Use of nutritional and water hygiene packages for diarrhoeal prevention among HIV-exposed infants in Lilongwe, Malawi: an evaluation of a pilot prevention of mother-to-child transmission post-natal care service.

Summary Objective: To evaluate a pilot prevention of mother-to-child transmission post-natal programme in Lilongwe, Malawi, through observed retention and infant diarrhoeal rates.

Methods: Free fortified porridge and water hygiene packages were offered to mothers to encourage frequent post-natal visits and to reduce diarrhoeal rates in infants on replacement feeding. Participant retention and infant health outcome were assessed.

Self-selection and use patterns of over-the-counter omeprazole for frequent heartburn.

Background And Aims: The Food and Drug Administration approval and subsequent launch of over-the-counter (OTC) omeprazole raises the question whether consumers would use OTC omeprazole appropriately in a "real world" setting.

Methods: A 3-month observational study was conducted in an OTC setting to determine whether consumers could (1) correctly self-select to use omeprazole for frequent heartburn, (2) comply with a product label that calls for 14 consecutive days of once-daily dosing, and (3) use more than 14 doses of medication only under the advice of a physician. Consumers were interviewed at 5 shopping malls in geographically distinct areas of the United States and asked whether they had heartburn.