Qualitative analysis of mental health conversational agents messages about autism spectrum disorder: a call for action.

Background: Conversational agents (CA's) have shown promise in increasing accessibility to mental health resources. This study aimed to identify common themes of messages sent to a mental health CA (Wysa) related to ASD by general users and users that identify as having ASD. Methods: This study utilized retrospective data. Two thematic analyses were conducted, one focusing on user messages including the keywords (e.g., ASD, autism, Asperger), and the second one with messages from users who self-identified as having ASD. Results: For the sample of general users, the most frequent themes were "others having ASD," "ASD diagnosis," and "seeking help." For the users that self-identified as having ASD (n = 277), the most frequent themes were "ASD diagnosis or symptoms," "negative reaction from others," and "positive comments." There were 3,725 emotion words mentioned by users who self-identified as having ASD. The majority had negative valence (80.3%), and few were positive (14.8%) or ambivalent (4.9%). Conclusion: Users shared their experiences and emotions surrounding ASD with a mental health CA. Users asked about the ASD diagnosis, sought help, and reported negative reactions from others. CA's have the potential to become a source of support for those interested in ASD and/or identify as having ASD.

User experience with a parenting chatbot micro intervention.

Background: The use of chatbots to address mental health conditions have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, few studies aimed to teach parenting skills through chatbots, and there are no reports on parental user experience. Aim: This study aimed to assess the user experience of a parenting chatbot micro intervention to teach how to praise children in a Spanish-speaking country. Methods: A sample of 89 parents were assigned to the chatbot micro intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial study. Completion rates, engagement, satisfaction, net promoter score, and acceptability were analyzed. Results: 66.3% of the participants completed the intervention. Participants exchanged an average of 49.8 messages (SD = 1.53), provided an average satisfaction score of 4.19 (SD = .79), and reported that they would recommend the chatbot to other parents (net promoter score = 4.63/5; SD = .66). Acceptability level was high (ease of use = 4.66 [SD = .73]; comfortability = 4.76 [SD = .46]; lack of technical problems = 4.69 [SD = .59]; interactivity = 4.51 [SD = .77]; usefulness for everyday life = 4.75 [SD = .54]). Conclusions: Overall, users completed the intervention at a high rate, engaged with the chatbot, were satisfied, would recommend it to others, and reported a high level of acceptability. Chatbots have the potential to teach parenting skills however research on the efficacy of parenting chatbot interventions is needed.

[Outbreak of skin infections due to Staphylococcus aureus carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in pupils and their relatives]. / Épidémie d'infections cutanées àStaphylococcus aureus porteur des gènes codant la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine en milieu scolaire et familial.

OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to describe an outbreak of skin infections in school settings, caused by Staphylococcus aureus carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes (Sa PVL(+)), over a 2-year period. Nasal colonization prevalence was assessed in families where new skin infections occurred, despite a prevention and control strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective investigation of skin infections likely to be related to Sa and prospective monitoring and treatment of new infections occurring in pupils and their family members were implemented in October 2006, following the reporting of Sa PVL(+) abscesses and furuncles in a primary school. Additional nasal screening was performed in families where new skin infections occurred, after an initial systematic screening of Sa PVL(+) nasal carriers. RESULTS: On October 31, 2008, 53 patients, accounting for 30 households, had developed 69 skin infections, in four decreasing outbreaks. The cumulative incidence of a first skin infection was 34.6% in primary classes, 21.3% in nursery schools, and 6.5% in the pupils' family households. Several skin infections were reported in 13 households, and in one of them, all of the seven family members had developed at least one skin infection during follow-up. The estimated frequency of nasal colonization ranged from 14.1% to 19.5% according to successive nasal screenings. CONCLUSION: Early reporting of skin infection clusters is necessary to reinforce the effectiveness of hygiene and prevention measures, and thus limit the risk of a long-lasting outbreak.

[Determining factors in lowering blood lead levels below the poisoning threshold in Greater Paris (1992-2006)]. / Déterminants du retour à une plombémie inférieure au seuil d'intoxication en Ile-de-France (1992-2006).

