Clinical and biochemical responses to treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition: a multicenter observational cohort from the OptiDiag study.

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) can be diagnosed using weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) and/or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Although some favor using MUAC alone, valuing its presumed ability to identify children at greatest need for nutritional care, the functional severity and physiological responses to treatment in children with varying deficits in WHZ and MUAC remain inadequately characterized.

Objective: We aimed to compare clinical and biochemical responses to treatment in children with 1) both low MUAC and low WHZ, 2) low MUAC-only, and 3) low WHZ-only.

Clinical and Biochemical Markers of Risk in Uncomplicated Severe Acute Malnutrition.

Background And Objectives: Use of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a single screening tool for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) assumes that children with a low weight-for-height score (WHZ) and normal MUAC have lower risks of morbidity and mortality. However, the pathophysiology and functional severity associated with different anthropometric phenotypes of SAM have never been well characterized. We compared clinical characteristics, biochemical features, and health and nutrition histories of nonedematous children with SAM who had (1) low WHZ only, (2) both low WHZ and low MUAC, or (3) low MUAC only.

Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia.

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa account for greater HIV/STI (human immuno defiency virus/sexually transmitted infection) burdens and difficult-to-reach populations. This study implemented a community-based HIV/STI program to reach at-risk youth aged 15 to 17 years in postconflict Liberia. Using a randomized controlled trial, community youths were assigned to an adapted version of an effective HIV/STI program, Making Proud Choices, or attention-matched comparison curriculum, General Health Program.

Reducing sexual risk taking behaviors among adolescents who engage in transactional sex in post-conflict Liberia.

Transactional sex (TS) has been correlated with HIV/STD infection, pregnancy, early marriage, and sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Few Western-based HIV prevention programs adapted for SSA have examined intervention impacts for this group. This article examines whether an HIV prevention intervention, delivered to sixth-grade students in Liberia (age range 14-17) and found to increase condom use and other mediators for the larger sample, significantly impacted sexual behaviors and mediators for those who engaged in TS.

HIV/STD risk behaviors among in-school adolescents in post-conflict Liberia.

We conducted a randomized trial to address the health needs of in-school adolescents in Liberia, where we analyzed data from a behavioral survey administered to 820 students from eight urban schools. Our findings suggest that adolescents are at significant risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): 36% of respondents were sexually experienced, 34% of those had first sex at ages 14 or younger, 66% of first sexual encounters were unprotected, and 16% were described as "forced." Also, females were more likely to have older boyfriends (Pearson's chi square = 19.