Anna Mia Ekström

Dietary antioxidant intake and the risk of cardia cancer and noncardia cancer of the intestinal and diffuse types: A population-based case-control study in Sweden

In spite of diverging incidence trends, subsite, and subtype‐specific gastric cancer data on the association with dietary antioxidants are sparse. We aimed to test whether the apparent protective effect of antioxidants is mainly confined to noncardia (distal) cancer of the intestinal subtype, to which most of the incidence decline in gastric cancer has been ascribed. In a Swedish study base (total population 1.3 million), we interviewed 567 cases uniformly classified to subsite (cardia vs. noncardia) and subtype (intestinal vs. diffuse), and 1165 population‐based controls, frequency matched for age and sex. Serologic data on H. pylori status was available for a subset of 542 individuals. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was inversely associated with all subsites and subtypes of gastric cancer in a significant dose–response manner (all p<0.05), with risk reductions between 40% and 60%. β‐carotene was also strongly and negatively associated with risk, particularly with the intestinal type. The associations with α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) were less clear. The highest parallel intake of all three antioxidants (quartiles 4), compared to those with the lowest parallel intakes (quartiles 1), was associated with a 70% lower risk of developing noncardia cancer (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.9). Our results suggest that antioxidants might be especially beneficial among subjects at increased risk for gastric cancer such as smokers and those infected by H. pylori. We conclude that a high intake of antioxidants, as a consequence of high consumption of fruit and vegetables, may lower the risk not only for gastric cancer of the intestinal type, but also for diffuse type adenocarcinoma and cardia cancer. Int. J. Cancer 87:133–140, 2000.

Socioeconomic determinants of infant mortality: A worldwide study of 152 low-, middle-, and high-income countries

Background: To reach the Millennium Development Goals for health, influential international bodies advocate for more resources to be directed to the health sector, in particular medical treatment. Yet, health has many determinants beyond the health sector that are less evident than proximate predictors. Aim: To assess the relative importance of major socioeconomic determinants of population health, measured as infant mortality rate (IMR), at country level. Methods: National-level data from 152 countries based on World Development Indicators 2003 were used for multivariate linear regression analyses of five socioeconomic predictors of IMR: public spending on health, GNI/capita, poverty rate, income equality (Gini index), and young female illiteracy rate. Analyses were performed on a global level and stratified for low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Results: In order of importance, GNI/capita, young female illiteracy, and income equality predicted 92% of the variation in national IMR whereas public spending on health and poverty rate were non-significant determinants when adjusted for confounding. In low-income countries, female illiteracy was more important than GNI/capita. Income equality (Gini index) was an independent predictor of IMR in middle-income countries only. In high-income countries none of these predictors was significant. Conclusions: The relative importance of major health determinants varies between income levels, thus extrapolating health policies from high- to low-income countries is problematic. Since the size, per se, of public health spending does not independently predict health outcomes, functioning health systems are necessary to make health investments efficient. Potential health gains from improved female education and economic growth should be considered in low- and middle-income countries

The dilemma of safe sex and having children: challenges facing HIV sero-discordant couples in Uganda

