Mark A. Barone

Preparing for HPV vaccination in South Africa: Key challenges and opinions

This article reports on qualitative research investigating key challenges and barriers towards human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 50 in-depth interviews and 6 focus groups were conducted at policy, health service and community levels of enquiry. Respondents expressed overall support for the HPV vaccine, underscored by difficulties associated with the current cervical screening programmes and the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Overall poor community knowledge of cervical cancer and the causal relationship between HPV and cervical cancer suggests the need for continued education around the importance of regular cervical screening. The optimal target populations for HPV vaccination was influenced by the perceived median age of sexual activity in South African girls (9-15 years), with an underlying concern that high levels of sexual abuse had significantly decreased the age of sexual exposure suggesting vaccination should commence as early as 9 years. Vaccination through schools with the involvement of other stakeholders such as sexual and reproductive health and the advanced programme on immunization (EPI) were suggested. Opposition to the HPV vaccine was not anticipated if the vaccine was marketed as preventing cervical cancer rather than a sexually transmitted infection. The findings assist in identifying potential barriers and facilitating factors towards HPV vaccines and will inform the development of policy and programs to support HPV vaccination introduction in South Africa and other African countries.

Vasectomy in the United States, 2002

PURPOSE We estimated the number of vasectomies performed in the United States in 2002 and gathered information on the vasectomy procedures and protocols used. It follows similar studies done in 1991 and 1995. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective mail survey with telephone followup was performed in 2,300 urologists, family physicians and general surgeons randomly sampled from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. RESULTS The response rate was 73.8%. An estimated 526,501 vasectomies were performed in 2002 for a rate of 10.2/1,000 men 25 to 49 years old. Overall 37.8% of physicians reported currently using no scalpel vasectomy and almost half of the vasectomies performed in 2002 were no scalpel vasectomies. Methods of vas occlusion varied in and among specialties with a combination of ligation and cautery being most common (41.0% of cases). Of the physicians 45.6% reported routinely performing fascial interposition, 94.4% reported removing a vas segment, 23.3% reported routinely folding back 1 or 2 ends of the vas and 7.5% reported using open-ended vasectomy. Followup protocols varied widely. Of respondents 53.5% reported charging

Vasectomy surgical techniques: a systematic review.

401 to

Demographics of Vasectomy—USA and International

600 for vasectomy in 2002. CONCLUSIONS Although the estimated number of vasectomies performed in the United States during 2002 represents an increase from 1991 and 1995, incidence rates remained unchanged at approximately 10/1,000 men 25 to 49 years old. The percent of vasectomies performed using no scalpel vasectomy as well as the number of physicians who reported that they use no scalpel vasectomy increased substantially since 1995. Wide variation in surgical techniques and followup protocols were found.

The Shang Ring device for adult male circumcision: a proof of concept study in Kenya.

BackgroundA wide variety of surgical techniques are used to perform vasectomy. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess if any surgical techniques to isolate or occlude the vas are associated with better outcomes in terms of occlusive and contraceptive effectiveness, and complications.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE (1966-June 2003), EMBASE (1980-June 2003), reference lists of retrieved articles, urology textbooks, and our own files looking for studies comparing two or more vasectomy surgical techniques and reporting on effectiveness and complications. From 2,058 titles or abstracts, two independent reviewers identified 224 as potentially relevant. Full reports of 219 articles were retrieved and final selection was made by the same two independent reviewers using the same criteria as for the initial selection. Discrepancies were resolved by involving a third reviewer. Data were extracted and methodological quality of selected studies was assessed by two independent reviewers. Studies were divided in broad categories (isolation, occlusion, and combined isolation and occlusion techniques) and sub-categories of specific surgical techniques performed. Qualitative analyses and syntheses were done.ResultsOf 31 comparative studies (37 articles), only four were randomized clinical trials, most studies were observational and retrospective. Overall methodological quality was low. From nine studies on vas isolation, there is good evidence that the no-scalpel vasectomy approach decreases the risk of surgical complications, namely hematoma/bleeding and infection, compared with incisional techniques. Five comparative studies including one high quality randomized clinical trial provided good evidence that fascial interposition (FI) increases the occlusive effectiveness of ligation and excision. Results of 11 comparative studies suggest that FI with cautery of the vas lumen provides the highest level of occlusive effectiveness, even when leaving the testicular end open. Otherwise, firm evidence to support any occlusion technique in terms of increased effectiveness or decreased risk of complications is lacking.ConclusionsCurrent evidence supports no-scalpel vasectomy as the safest surgical approach to isolate the vas when performing vasectomy. Adding FI increases effectiveness beyond ligation and excision alone. Occlusive effectiveness appears to be further improved by combining FI with cautery. Methodologically sound prospective controlled studies should be conducted to evaluate specific occlusion techniques further.

The potential cost-effectiveness of adding a human papillomavirus vaccine to the cervical cancer screening programme in South Africa

Vasectomy is safer, simpler, less expensive, and equally as effective as female sterilization--yet it remains one of the least known and least used methods of contraception. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million of married women ages 15 to 49 (less than 3%) rely on their partners vasectomy for contraception.

Vasectomy by ligation and excision, with or without fascial interposition: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN77781689]

Objective:To assess safety, preliminary efficacy, and acceptability of the Shang Ring, a novel disposable device for adult male circumcision in Kenya. Methods:Forty HIV-negative men were recruited in Homa Bay, Kenya. Circumcisions were performed by a trained physician or nurse working with 1 assistant. Follow-up was conducted at 2, 7, 9, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after circumcision. Rings were removed on day 7. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible). Men were interviewed at enrollment and on days 7 and 42. Results:All 40 procedures were completed successfully. Mean procedure and device removal times were 4.8 (SD ± 2.0) and 3.9 (SD ± 2.6) minutes, respectively. There were 6 mild adverse events, including 3 penile skin injuries, 2 cases of edema, and 1 infection; all resolved with conservative management. In addition, there were 3 partial ring detachments between days 2-7. None required treatment or early ring removal. Erections with the ring were well tolerated, with a mean pain score of 3.5 (SD ± 2.3). By day 2, 80% of men were back to work. At 42 days, all participants were very satisfied with their circumcision and would recommend the procedure to others. Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that the Shang Ring is safe for further study in Africa. Acceptability of the Shang Ring among participants was excellent. With short procedure times, less surgical skill required, and the ease with which it can be used by nonphysicians, the Shang Ring could facilitate rapid roll-out of male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa.

Effectiveness of vasectomy using cautery

This study was designed to answer the question of whether a cervical cancer prevention programme that incorporates a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is potentially more cost-effective than the current strategy of screening alone in South Africa. We developed a static Markov state transition model to describe the screening and management of cervical cancer within the South African context. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of adding HPV vaccination to the screening programme ranged from US

Frequency and patterns of early recanalization after vasectomy.

1078 to 1460 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and US

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Shang Ring Versus Conventional Surgical Techniques for Adult Male Circumcision: Safety and Acceptability

3320-4495 per life year saved, mainly depending on whether the study was viewed from a health service or a societal perspective. Using discounted costs and benefits, the threshold analysis indicated that a vaccine price reduction of 60% or more would make the vaccine plus screening strategy more cost-effective than the screening only approach. To address the issue of affordability and cost-effectiveness, the pharmaceutical companies need to make a commitment to price reductions.