National health information systems for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Objectives: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require data-driven public health action. There are limited publications on national health information systems that continuously generate health data. Given the need to develop these systems, we summarised their current status in low-income and middle-income countries.

Ebola and Its Control in Liberia, 2014-2015.

The severe epidemic of Ebola virus disease in Liberia started in March 2014. On May 9, 2015, the World Health Organization declared Liberia free of Ebola, 42 days after safe burial of the last known case-patient. However, another 6 cases occurred during June-July; on September 3, 2015, the country was again declared free of Ebola.

Home-based HIV testing and counseling in rural and urban Kenyan communities.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, most people with HIV do not know they are infected.

Methods: We conducted door-to-door home-based testing and counseling (HBTC) in rural western Kenya (Lwak) and an informal urban settlement in Nairobi (Kibera) in 2008. After consent, eligible persons (adults and adolescents aged 13 years or older and children aged 12 years or younger, whose biologic mother was HIV-infected or deceased) received parallel fingerstick HIV rapid testing and counseling.

Asymptomatic serum cryptococcal antigenemia and early mortality during antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda.

Objective: To evaluate the association between a positive serum cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) test at baseline and mortality during the first 12 weeks on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of HIV-related mortality in Africa, but current guidelines do not advocate CRAG testing as a screening tool.

Methods: Between May 2003 and December 2004, we enrolled HIV-1 infected individuals into a study of ART monitoring in rural Uganda.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a home-based AIDS care programme in rural Uganda.

Background: Poverty and limited health services in rural Africa present barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy that necessitate innovative options other than facility-based methods for delivery and monitoring of such therapy. We assessed adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a cohort of HIV-infected people in a home-based AIDS care programme that provides the therapy and other AIDS care, prevention, and support services in rural Uganda.

Methods: HIV-infected individuals with advanced HIV disease or a CD4-cell count of less than 250 cells per muL were eligible for antiretroviral therapy.

Effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons on the selection of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-resistant malaria parasites among HIV-uninfected household members.

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess the effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons on the selection of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP)-resistant malaria parasites among HIV-uninfected household members. A total of 2,567 HIV-uninfected persons from 605 households were followed and blood specimens were collected each time an episode of Plasmodium falciparum malaria was diagnosed. Study participants were living in households where HIV-infected persons were either taking (exposed) or not taking (unexposed) cotrimoxazole prophylaxis.

Effect of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, antiretroviral therapy, and insecticide-treated bednets on the frequency of malaria in HIV-1-infected adults in Uganda: a prospective cohort study.

Background: HIV-1 and malaria are common infections in Africa, and cause substantial morbidity and mortality. HIV infection has been associated with an increased incidence of malaria, and more severe disease. Our aim was to assess the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on the frequency of clinical malaria in people with HIV, and to measure the additive effects of co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) prophylaxis, ART, and insecticide-treated bednets.

Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis by HIV-infected persons in Uganda reduces morbidity and mortality among HIV-uninfected family members.

Background: The effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by persons with HIV on community health and antimicrobial resistance is unknown.

Objective: To assess the effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by persons with HIV on morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial resistance of diarrheal pathogens infecting their HIV-negative family members.

Design: Prospective cohort in rural Uganda.

Effect of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis on morbidity, mortality, CD4-cell count, and viral load in HIV infection in rural Uganda.

Background: Prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole) is recommended for people with HIV infection or AIDS but is rarely used in Africa. We assessed the effect of such prophylaxis on morbidity, mortality, CD4-cell count, and viral load among people with HIV infection living in rural Uganda, an area with high rates of bacterial resistance to co-trimoxazole.

Methods: Between April, 2001, and March, 2003, we enrolled, and followed up with weekly home visits, 509 individuals with HIV-1 infection and their 1522 HIV-negative household members.

National survey of sexual behavior and sexual behavior policies in facilities for individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities.

To obtain information regarding sexual behavior and related policies in state residential facilities for individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities, we sent surveys to 168 members listed in the Association of Public Developmental Disabilities Administrators 1998-1999 directory. Response rate was 68.5%.

Patient-delivered partner treatment with azithromycin to prevent repeated Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Repeated infection with C trachomatis increases the risk for serious sequelae: pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. A substantial proportion of women treated for C trachomatis infection are reinfected by an untreated male sex partner in the first several months after treatment. Effective strategies to ensure partner treatment are needed.

Comparison of Three Selective Enrichment Methods for the Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from Naturally Contaminated Foods.

Three selective enrichment procedures-the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) method, the U.