Validation of a dosing regimen for fixed-dose, weight-adjusted, subcutaneous unfractionated heparin for the acute treatment of venous thrombo-embolism in a population from a resource-constrained environment.

A study in Canada and New Zealand (Kearon et al.) suggested that fixed-dose unmonitored subcutaneous (SC) unfractionated heparin (UFH) is as effective and safe as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the acute treatment of venous thrombo-embolism. While this trial has limitations, it provides evidence to support the use of SC UFH in a resource-constrained environment.

Attitudes to HIV voluntary counselling and testing among mineworkers in South Africa: will availability of antiretroviral therapy encourage testing?

We conducted a study to identify attitudes that influence uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) amongst gold mine workers in South Africa; 105 healthy men were interviewed. The level of basic knowledge of HIV was high, but reported awareness of the extent of HIV infection in the workforce and perceived personal risk of HIV infection was low. Health issues were considered the most important indication for HIV testing and one-third had been tested.