CONTEXT Contraceptive discontinuation is a common event that may be associated with low motivation to avoid pregnancy. If this is the case, a substantial proportion of pregnancies that follow discontinuation will be reported as intended. METHODS Demographic and Health Survey data from six countries (Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Kenya, the Philippines and Zimbabwe) over the period 1999-2003 were used to explore the proportions of pregnancies women reported as intended or unintended following various contraceptive behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the characteristics of women who reported births as intended when they followed contraceptive failure or discontinuation for reasons other than a desire for pregnancy. RESULTS The proportion of births reported as intended following contraceptive failure ranged from 16% in Bangladesh to 54% in Kazakhstan, and the proportion reported as intended following discontinuation for reasons other than a desire for pregnancy ranged from 37% in Kenya to 51% in Kazakhstan. In at least half the countries, associations were found between selected womens characteristics and their reports that births following either contraceptive failure or discontinuation were intended: Factors that were positively associated were womens age and the time elapsed between contraceptive discontinuation and the index conception; factors that were negatively associated were increasing number of living children and reporting method failure as opposed to method discontinuation. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that underlying variation in the motivation to avoid pregnancy is an important factor in contraceptive discontinuation.BACKGROUND Sixty percent of new HIV infections in Uganda occur in stable relationships between HIV discordant couples. Given the importance of fertility in Uganda, we hypothesized that unsafe sexual practices may be used to found a family/replace a dead child. Thus, we explored sexual practices to understand to what extent these are influenced by the desire to have children and the implications for HIV transmission among discordant couples. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 114 HIV discordant couples in Kampala, and in-depth interviews with 15 purposively selected couples. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis done to identify factors associated with consistent condom use. Thematic content analysis of qualitative data was done using NVIVO 2. RESULTS Participants wanting children and those with multiple sexual partners were less likely to use condoms (Adj OR 0.51, and 0.36 respectively). Three of the five types of sexual practices used by couples do not allow pregnancy to occur. Main reasons for wanting a child included: ensuring lineage continuity and posterity, securing relationships and pressure from relatives to reproduce. Challenges included: risk of HIV transmission to partner and child, lack of negotiating power for safer sex, failure of health systems to offer safe methods of reproduction CONCLUSIONS HIV sero-discordant couples with strong desire for childbearing have a dilemma of risking HIV infection or infecting their spouse. Some risk transmission of HIV infection to reproduce. We need to address gender issues, risky behaviour and reproductive health services for HIV sero-discordant couples.

Tobacco, alcohol and the risk of gastric cancer by sub-site and histologic type

Few studies have provided information on the role of smoking and alcohol in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer by sub‐site and histologic type. The relationship of snuff dipping with risk of gastric cancer has also been rarely studied. In a population‐based case‐control study conducted in 5 counties of Sweden from February 1989 to January 1995, a total of 90 cases of gastric cardia cancer, 260 and 164 cases of distal gastric cancer of intestinal and diffuse types, respectively, and 1164 frequency‐matched control subjects were personally interviewed about life‐time smoking, use of smokeless tobacco and use of alcohol 20 years ago. Current smokers had a higher risk than never‐smokers for all 3 kinds of gastric adenocarcinoma [odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–3.1 for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma; OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7 for distal gastric cancer of intestinal type; and OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.5 for distal gastric cancer of diffuse type], and the risk rose with increasing dose and duration of smoking among current smokers. However, no elevated risk was observed for ex‐smokers. Neither intake of alcoholic beverages nor snuff dipping was associated with an increased risk of any type of cardia or gastric cancer. Our study did not support the hypothesis that the role of tobacco differs by sub‐site and histologic sub‐type of gastric cancer. Int. J. Cancer 83:223‐229, 1999.

Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels in South Asian women with growth- retarded fetuses

Objective.  To investigate whether intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm delivery in a poor population of South Asia was associated with altered maternal and fetal levels of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine.

Viremia and drug resistance among HIV-1 patients on antiretroviral treatment: a cross-sectional study in Soweto, South Africa

Background:We assessed risk factors for viremia and drug resistance among long-term recipients of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa. Methods:In 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional study among patients receiving ART for 12 months or more. Genotypic resistance testing was performed on individuals with a viral load higher than 400 RNA copies/ml. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations. Results:Of 998 participants, 75% were women with a median age of 41 years. Most (64%) had been on treatment for more than 3 years. The prevalence of viremia was 14% (n = 139): 12% (102/883) on first-line [i.e. nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimen] and 33% (37/115) on second-line (i.e. protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimen) ART. Of viremic patients, 78% had drug resistance mutations. For NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs, the prevalence of mutations was 64, 81 and 2%, respectively, among first-line failures and 29, 54 and 6%, respectively, among second-line failures. M184V/I, K103N and V106A/M were the most common mutations. Significant risk factors associated with viremia on first-line regimen included concurrent tuberculosis treatment [odds ratio (OR) 6.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–18.8, P < 0.01] and a recent history of poor adherence (OR 2.7, 1.3–5.6, P = 0.01). Among second-line failures, attending a public clinic (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.8–11.3, P < 0.01) and not having a refrigerator at home (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.2–37.5, P = 0.03) were risk factors for virological failure. Conclusion:Risk factors for viral failure were line regimen dependent. Second-line ART recipients had a higher rate of viremia, albeit with infrequent PI drug resistance mutations. Measures to maintain effective virologic suppression should include increased adherence counseling, attention to concomitant tuberculosis treatment and heat-stable formulations of second-line ART regimens.