BACKGROUND: Given the serious health effects of lead poisoning (Pb> or =10microg/dL), the present study was designed to estimate the time required to reach and identify factors associated with reaching Pb<10microg/dL according to the severity of the poisoning. METHODS: Since 1992, the Greater Paris lead poisoning monitoring system (SSSILF) has been systematically recording data on blood lead levels of screening and follow-up testing of children in the region. In children under the age of seven when screened positive for lead poisoning, survival curves without reaching the threshold of 10microg/dL and the relative risk (RR) of reaching this threshold were calculated (Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox model), according to blood lead level groups (Group 4: Pb> or =45microg/dL; Group 3: 25microg/dL< or =Pb<45microg/dL; Group 2: 10microg/dL< or =Pb<25microg/dL; (by definition, Group 1: Pb<100microg/L and risk factors of poisoning). RESULTS: The median survival times without reaching the threshold of Pb<10microg/dL were 72.7 months for Group 4, 36.8 months for Group 3 and 14.5 months for Group 2. Compared to reference categories, the time to Pb<10microg/dL was longer for children aged four and over at the time they screened positive for poisoning (Groups 4 and 3), for children displaying pica behavior (Groups 3 and 2), for children in an environment with another child suffering from lead poisoning (Groups 3 and 2) and for children of mothers from Sub-Saharan or North Africa countries (Group 2); the differences reached statistical significance. Changes in Pb levels were better for all children (Groups 4, 3 and 2) screened over the most recent period, i.e. 2002 to 2006, and for Group 2 children living in Paris or the nearby district of Seine-Saint-Denis. CONCLUSION: While the time required has gone down over recent years, the time to reach the threshold of Pb<10microg/dL is counted in years and varies depending on known poisoning risk factors and the district responsible for patient management. It is essential to have early lead poisoning screening for children in high-risk groups and then follow-up after rapid implementation of appropriate medical and social measures.

[Occurrence of lead poisoning during follow-up of children at risk with initial screening lead blood levels below 100 microg/L]. / Risque de survenue d'une intoxication par le plomb lors du suivi d'enfants à risque dont la plombémie de primodépistage est inférieure à 100 microg/L.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up is recommended for children initially screened with a lead blood level below the threshold for lead poisoning of 10 microg/dL when they have one or more risk factors. At first, the frequency of a follow-up lead blood test was calculated in children at risk for lead poisoning. In second time, we calculated the rate of occurrence and independent factors for lead poisoning in the follow-up group. METHODS: Since 1992, the Greater Paris lead poisoning monitoring system (SSSIILF) has been systematically recording data on lead levels in blood tests conducted for screening and follow-up in Greater Paris. Children initially screened before the age of seven whose blood lead level was inferior to 10 microg/dL and who had one or more risk factors were selected. The association between qualitative variables and a follow-up lead blood test was compared using the Chi(2) test. For children given follow-up, the association between qualitative variables and occurrence of lead poisoning was compared using the Chi(2) test; independent factors for lead poisoning were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS: A follow-up lead blood test was more frequent and the difference was statistically significant, for children with one or more of the following risk factors identified at the time of screening: home address in Seine Saint-Denis or central Paris, screened in mother/child healthcare centers (PMI) or through a private physician, a blood lead level 5 microg/dL on initial screening, young age (<24 months) at the time of screening and some others known risk factors. The rate of occurrence of lead poisoning during follow-up was 25.9% for children screened between 1992 to 1994 and decrease to 5.1% for children screened in 2004 to 2005 (p<0.001) and was lower in central Paris and Seine Saint-Denis than in other districts in Greater Paris (p<0.01). The rate of occurrence during follow-up, independent of known risk factors for lead poisoning (p<0.01), was higher for children screened before the age of two (p<0.01) and for children whose mothers were from Sub-Saharan Africa (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: It is essential to follow up children at risk with an initial lead blood level below 10 microg/dL, especially those initially screened before the age of 24 months. Local action on home environment could also be needed when the initial blood lead level is 5 microg/dL and more than one risk factor has been identified.

Follow-up of children suffering from lead poisoning or at risk of lead poisoning in Greater Paris, 1992--2002.

