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A study published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helps shed light on factors that may be contributing to HIV infection among some African-American women.
PRESS CONTACT: Office of Communications CDC, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (404) 639-8895 |
Results from a North Carolina study reveal several significant differences between a sample of black women recently diagnosed with HIV infection and a sample of uninfected women recruited from HIV testing sites. HIV-infected women in the study were more likely than uninfected women to have a lifetime history of genital herpes infection and be receiving public assistance, and less likely to have discussed a variety of sexual issues with their partner. When asked about factors influencing risk behavior among African-American women, participants reported that multiple issues play a role, including financial dependence on male partners, low self-esteem, feelings of invincibility, and alcohol and drug use. Despite high levels of risk behavior among study participants, more than half of women in both groups perceived themselves to be at low risk for infection. Study authors note that a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach is needed to address the complex factors contributing to HIV risk in this population.
Levels of youth tobacco use in the Philippines declined substantially over a short period.
PRESS CONTACT: Office of Communications CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion (770) 488-5131 |
Comprehensive tobacco control programs play a critical role to reduce global tobacco use, particularly among youth. Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of premature death and disease worldwide. A disproportionate share of the global tobacco burden falls on developing countries where an estimated 84 percent of the worlds 1.3 billion current smokers live. Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in the Philippines in 2000 and 2003 reveal substantial declines in a representative sample of students aged 1315 years who currently smoke cigarettes, currently use other tobacco products, are likely to start smoking in the next year, or are exposed to second hand smoke in public places. The findings also indicate an increase in students who learned about the dangers of tobacco use in school, had seen anti-tobacco messages in media and advertising, and support bans on smoking in public places.
The Sudan outbreak underscores the importance of continued SIAs in polio-free countries with low routine immunization coverage and critical need to have high quality AFP surveillance throughout the country to be able to respond rapidly to poliovirus importations.
PRESS CONTACT: Denise Johnson, M.S. Acting Chief, Polio Eradication Branch CDC, Global Immunization Division, NIP (404) 639-8487 |
Since 1998, Sudan has made substantial progress eradicating polio; no wild PV has been reported from May 2001-April 2004. However, in May 2004, a wild PV case was detected in West Darfur and a polio outbreak is currently affecting 17 of 26 states with a total of 112 cases reported as of January 14, 2005 (109 PV1 and 3 PV3). The epidemic curve suggests a waning of the outbreak; the last case reported had paralysis onset December 14. The global eradication initiative should increase efforts to stop transmission in Sudan to prevent further spread into neighboring countries. The outbreak illustrates the risk of wild PV importation posed by areas where polio remains hyperendemic, such as northern Nigeria and underscores the importance of continued SIAs in polio-free countries with low routine immunization coverage and the need to ensure high quality AFP surveillance throughout the country.
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