scholarly journals Lost opportunity to save newborn lives: variable national antenatal screening policies for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 660-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Medline ◽  
Dvora Joseph Davey ◽  
Jeffrey D Klausner
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
National Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Antenatal Screening ◽  
Ministry Of Health

Unfavorable pregnancy outcomes caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection are well known. The first step in addressing antenatal C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection is a national policy to screen all pregnant women for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae, regardless of symptoms. The aim of this study was to inform policy makers on the presence of antenatal screening recommendations for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection. We conducted a three-part study from June 2015 to February 2016. We analyzed English and French language information online on Ministry of Health websites regarding C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae antenatal screening. We referenced both primary official country and regional policy documents. We contacted the Ministry of Health directly if the information on the national antenatal screening was outdated or unavailable. In parallel, we sent a survey to the regional representative from the World Health Organization to help collect country-level data. Fourteen countries have current policies for antenatal screening of C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae infection: Australia, the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Japan, Germany, Latvia, New Zealand, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Australia, New Zealand, and Latvia and the United States restricted antenatal screening to women ≤25 years old and those of higher risk. Several countries responded that they had policies to treat pregnant women with symptoms. This is the currently recommended WHO guideline but is not the same as universal screening. North Korea had policies in place which were not implemented due to lack of personnel and/or supplies. National level policies to support routine screening for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection to prevent adverse pregnancy and newborn outcomes are uncommon.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis screening in pregnancy in New Zealand: translation of national guidelines into practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Wise ◽  
Lynn Sadler ◽  
Alec Ekeroma
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Antenatal Screening ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
In Pregnancy

INTRODUCTION: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and routine antenatal screening to reduce the risk of vertical transmission is recommended in New Zealand (NZ). AIM: To determine the proportion of pregnant women who have been screened for C. trachomatis in selected hospitals since the 2008 NZ Ministry of Health Chlamydia Management Guidelines were published, and to examine variation by age and ethnicity. METHODS: Clinical audits were undertaken at four NZ hospitals, using electronic databases to determine if C. trachomatis screening had occurred. RESULTS: Only 24%, 31%, 35% and 61% of pregnant women were screened in Tauranga (2010), Auckland (2013), Waikato (2013) and Middlemore (2011) hospitals, respectively. DISCUSSION: Despite increases in the proportion of pregnant women screened in Auckland and Middlemore compared to pre-2008, and higher proportions of young women and Maori women screened, overall antenatal screening for C. trachomatis remains suboptimal. Several strategies are presented to support universal screening in pregnancy, as recommended by the NZ Ministry of Health. KEYWORDS: Chlamydia trachomatis; mass screening; medical audit; pregnancy

International Use of the AMA Guides® to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Mohammed I. Ranavaya ◽  
Christopher R. Brigham
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Personal Injury ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Fourth Edition

Abstract Since its inception more than six decades ago, the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, (AMA Guides), has become internationally accepted as a global benchmark and is used in the United States, Canada, certain European countries, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Africa, as well as by the United Nations. When the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, adopted the terminology and conceptual framework of disablement developed by the World Health Organization, this paradigm shift let to an increase in the worldwide influence and use of the AMA Guides. In the United States, the AMA Guides is used primarily in state and federal workers’ compensation systems and sometimes in automobile casualty and personal injury arenas. Most workers’ compensation jurisdictions across Canada use the AMA Guides formally by statute or regulation, or they accept its use informally as a standard tool to rate impairment. In Australia, the AMA Guides is used in both federal and individual state or territory compensation schemes for personal injuries that arise from work, as well as motor vehicle accidents (a table presents uses of the AMA Guides in Australian jurisdictions). New Zealand uses the AMA Guides, Fourth Edition, and the ACC User Handbook to the AMA “Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment,” Fourth Edition. The AMA Guides is used in Hong Kong to evaluate all types of damages for personal injury claims and also is referenced in Southern Africa, Europe, and countries in the Middle East.

scholarly journals Mitigation Measures during Elections and It’s Impacts on COVID-19 Pandemic: Sabah State (Malaysia), New Zealand and the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-156
Author(s):  
Syaza Zainudin ◽  
Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim ◽  
Nor Nadia Mohamad Ridza
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
The People ◽  
Election Process ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Health Organization