BACKGROUND: It is essential for children suffering from or at risk of lead poisoning to have regular follow-up, and specifically for their blood lead (Pb) levels to be monitored. The present study assessed the occurrence of late follow-up testing of blood lead levels in children in Greater Paris, and factors related to such delays. METHODS: Since 1992, the SSSIILF has been systematically recording data on lead levels in blood tests conducted for screening and follow-up in Greater Paris. For Pb greater or equal to 45 microg/dL (Group 4), a further blood lead test has to be done within three weeks. For levels of 25 microg/dL < or = Pb < 45 microg/dL (Group 3) and 10 microg/dL < or = Pb < 25 microg/dL (Group 2), a second test must be done within 6 months. For Pb less than 10 microg/dL combined with one or more risk factors (Group 1: children at risk of poisoning), a second test is required within 6 to 12 months. Children aged 1 to 6 years who were screened between 1992 and 2002 were selected. The occurrence of late follow-up testing was estimated, and the independent effect of each variable associated with a delay was measured using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Delays in re-testing were reported for 66.9% of Group 4 children (n=356), 45.3% of Group 3 children (n=921), 74.1% of Group 2 children (n=5,466), and 88.7% of Group 1 children (n=15,612). In the three groups with Pb greater or equal to 10 microg/dL, there was better follow-up (i.e. less delay to re-testing) for children screened most recently, those whose initial blood lead test results were elevated, those who lived in sub-standard housing built before 1949, and those who lived in suburban districts of Paris. The delay was longer for children aged 4 to 6 compared to younger children. When the size of the group was large enough, these differences were significant. In Group 1, similar results were observed except for a home address in a suburban district. Furthermore, follow-up was better for children of Sub-Saharan African parents, children whose initial prescription had been issued by a "PMI" mother/child healthcare centre and children from large families. CONCLUSION: Despite substantial delays in carrying out follow-up blood lead level testing, these delays were shorter for the populations with the greatest exposure.

[Staphylococcus aureus carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes nasal colonization and skin infection: screening in case of outbreak in a school environment]. / Colonisation nasale et infections cutanées à Staphylococcus aureus porteur du gène codant la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine: dépistage lors d'une épidémie en milieu scolaire.

OBJECTIVES: An outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) carrying the gene coding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) skin infections in a primary school was investigated and monitored in the Val-d'Oise region (Greater Paris) in 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Skin infections reported after the beginning of the school year in primary-school teachers, students and their relatives were diagnosed and treated at the local hospital and screening for nasal colonization was implemented. A patient presenting with folliculitis, an abscess or furuncle with a positive-skin test or nasal swab for SA-PV was considered to be a case of infection. Colonization was defined as identification of SA-PVL in a nasal swab in the absence of skin lesions. In addition to recommended control measures, treatment by topical intranasal mupirocin was prescribed to all colonized patients and relatives of infected patients. RESULTS: Over five months, 22 cases of PVL-positive SA skin infections, including a case of simple folliculitis, were confirmed in 15 primary-school students (attack rate=18.5%) and seven relatives. The occurrence of nasal colonization in relatives not attending the same school ranged from 0 to 30% according to the number of cases of skin infection in the family (p<0,01). Two-thirds of patients treated with mupirocin were decolonized. CONCLUSION: Transmission of this SA strain in school and family environments confirms the epidemic potential of PVL-positive isolates; however, screening for nasal colonization should be restricted to cases of skin infection and people in their immediate environment.

[Predictive value and sensibility of hospital discharge system (PMSI) compared to cancer registries for thyroïd cancer (1999-2000)]. / Valeur prédictive et sensibilité du programme de médicalisation des systèmes d'information (PMSI) par rapport aux registres des cancers: application au cancer de la thyroïde (1999-2000).

