Comparison of COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in 10 Countries in Southern Africa, 2020-2021.

We used publicly available data to describe epidemiology, genomic surveillance, and public health and social measures from the first 3 COVID-19 pandemic waves in southern Africa during April 6, 2020-September 19, 2021. South Africa detected regional waves on average 7.2 weeks before other countries.

Rapid Adaptation of HIV Treatment Programs in Response to COVID-19 - Namibia, 2020.

Namibia is an upper-middle income country in southern Africa, with a population of approximately 2.5 million (1). On March 13, 2020, the first two cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Namibia were identified among recently arrived international travelers.

Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among schoolchildren: efforts in middle-income countries.

Background: To reverse the trend of rising child obesity rates in many middle-income countries, recommendations include increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Schools can positively impact children's eating behavior, and multicomponent interventions that include the curriculum, school food environments, and parental involvement are most effective.

Objective: To find out how fruits and vegetables feature in the dietary guidelines provided to schools, what specific schemes are available for providing these foods, the extent to which nutrition education is included in the curriculum, and how vegetables and fruits are procured in primary schools.

Acceptability of Carraguard vaginal microbicide gel among HIV-infected women in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Background: Few studies of microbicide acceptability among HIV-infected women have been done. We assessed Carraguard® vaginal gel acceptability among participants in a randomized, controlled, crossover safety trial in HIV-infected women in Thailand.

Methodology/principal Findings: Participants used each of 3 treatments (Carraguard gel, methylcellulose placebo gel, and no product) for 7 days, were randomized to one of six treatment sequences, and were blinded to the type of gel they received in the two gel-use periods.

HIV genital shedding and safety of Carraguard use by HIV-infected women: a crossover trial in Thailand.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, including impact on genital HIV RNA shedding, of Carraguard vaginal gel in HIV-infected women.

Design: This is a randomized, controlled, crossover study of Carraguard in HIV-infected women in Thailand.

Methods: Each woman (CD4 cell count 51-500 cells/microl and not on antiretroviral therapy) used each treatment (Carraguard, methylcellulose placebo, and no-product) once daily for 7 days during each 1-month period (3-week wash-out).

Gonococcal, chlamydia, and syphilis infection positivity among MSM attending a large primary care clinic, Boston, 2003 to 2004.

Background: In the past decade, increases in syphilis and rectal gonorrhea have been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States; however, limited sexually transmitted disease (STD) positivity data are available on MSM who receive their healthcare from primary care or general medical clinics. The current study sought to elucidate STD positivity in asymptomatic MSM seen at the largest primary care clinic for MSM in New England and to describe STD test positivity by reason for STD testing.

Methods: As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's MSM Prevalence Monitoring Project, all medical visits between 2003 and 2004 (n = 21,927) among MSM attending Fenway Community Health (Boston) were reviewed.

Treatment of lymphogranuloma venereum.

Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) classically presents with 1 or more genital ulcers or papules, as well as inguinal lymphadenopathy (buboes). Recently reported cases of LGV proctitis in men who have sex with men, many of whom are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have highlighted the importance of optimal clinical treatment of LGV.

Methods: A review was conducted of the literature on LGV published between 1998 and 2004, as part of the development of the 2006 sexually transmitted disease treatment guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Discussing HIV serostatus with prospective sex partners: a potential HIV prevention strategy among high-risk men who have sex with men.

Objective: To study factors associated with HIV serostatus discussions among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey among MSM visiting an urban sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic.

Methods: MSM were asked about sex partner recruitment, serostatus of partners, condom use, drugs use, and HIV serostatus discussions with sex partners.

The emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased susceptibility to Azithromycin in Kansas City, Missouri, 1999 to 2000.

Background And Objectives: We describe the first cluster of persons with Neisseria gonorrhoeae with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin (AziDS; minimum inhibitory concentration >/=1.0 microg/mL) in the United States. GOAL The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for AziDS N.

The syphilis reactor grid: help or hindrance for syphilis surveillance?

Background: Health departments use reactor grids (sex, age, and serologic test for syphilis [STS] titer criteria) to determine which persons to evaluate for untreated syphilis.

Goal: The goal of the study was to assess reactor grid performance in Chicago and reactor grid use nationally in 1999 to 2000.

Study Design: We reviewed Chicago health department records to identify characteristics of persons with a reactive STS excluded from evaluation by reactor grid criteria and syphilis cases not meeting evaluation criteria.