Background and Objective: Countries all over the world respect the election process asone of the fundamental steps in forming a government. However, the exponential spread ofCOVID-19 has been deeply alarming, with a high number of positive cases and total deaths,forcing World Health Organization to declare it as a pandemic on 11th March 2020. Duringthese unprecedented events, governments have had a tough decision to balance between theconstitutional obligation to hold an election and the safety of the people. As such, electoralcommissions have implemented numerous approaches to allow election to proceed in a safeand controlled setting during the pandemic.Methods: The preventative measures and standard operating procedures in the Sabah stateof Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States elections are discussed, as well as COVID19 post-election situation in respective countries. Innovative approaches and electionflexibilities shall be considered to allow voting in the safest way possible, following the newnormal.Discussion: Nevertheless, countries need to evaluate its strength of public health responsewhen deciding to hold elections due to potential devastating outbreaks following electionsdespite measures taken.Conclusion: The election is a fundamental process in a democracy. Countries are requiredto be flexible and innovative in their approach to hold a safe election. Nevertheless, it maybe prudent for countries with fewer resources and poor pandemic control to postponeelection as a rise in cases will be catastrophic, putting many lives at risk.

scholarly journals 1532. Demographics and Population Epidemiology of Mycoplasma genitalium infection: Correlation to Co-Infection and prior STI history

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S766-S767
Author(s):  
Josh Kostera ◽  
Jose Santiago
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Background Despite reports in the past few years that Americans are having less sex, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported in 2019 that sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases are at an all-time high in the United States. The CDC report included statistics on confirmed cases of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but did not include data for Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium. Although Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium are generally recognized agents responsible for STI’s, there is limited prevalence data in the United States. Methods Herein we present STI prevalence and socio-demographic epidemiological data associated with patients enrolled in a multicenter STI study using the automated multiplex qualitative CE marked assay, Alinity m STI. The enrolled study population reflected a diverse number of participants with an approximately equal male to female ratio, prior STI history, single and married, education levels from primary to post-graduate, as well as different ethnicities. Results Participants in this study population who have previously been diagnosed with an STI had an overall Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence rate that was approximately double those who have not been previously diagnosed with an STI. Furthermore, the co-infection rate for Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis was as high as 2.5% for vaginal swab specimens with an overall Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence of 11.6%. The overall prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in women was 12.3%. Neisseria gonorrhoeae had the lowest overall prevalence in men and women at 2.4%, and Chlamydia trachomatis at had an overall prevalence of 9.8%. Conclusion Mycoplasma genitalium infections are generally asymptomatic in both men and women that contributes to up to 35% of non-chlamydial non-gonococcal urethritis in men and linked to cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Left untreated or not accurately diagnosed, STIs can cause significant, serious long-term health consequences including sexual, reproductive, and psychological well-being that present an extensive challenge and burden to public health in the United States. Disclosures Jose Santiago, PhD, Abbott (Employee)

scholarly journals Cost-benefit analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis screening in pregnant women in a high burden setting in the United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared Ditkowsky ◽  
Khushal H. Shah ◽  
Margaret R. Hammerschlag ◽  
Stephan Kohlhoff ◽  
Tamar A. Smith-Norowitz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
The United States ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
High Burden

Effectiveness of Programs for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amaia Del Campo ◽  
Marisalva Fávero
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Abuse Prevention ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Methodological Considerations

Abstract. During the last decades, several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of sexual abuse prevention programs implemented in different countries. In this article, we present a review of 70 studies (1981–2017) evaluating prevention programs, conducted mostly in the United States and Canada, although with a considerable presence also in other countries, such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The results of these studies, in general, are very promising and encourage us to continue this type of intervention, almost unanimously confirming its effectiveness. Prevention programs encourage children and adolescents to report the abuse experienced and they may help to reduce the trauma of sexual abuse if there are victims among the participants. We also found that some evaluations have not considered the possible negative effects of this type of programs in the event that they are applied inappropriately. Finally, we present some methodological considerations as critical analysis to this type of evaluations.

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