BACKGROUND: Cancer registries have a complete recording of new cancer cases occurring among residents of a specific geographic area. In France, they cover only 13% of the population. For thyroid cancer, where incidence rate is highly variable according to the district conversely to mortality, national incidence estimates are not accurate. A nationwide database, such as hospital discharge system, could improve this estimate but its positive predictive value and sensibility should be evaluated. METHODS: The positive predictive value and the sensitivity for thyroid cancer case ascertainment (ICD-10) of the national hospital discharge system in 1999 and 2000 were estimated using the cancer registries database of 10 French districts as gold standard. The linkage of the two databases required transmission of nominative information from the health facilities of the study. From the registries database, a logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors related to being missed by the hospital discharge system. RESULTS: Among the 973 standardized discharge charts selected from the hospital discharge system, 866 were considered as true positive cases, and 107 as false positive. Forty five of the latter group were prevalent cases. The predictive positive value was 89% (95% confidence interval (CI): 87-91%) and did not differ according to the district (p=0,80). According to the cancer registries, 322 thyroid cancer cases diagnosed in 1999 or 2000 were missed by the hospital discharge system. Thus, the sensitivity of this latter system was 73% (70-76%) and varied significantly from 62% to 85% across districts (p<0.001) and according to the type of health facility (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Predictive positive value of the French hospital discharge system for ascertainment of thyroid cancer cases is high and stable across districts. Sensitivity is lower and varies significantly according to the type of health facility and across districts, which limits the interest of this database for a national estimate of thyroid cancer incidence rate.

[Iron supplementation associated with malaria prevention among pregnant women in Abidjan]. / Traitement martial associé à la prophylaxie du paludisme chez la femme enceinte à Abidjan.

BACKGROUND: Despite the demonstrated efficacy of iron supplements and malaria prevention, the effectiveness of antenatal care programs for prevention of anaemia (haemoglobin rate<11 g/dL) in pregnant women is low in West Africa. Apart from the issue of availability and despite low cost, the major reason evoked is the lack of motivation of pregnant women and health care professionals. In this study, iron supplements and malaria prophylactics were provided free of charge during pregnancy. The treatment was proposed at the first antenatal visit, with the objective of not interfering with routine practice of birth attendants and women in latter antenatal visits. METHODS: Haemoglobin rates were measured and Plasmodium falciparum tested for among pregnant women in four maternity units in Abidjan. The tests were carried out at inclusion during the first antenatal visit and during immediate post-partum in 631 pregnant women who delivered in one of the four wards. Considering the objective of the study, compliance was assessed for the month prior to delivery. RESULTS: Despite an habitual decrease in iron deficiency at the end of pregnancy, haemoglobin rates in the study population increased from 10.4 g/dL at inclusion to 10.9 g/dL during post-partum. Prevalence of anemia consequently decreased from 62.8% to 49.4% (p<0.01). A similar increase of 0.7 g/dL was observed among women stating a regular (57%) or irregular (36.9%) compliance with the protocol. A decrease of 0.4 g/dL (s.t.: 1.8 g/dL) was observed among women stating a lack of compliance with the protocol (5.6%). The prevalence of anaemia according to compliance was consequently 43.1%, 49.7% and 70.1% (p=0.02). Severe anaemia (<8 g/dL) at inclusion was an independent risk factor for post-partum anaemia although a 2.9 g/dL increase (s.t.: 2.0 g/dL) was observed in the latter (p<0.01). However, the 11 g/dL threshold was not reached. CONCLUSION: It is therefore important to reinforce the availability of treatments to prevent anaemia in pregnant women due to their demonstrated efficiency as a part of routine antenatal activities.

Geographical variation in disease progression in HIV-1 seroconverted injecting drug users in Europe?

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression might vary by geographical region due to differences in the spectrum of HIV-related illnesses and (access to) health care. Therefore, the effect of geographical region, next to the effect of other potential cofactors, on disease progression in 664 injecting drug users (IDU) with documented HIV seroconversion from eight cohorts in Europe was studied. METHODS: Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards analysis were performed to assess the effect of geographical region, other sociodemographics, drug use and repeated HIV exposure on progression from HIV seroconversion to immunosuppression, AIDS and death with AIDS. We considered the confounding effect of study-design related factors (e.g. setting of follow-up), and accounted for pre-AIDS death from natural causes by imputing when each endpoint would have occurred, had they not died without AIDS. RESULTS: Estimates of progression to AIDS and death with AIDS were substantially faster after taking pre-AIDS mortality into account. Median incubation time from seroconversion to the first CD4 count < 200 cells/microliter was 7.7 years (95% CI: 7.1-8.3) and to AIDS 10.4 years (95% CI: 9.8-infinity). The 10-year survival was 70.3% (95% CI: 62.8-76.6). The relative hazards (RH) of AIDS for IDU from central and southern Europe compared with IDU from northern Europe was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2-3.0) and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.6-2.3), respectively, before, and 1.5 (95% CI: 0.7-3.2) and 1.1 (95% CI: 0.6-2.3) after taking differences in study-design related factors into account. Accounting for these factors, the RH of death with AIDS was 0.9 (95% CI: 0.3-2.5) for central and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.4-3.4) for southern Europe compared with northern Europe. For the first CD4 count < 200 cells/microliter these figures were 0.8 (95% CI: 0.5-1.4) and 0.8 (95% CI: 0.5-1.4). Age at seroconversion was the strongest predictor of disease progression. No statistically significant differences in disease progression were found by gender, foreign nationality, drug use and potential repeated HIV exposure. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for regional variability in HIV disease progression among European IDU. Future studies evaluating geographical differences should consider the confounding effect of study-design related factors and differential non-AIDS mortality. As age is an important determinant of disease progression, it should be considered in recommending treatment.

