scholarly journals Sexual transmission of Zika virus in an entirely asymptomatic couple returning from a Zika epidemic area, France, April 2016

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Fréour ◽  
Sophie Mirallié ◽  
Bruno Hubert ◽  
Carole Splingart ◽  
Paul Barrière ◽  
...  

The current Zika virus outbreak and its potential severe health consequences, especially congenital fetal syndrome, have led to increased concern about sexual transmission, especially in pregnant women and women of reproductive age. Here we report a case of Zika virus sexual transmission, likely male-to-female, in a totally asymptomatic couple.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno F. Sunguya ◽  
Yue Ge ◽  
Linda Mlunde ◽  
Rose Mpembeni ◽  
Germana Leyna ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anemia in pregnancy is behind a significant burden of maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes globally. Efforts to address it need evidence on trends and its pertinent factors as they vary from one area to another. Methods We pooled data of 23,203 women of reproductive age whose hemoglobin levels were measured from two Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS). Of them, 2,194 women were pregnant. Analyses employed descriptive analyses to determine the burden of anemia, its characteristics, and severity; GIS mapping to determine the regional changes of anemia between 2005 and 2015; and logistic regression to determine the remaining determinants of anemia among pregnant women using Stata 15. Results The burden of anemia among pregnant women in Tanzania has remained unprecedently high, and varies between regions. There was no significant decline of anemia in general between the two periods after adjusting for individual, households, reproductive, and child characteristics [AOR = 0.964, 95% CI = 0.774–1.202, p = 0.747). Anemia is currently prevalent in 57% of pregnant women in Tanzania. The prevalence is more likely to be higher among women aged 15–19 years than those aged between 20–34 years. It is more likely to be prevalent among those within large families, with no formal education, food insecurity, lack of health insurance, had no antimalaria during pregnancy, and had low frequency of ANC attendance. On the other hand, delivery in a health facility may be potentially protective against anemia. Conclusions Anemia in pregnancy remained persistently high and prevalent among 57% of pregnant women in Tanzania. Efforts to address anemia are crucial and need to be focused in regions with increasing burden of anemia among pregnant women. It is imperative to address important risk factors such as food insecurity, strengthening universal health coverage, empowering women of reproductive age with education and especially nutritional knowledge and advocating for early antenatal booking, attendance, and facility delivery.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
April D. Summers ◽  
Kayla N. Anderson ◽  
Elizabeth C. Ailes ◽  
Scott D. Grosse ◽  
William V. Bobo ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2244
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Balint ◽  
Amelia Montemarano ◽  
Emily Feng ◽  
Ali A. Ashkar

Following the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Latin America, ZIKV has emerged as a global health threat due to its ability to induce neurological disease in both adults and the developing fetus. ZIKV is largely mosquito-borne and is now endemic in many parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. However, several reports have demonstrated persistent ZIKV infection of the male reproductive tract and evidence of male-to-female sexual transmission of ZIKV. Sexual transmission may broaden the reach of ZIKV infections beyond its current geographical limits, presenting a significant threat worldwide. Several mouse models of ZIKV infection have been developed to investigate ZIKV pathogenesis and develop effective vaccines and therapeutics. However, the majority of these models focus on mosquito-borne infection, while few have considered the impact of sexual transmission on immunity and pathogenesis. This review will examine the advantages and disadvantages of current models of mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted ZIKV and provide recommendations for the effective use of ZIKV mouse models.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mane Hélène Faye ◽  
Nicole Idohou-Dossou ◽  
Abdou Badiane ◽  
Anta Agne-Djigo ◽  
Papa Mamadou DD Sylla ◽  
...  

Background: Like many developing countries, Senegal does not have data on the extent of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) that is representative of its population. The present survey was conducted to fill this gap and to identify factors associated with VAD, prior to the introduction of a large-scale vitamin A oil fortification program. Procedures: A nationwide representative cross-sectional survey involving 1887 children 12 to 59 months old and 1316 women of reproductive age (WRA) was conducted. Blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of retinol (PR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha-1-acidglycoprotein were measured. PR was adjusted for subclinical inflammation using the BRINDA regression methodology. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with VAD. Findings: The adjusted prevalence of VAD (PR ≤ 0.7 μmol/L) in children was 15.3% and differed by age group, area of residence, and socioeconomic status and half of them had subclinical inflammation. Among WRA, VAD was low (2.3%) and 18.1% had vitamin A insufficiency (VAI). Pregnant women were more affected by VAI (28.4%) and Dakar had lower figures compared with other cities and rural strata. Prevalence of VAI decreased with increasing wealth quintile. In logistic regression, abnormal CRP, poverty, scarce consumption of poultry, oysters, melon, red palm oil, palm kernel oil, Saba senegalensis fruit pulp (Maad) and cowpea, frequent consumption of leeks and consumption of Leptadenia hastata leaves (Mbuum tiakhat), were associated with VAD in children. For women, lower socioeconomic status, fair or poor health status and anemia were negatively associated with VAI. Conclusions: In Senegal, VAD is a moderate public health problem in children and slight among women. Particular attention should be paid to children older than 23 months, pregnant women, rural populations, and poorest households. Nutritional interventions should be implemented alongside morbidity prevention and control. Keywords: vitamin A deficiency, children 12-59 months, women of reproductive age, Senegal.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Sedlander ◽  
Chandni Ladwa ◽  
Sameera Talegawkar ◽  
Rohini Ganjoo ◽  
Rajiv Rimal

Abstract Objectives Half of women of reproductive age in India have iron deficiency anemia compared to only 23% of men. Most research focuses on biological reasons for this discrepancy and access to iron-folic acid and iron-rich foods. However, recent research in India shows that inequitable gender norms may affect a woman's ability or desire to take iron supplements and to eat iron-rich food. The objective of this study is to examine how and why gender norms may be affecting high and persistent rates of anemia in India. Methods We conducted 25 key informant interviews and 16 focus group discussions with women of reproductive age, adolescents, husbands and mothers-in-law (n = 148) in Odisha, India. We purposively sampled key informants and randomly sampled focus group participants. We analyzed the data using applied thematic analysis in Nvivo software. Results Our data shows that unequal gender norms impact behaviors that are directly related to high rates of anemia. Women are often serving their husband, children, and in-laws first and “adjusting” to whatever is leftover which may be poor in nutritional qualities and less iron rich. Men are also the main breadwinners but often spend their money on alcohol, money that could be spent on iron-rich food for the household. Women reported that extreme fatigue is a normal part of being a woman and that a woman's plight is to take care of her family at any cost. Given that fatigue, the primary symptom of anemia is normalized; women may be less likely to seek treatment. Women tend to prioritize the health of their family over her own which could affect her ability or desire to go to the health center to get tested for anemia or to obtain iron supplements. Pregnant women are more likely to take iron supplements for the health of the baby, not her own health. While non-pregnant women of reproductive age who were not diagnosed with anemia were not focused on preventive health, only major illnesses and thus, were not taking supplements at all. Conclusions More upstream barriers, like gender norms, may be impinging on a woman's ability to take iron folic acid and to eat iron rich foods. Understanding how gender norms contribute to anemia could change the narrative from a biomedical issue to a social justice issue. Funding Sources The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


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