Reasons for unsatisfactory acceptance of antiretroviral treatment in the urban Kibera slum, Kenya

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore why patients in the urban Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya, offered free antiretroviral treatment (ART) at the Médecins Sans Frontièrs (MSF) clinic, choose not to be treated despite signs of AIDS. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 patients, 9 men and 17 women. Six main reasons emerged for not accepting ART: a) fear of taking medication on an empty stomach due to lack of food; b) fear that side-effects associated with ART would make one more ill; c) fear of disclosure and its possible negative repercussions; d) concern for continuity of treatment and care; e) conflicting information from religious leaders and community, and seeking alternative care (e.g. traditional medicine); f) illiteracy making patients unable to understand the information given by health workers.

Mistrust in marriage-Reasons why men do not accept couple HIV testing during antenatal care- a qualitative study in eastern Uganda

BackgroundA policy for couple HIV counseling and testing was introduced in 2006 in Uganda, urging pregnant women and their spouses to be HIV tested together during antenatal care (ANC). The policy aims to identify HIV-infected pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through prophylactic antiretroviral treatment, to provide counseling, and to link HIV-infected persons to care. However, the uptake of couple testing remains low. This study explores mens views on, and experiences of couple HIV testing during ANC.MethodsThe study was conducted at two time points, in 2008 and 2009, in the rural Iganga and Mayuge districts of eastern Uganda. We carried out nine focus group discussions, about 10 participants in each, and in-depth interviews with 13 men, all of whom were fathers. Data were collected in the local language, Lusoga, audio-recorded and thereafter translated and transcribed into English and analyzed using content analysis.ResultsMen were fully aware of the availability of couple HIV testing, but cited several barriers to their use of these services. The men perceived their marriages as unstable and distrustful, making the idea of couple testing unappealing because of the conflicts it could give rise to. Further, they did not understand why they should be tested if they did not have symptoms. Finally, the perceived stigmatizing nature of HIV care and rude attitudes among health workers at the health facilities led them to view the health facilities providing ANC as unwelcoming. The men in our study had several suggestions for how to improve the current policy: peer sensitization of men, make health facilities less stigmatizing and more male-friendly, train health workers to meet mens needs, and hold discussions between health workers and community members.ConclusionsIn summary, pursuing couple HIV testing as a main avenue for making men more willing to test and support PMTCT for their wives, does not seem to work in its current form in this region. HIV services must be better adapted to local gender systems taking into account that incentives, health-seeking behavior and health system barriers differ between men and women.

Domestic violence as risk factor for unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

Objective  To compare pregnancy intention and domestic violence among women with induced and spontaneous abortion.

Long-Term Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment and Program Drop-Out in a High-Risk Urban Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background Seventy percent of urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa live in slums. Sustaining HIV patients in these high-risk and highly mobile settings is a major future challenge. This study seeks to assess program retention and to find determinants for low adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and drop-out from an established HIV/ART program in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Africas largest informal urban settlements. Methods and Findings A prospective open cohort study of 800 patients was performed at the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) clinic in the Kibera slum. Adherence to ART and drop-out from the ART program were independent outcomes. Two different adherence measures were used: (1) “dose adherence” (the proportion of a prescribed dose taken over the past 4 days) and (2) “adherence index” (based on three adherence questions covering dosing, timing and special instructions). Drop-out from the program was calculated based on clinic appointment dates and number of prescribed doses, and a patient was defined as being lost to follow-up if over 90 days had expired since the last prescribed dose. More than one third of patients were non-adherent when all three aspects of adherence – dosing, timing and special instructions – were taken into account. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that not disclosing HIV status, having a low level of education, living below the poverty limit (US