Predictive value of viral load and other markers for progression to clinical AIDS after CD4+ cell count falls below 200/microL. SEROCO & HEMOCO Study Group.

BACKGROUND: To assess the predictive value of biological and clinical events for progression to AIDS (1993 European classification) when the CD4+ cell count falls below 200/microL (CD4 threshold) in different exposure groups. To investigate whether such markers remain predictive independently of the serum HIV-1 RNA level at the CD4 threshold. METHODS: The predictive value of biological and clinical events occurring during the 24 months prior to the occurrence of CD4 threshold (n = 333) was quantified in a Cox model. Another Cox model was carried out in a subset of 77 patients in whom viral load from stored sera was available. Furthermore, changes in viral load during the 24 months preceding the CD4 threshold were assessed in a mixed model according to subsequent development of AIDS. RESULTS: Among the 333 patients, the slope of the CD4+ cell counts, the emergence of p24 antigen, persistent thrush, and age at the CD4 threshold were independent predictors of progression to clinical AIDS (44.7%). Among the subset of 77 patients, the HIV-1 RNA level at the CD4 threshold, persistent thrush and age remained independent predictors of progression to AIDS (45.5%). The increase of the HIV-1 RNA level was moderate, both in non-progressors (24.0% per year) and in those who subsequently developed AIDS (27.1% per year), (P = 0.93). Viral load was consistently higher in the latter group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: At a late stage of infection, age and persistent thrush remain predictive of progression to AIDS, independently of viral load.

Incidence and sexual risk factors of cytomegalovirus seroconversion in HIV-infected subjects. The SEROCO Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Data on incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroconversion in HIV-infected (HIV(+)) subjects was sparse. GOAL: To determine the incidence of CMV seroconversion in sexually active HIV(+) subjects and sexual factors associated with CMV seroconversion. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty four persons not infected by CMV at enrollment in a cohort of HIV(+) persons were studied. A case-control study within the cohort was conducted to determine the effect of sexual behavior in the 6 months prior to CMV seroconversion. Thirty seven cases of CMV seroconversion were compared with 136 controls. RESULTS: The overall incidence of CMV seroconversion was 9.18 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.67-12.28) and was particularly high among homosexual men. After adjustment for age, socio-professional category, sexual orientation, and casual sex, the risk of CMV seroconversion was higher in subjects who never used condoms than in those who used them systematically (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.37;95% CI, 1.05-11.00). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the need to protect their sexual partners from HIV infection, HIV(+) subjects free of CMV infection should use condoms to avoid CMV infection and its complications.

[Prevalence and incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in patients infected with HIV-1. SEROCO group]. / Prévalence et incidence de l'infection par le cytomégalovirus chez les sujets infectés par le VIH-1. Le groupe SEROCO.

OBJECTIVES: To study prevalence of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as well as incidence of the CMV seroconversions in HIV-infected subjects enrolled in the French multicentric cohort SEROCO. METHOD: Prevalence of CMV infection at inclusion in the cohort was estimated from 1504 HIV-infected subjects. Incidence of the CMV seroconversion was estimated from 184 subjects CMV seronegative at inclusion. Cox model was used to identify independent factors related to CMV seroconversion. RESULTS: CMV prevalence was high (87.2%) mainly in homosexual men. The incidence of the CMV seroconversions was also high (9, 18/100 person-years), particularly in homosexual men, in subjects declaring sexual intercourse with occasional partner, and in those declaring a sexually transmitted disease during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk to develop serious disease related to CMV in subjects with AIDS being particularly high when the CMV primary infection occurs during the course of the HIV infection, the prevention of CMV primary infections is thus a major element in the counselling of HIV-infected subjects.

