An outbreak of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli urinary tract infection in an elderly population: a case-control study of risk factors.

Background: Prevention of infection due to multi-drug resistant organisms is particularly challenging because of the spread of resistant bacteria beyond hospitals into the community, including nursing homes. This study aimed to identify risk factors for the acquisition of a multidrug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in a local outbreak.

Methods: Study participants were all aged over 65 years.

Respiratory viruses in airline travellers with influenza symptoms: Results of an airport screening study.

Background: There is very little known about the prevalence and distribution of respiratory viruses, other than influenza, in international air travellers and whether symptom screening would aid in the prediction of which travellers are more likely to be infected with specific respiratory viruses.

Objectives: In this study, we investigate whether, the use of a respiratory symptom screening tool at the border would aid in predicting which travellers are more likely to be infected with specific respiratory viruses.

Study Design: Data were collected from travellers arriving at Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand, during the winter 2008, via a symptom questionnaire, temperature testing, and respiratory sampling.

A novel response to an outbreak of infectious syphilis in Christchurch, New Zealand.

During 2012, Christchurch experienced a dramatic increase in cases of infectious syphilis among men who have sex with men. This was accompanied by some novel trends; notably, the acquisition of infection in a younger age group, with local sexual contacts, commonly via the use of social media. This study is a report on an approach to case identification and public health communication as a component of a multifaceted outbreak response.

Enhanced surveillance of infectious syphilis in New Zealand sexual health clinics.

Following a rise in cases of infectious syphilis in New Zealand, national enhanced surveillance at sexual health clinics was initiated. All public sexual health clinics reported monthly on the number of cases seen, and completed a coded questionnaire on each case. Monthly reports to routine surveillance were compared and discrepancies reconciled.

Risky drinking, risky sex: a national study of New Zealand university students.

Background: Sexual risk taking and heavy alcohol use coexist in many populations of young people. A better understanding of the role of alcohol in sexual behaviors with health risks will inform preventive strategies. This study aimed to estimate the associations of risky sexual behavior with usual drinking pattern, with beliefs that alcohol will positively affect sexual experiences, and with drinking at the time of the sexual event.

Sexual health and the Rugby World Cup 2011: a cross-sectional study of sexual health clinics in New Zealand.

Background: We aimed to describe the characteristics of sexual health clinic (SHC) attendance and sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses during the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand in 2011.

Methods: SHC attendance and STI diagnoses around the time of the RWC were compared with the 5 preceding years. A cross-sectional survey conducted at SHCs in four New Zealand cities collected information from attendees having RWC-related sex.

Sexual health, risks, and experiences of New Zealand university students: findings from a national cross-sectional study.

Aim: To describe the sexual health and behaviour of university students as a sentinel population of young New Zealanders.

Methods: A random sample of 5770 students aged 17-24 from universities across New Zealand were invited to participate in an online survey in 2009. Questions on current sexual behaviours, lifetime unintended pregnancies and terminations, and sexual orientation were included.

Assessing the microbiological performance and potential cost of boiling drinking water in urban Zambia.

Boiling is the most common method of disinfecting water in the home and the benchmark against which other point-of-use water treatment is measured. In a six-week study in peri-urban Zambia, we assessed the microbiological effectiveness and potential cost of boiling among 49 households without a water connection who reported "always" or "almost always" boiling their water before drinking it. Source and household drinking water samples were compared weekly for thermotolerant coliforms (TTC), an indicator of fecal contamination.