception. Other significant effects were found for variables reflecting socioeconomic status and a woman's acceptance of her sexuality. The results also suggested that labelling affects measurement of 'unintended' pregnancy.

PIP: Using data from the Santiago Young Adult Reproductive Health Survey on 306 females aged 15-24 years living in greater Santiago in 1988 and having experienced premarital intercourse, the authors model the relationship of sex education and unintended pregnancy using social learning theory which posits that any health behavior is part of a dynamic model in which an individual's behavior is determined by the interaction of personal factors and environmental influences. Three variations of a behavioral model are developed. They found that women who had sex education before first intercourse and used contraception at that intercourse were one-third as likely to have a later unintended pregnancy as those with sex education who did not use contraception at first intercourse. Women who did not have sex education and who did not use contraception at first intercourse, however, were less likely to have an unintended pregnancy than women with no sex education who did use contraception. Across all models, moral ambivalence about premarital sexual activity is related to having an unintended pregnancy, Catholic women are twice as likely to have an unintended pregnancy as non-Catholics, and women from poorer backgrounds are less likely to use contraception and more likely to have early pregnancies. How women define their pregnancies can also affect the measurement of unintended pregnancy. It is important to effectively teach the use of contraceptives to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents and young adults who have premarital sexual intercourse.

An outbreak of hookworm infection associated with military operations in Grenada.

During 1983, a multinational military intervention took place on Grenada. After deployment, troops from several U.S. Army units noted signs and symptoms consistent with soil-transmitted helminthic infection. Of 684 soldiers screened five to seven weeks post-deployment, over 20% reported abdominal pain and/or diarrhea during or after the action. Eosinophilia of at least 10% was observed in 119 (22.5%) of 529 soldiers evaluated further; eosinophilia of 5-9% was documented in another 126 (23.8%) of the 529 soldiers. Stool examinations confirmed hookworm infection in 35 soldiers. One case of strongyloidiasis was also documented. Infection was attributed to ground exposure near homes with compromised sanitation. Units that joined the operation after the initial assault phase were at low risk of hookworm infection.

An outbreak of hookworm infection associated with military operations in Grenada

During 1983, a multinational military intervention took place on Grenada. After deployment, troops from several U.S. Army units noted signs and symptoms consistent with soil-transmitted helminthic infection. Of 684 soldiers screened five to seven weeks post-development, over 20 percent reported abdominal pain and/or diarrhea during or after the action. Eosinophilia of at least 10 percent was observed in 119 (22.5 percent) of 529 soldiers evaluated further; eosinophilia of 5-9 percent was documented in another 126 (23.8 percent) of the 529 soldiers. Stool examinations confirmed hookworm infection in 35 soldiers. One case of strongyloidiasis was also documented. Infection was attributed to ground exposure near homes with compromised sanitation. Units that joined the operation after the initial assault phase were at low risk of hookworm infection. (AU)