Prevalence and determinants of current contraceptive method use in a palm oil company in Cameroon.

The principal reasons given by African women for not using contraception include their lack of economic power and control over their choice of partner. An epidemiologic descriptive survey of a cross-section of the female personnel of a Cameroonian palm oil company (SOCAPALM) was carried out in August 1995, to evaluate the various determinants and level of use of various family planning methods in a well defined population of women in employment. An exhaustive list of all the households in the five villages of SOCAPALM was compiled and all women between 15 and 49 years of age who had lived on the palm oil plantation for at least a year were interviewed. The adjusted odds ratios showed that use of modern contraceptive methods was significantly associated with the woman having received secondary education, having more than three children, being the head of the household and, in cases where there was a man regularly present in the household, his approval of family planning. Recently receiving information (during the last month) about family planning was not identified by multivariate analysis as a significant factor affecting the decision to use modern or traditional contraception. The same factors were found to be associated with the use of traditional methods of contraception, but having had an illegal abortion was also associated with the use of such methods. Thus, the level of knowledge about family planning and the prevalence of contraceptive use was significantly higher for women living in industrial environments (such as SOCAPALM), than in the overall population of women in Cameroon. The economic power of the woman, the presence of a strong social reproductive health network, and the positive attitude of men and community leaders were the most important factors affecting the family planning decision of the women.

PIP: The prevalence and determinants of contraceptive usage were investigated in a cross-sectional study of female workers at a palm oil company in Kienke, Cameroon. All 385 women 15-49 years of age (mean age, 29.8 years) who had lived on the palm oil plantation for at least a year and were at risk of pregnancy were interviewed. 28% of respondents reported ever-use of modern contraception and 21% had used traditional methods; use rates at the time of interview were 10% and 16%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated use of modern contraceptive methods was significantly associated with a secondary education or higher, having more than three children, being the head of the household, and (if a man was present in the household) partner approval of family planning. These same factors, with the addition of a history of illegal abortion, were significant determinants of use of traditional methods. Receipt of family planning information in the previous month was not a significant determinant of use of either modern or traditional contraception. The higher prevalence of contraceptive use among women living in this industrial environment relative to women in other parts of Cameroon or in west and central Africa suggests the salience of economic power to women's contraceptive use patterns.

[Risk reduction and intravenous drug use abstinence in patients with HIV infection. The SEROCO group]. / Réduction des risques et arrêt de la prise de drogues intraveineuses chez des sujets infectés par le VIH. Groupe SEROCO.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the complex stepwise process of giving up intravenous (i.v.) drugs. However, HIV risk reduction programs directed towards i.v. drug users have been accused by some opponents to encourage users to continue. In order to better assess the relationships between risk reduction and abstinence, we studied factors associated with abstinence in HIV-infected patients using i.v. drugs at enrollment in the SEROCO cohort (1988-1994). METHODS: 63 HIV-infected patients injecting i.v. drugs at enrollment were followed-up every 6 months with a clinical examination and a questionnaire concerning sexual and drugs practices since last consultation. Abstinence was defined as non injecting for at least 6 months. The 30 patients who became abstinent during a follow-up period of 3 years were compared to the 33 remaining. RESULTS: Abstinence during follow-up was not related to age at inclusion, duration of i.v. drug use, gender or marital status. However, patients who became abstinent were more likely to have a professional activity at inclusion than the remaining (70% vs 42%, p = 0.03). Before knowledge of HIV infection, frequency of injections, needle sharing and use of condoms did not differ between the 2 groups. During follow-up, behavioural changes occurred in the two groups, but were more marked in those who lately became abstinent. These latter were more likely to always inject with new needles/syringes (57% vs 18%, p = 0.003), and to use condoms with HIV-negative partners or of unknown status (73% vs 39%, p = 0.06). Professional activity and systematic use of new needles/syringes remained independently associated with abstinence in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, abstinence appeared as a stepwise process in which risk reduction preceded abstinence. This confirms that risk reduction programs do not work against those messages aimed at stopping i.v. drug use. Since this analysis selected particular subjects, enrolled in a cohort of HIV-infected patients, results should be confirmed in other samples of i.v. drugs users.

PIP: Few prospective studies have described the stepwise process of giving up intravenous drug (IV) use. In an effort to deepen the understanding of the relationship between risk reduction related to IV drug use and giving up such drug use, the authors studied factors associated with IV drug abstinence among HIV-infected patients using IV drugs at their enrollment in the multicenter French cohort SEROCO between 1988 and 1994. 63 HIV-infected patients injecting IV drugs at enrollment were followed clinically every 6 months and with a questionnaire on their sexual practices and drug use since their most recent consultations. The termination of drug use was defined as not using drugs for a period of at least 6 months. The 30 subjects who gave up IV drug use over the 3-year follow-up were compared to the 33 subjects who continued using IV drugs. Those who gave up IV drugs were more likely to be professionally active at enrollment than those who kept injecting, they more often used during the follow-up period new injection materials for each injection, and more often used condoms with HIV-negative partners and those of unknown serostatus. The abandonment of IV drug use in this study followed a stepwise process in which the reduction of risks preceded the eventual cessation of drug use.

[Obstetric complications of the first trimester in Western Africa]. / Complications obstétricales du premier trimestre en Afrique de l'Ouest.

The obstetrical complications affecting women in Benin, Senegal and Ivory Coast during the first trimester of pregnancy were studied. Information about the 345 women included in the study was collected from registers maintained by the eight participating maternity units. The most frequent complications observed were spontaneous abortions (50% of admissions), complications of induced abortions (34%), and ectopic pregnancy (8%). Overall, the patients appear to have gained rapid access to care: two thirds of the women underwent interventions on the day of admission. Nevertheless, there were three maternal deaths, two of which followed induced abortion complications.

Pre-AIDS mortality from natural causes associated with HIV disease progression: evidence from the European Seroconverter Study among injecting drug users.

OBJECTIVES: To study differences in pre-AIDS mortality between European cohorts of injecting drug users (IDU) and to evaluate whether pre-AIDS mortality increased with time since HIV seroconversion and decreasing CD4 count. METHODS: The study population consisted of 664 IDU with documented intervals of HIV seroconversion from eight cohort studies. Differences in pre-AIDS mortality were studied between European sites; an evaluation of whether pre-AIDS mortality increased with time since HIV seroconversion and decreasing CD4 count was carried out using Poisson regression. RESULTS: One hundred and seven IDU died, of whom 57 did not have AIDS. Pre-AIDS causes of death were overdose/suicide (49%), natural causes such as bacterial infections/cirrhosis (40%), and unintentional injuries/unknown (11%). Considering pre-AIDS death and AIDS as competing risks, 14.7% were expected to have died without AIDS and 17.3% to have developed AIDS at 7 years from seroconversion. No statistically significant differences in pre-AIDS mortality were found between European regions, men and women, age categories and calendar time periods. Overall pre-AIDS mortality did not increase with time since seroconversion, but did increase with decreasing CD4 count. Evaluating cause-specific mortality, only pre-AIDS mortality from natural causes appeared to be associated with time since seroconversion as well as immunosuppression. For natural causes, the death rate per 100 person-years was 0.13 the first 2 years after seroconversion, 0.73 in years 2-4 [risk relative (RR) to years 0-2, 5.6], 1.83 in years 4-6 (RR, 14.0) and 1.54 for > or = 6 years (RR, 11.7). This rate was 0 for a CD4 cell count > or = 500 x 10(6)/l, 1.06 for 200-500 x 10(6)/l and 4.06 for < 200 x 10(6)/l (RR versus > or = 200 x 10(6)/l, 7.0). In multivariate analysis, both CD4 count and time since seroconversion appeared to be independently associated with death from natural causes; CD4 count appeared to be the strongest predictor (adjusted RR, 5.9). CONCLUSIONS: A high pre-AIDS mortality rate was observed among IDU. No significant differences were observed across European sites. Pre-AIDS mortality from natural causes but not from overdose and suicide was associated with HIV disease progression.

Sexual factors associated with cytomegalovirus seropositivity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men. The Seroco Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Many people infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquire severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases. Factors associated with CMV seropositivity are poorly documented in sexually active HIV-infected men. GOAL: To study CMV seroprevalence in HIV-infected men according to sexual behavior before the diagnosis of HIV seropositivity. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. CMV seroprevalence was studied at enrollment in a prospective cohort of homosexual and heterosexual men infected by HIV through sexual contact. RESULTS: In the study population (n = 723), age, sexual preference, previous lifetime history of sexually transmitted diseases, and multiple sexual partners were independently related to CMV seropositivity. Furthermore, routine condom use during the 6 months before diagnosis of HIV seropositivity was significantly related to CMV seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-1.0), occasional condom use being of borderline significance [adjusted OR: 0.5, CI: 0.2-1.3]. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of sexual factors in the acquisition of CMV infection by HIV-infected men and suggests a protective effect of condom use.

Has the rate of progression to AIDS changed in recent years?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the rate of progression to AIDS has changed over time by testing an effect of the year of seroconversion on AIDS onset (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1987 revised classification), next to an effect of the calendar period of follow-up. DESIGN: French multicentre prospective study of 385 homosexual and heterosexual subjects and 231 subjects from a multicentre study of European injecting drug users (IDU), all with a documented date of HIV-1 seroconversion. METHOD: The effect of the year of seroconversion was compared by the log-rank test. Crude and adjusted relative hazard (ARH) were quantified using the Cox model. Calendar period of follow-up was studied separately for sexual exposure group and IDU and treated as a time-dependent variable in a Cox model. RESULTS: In the 616 study subjects the year of seroconversion was not significantly related to AIDS occurrence (n = 108); the ARH was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.38] for those who seroconverted in 1988-1989, and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.61-2.25) for those who seroconverted after 1989, compared with those who seroconverted before 1988. In the sexual exposure group, a clear trend towards less rapid progression to AIDS was observed in subjects followed in 1991-1992 (ARH, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.24-0.99) and after 1992 (ARH, 0.54; 95% CI; 0.24-1.21), compared with those followed before 1991. This favorable trend was not observed in IDU despite a significant decrease over time of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia as AIDS-defining illness. Conversely to sexual exposure groups, the frequency of antiretroviral treatment (mainly zidovudine) prescription was still low during the most recent calendar periods in IDU when the CD4 count threshold of 200 x 10(6)/l was reached. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found of a change in the rate of progression to AIDS in subjects who seroconverted in recent years. Furthermore, conversely to sexual exposure groups, the lack of favorable trends in IDU users followed in recent years suggest that health-care systems are not always adapted to their lifestyles.

Contraceptive continuation and its determinants in Benin.

To understand better the rates of continuation of different contraceptive methods, a study in 12 family planning centers in Cotonou and Porto Novo, the two largest cities in Benin, was conducted. From January 1 to December 31, 1993, 944 questionnaires completed by new women acceptors of one of three methods of contraception (oral contraceptive, injection, or IUD) were analyzed. For all methods of contraception, the average length of follow-up was 9.5 months. From the start of the analysis, 44.4% (n = 419) of the women were regularly followed, 49.5% (n = 467) were not regularly followed, and 6.1% (n = 58) reported discontinuation of the method. One year after beginning the use of contraception, the cumulative proportion of women at risk of becoming pregnant, for all the methods together, was 42.0% (38.6-45.4%). Age was associated with the probability of abandoning oral contraception (p = 0.01). Three months after the start, the cumulative proportion of drop-out women having chosen oral contraceptive was 37.2% (22.8-51.6%) of the less than 20-year-olds, 19.0% (14.3-23.7%) of the 20- to 30-year-olds, and 23.4% (15.6-31.2%) of the over 30-year-olds. In contrast, drop-out was not associated with age for women using injection (p = 0.96) or the IUD (p = 0.47). Our results indicate a relatively high and rapid rate of discontinuation for modern contraceptive methods, particularly for young women having chosen oral contraceptive. This finding should incite the family planning educators to give more emphasis to the counseling programs, especially during the first three months.