Effects of Inflammation on Biomarkers of Vitamin A Status among a Cohort of Bolivian Infants.

Globally, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects nearly 200 million children with negative health consequences. VAD can be measured by a retinol-binding protein (RBP) and serum retinol concentrations. Their concentrations are not always present in a 1:1 molar ratio and are affected by inflammation.

Effect of infant feeding practices on iron status in a cohort study of Bolivian infants.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide, with potentially severe consequences on child neurodevelopment. Though exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for 6 months, breast milk has low iron content. This study aimed to estimate the effect of the length of EBF on iron status at 6 - 8 months of age among a cohort of Bolivian infants.

Using a monitoring and evaluation framework to improve study efficiency and quality during a prospective cohort study in infants receiving rotavirus vaccination in El Alto, Bolivia: the Infant Nutrition, Inflammation, and Diarrheal Illness (NIDI) study.

Background: Implementing rigorous epidemiologic studies in low-resource settings involves challenges in participant recruitment and follow-up (e.g., mobile populations, distrust), biological sample collection (e.

[Health-worker barriers to syphilis screening in pregnant women in Bolivia's Los Andes network].

Objective: Identify health-worker barriers that keep pregnant women who receive prenatal care from being screened for syphilis (Los Andes Health Network, Bolivia).

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were done with 46 health care providers and 249 clinical health records of pregnant women were analyzed in eight public health facilities in the Los Andes network.

Results: Health-worker barriers to syphilis screening in pregnant women included lack of time by personnel to raise awareness of the benefit of syphilis screening; some mentioned that syphilis tests should only be done in facilities that attend deliveries and have a laboratory; lack of communication between clinicians and laboratory personnel; and problems with provision of supplies and reagents.

Early deterioration of iron status among a cohort of Bolivian infants.

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are major contributors to infant and maternal morbidity worldwide. There is limited longitudinal data on iron status in young infants and on methods to adjust iron biomarkers for inflammation. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of inflammation-adjusted ID, anemia, and IDA over the first year in a cohort of Bolivian infants and their mothers.

Predictors of Inflammation in a Cohort of Bolivian Infants and Toddlers.

Inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes in children and adults, yet few longitudinal data are available on prevalence and predictors of inflammation in infants. We aimed to identify the prevalence of inflammation in a cohort of Bolivian infants and estimate its association with acute (recent illnesses) and chronic (overweight, stunting) morbidities and potential pathogen exposure (represented by water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH] resources). We measured plasma concentrations of two acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein [CRP], marking acute inflammation, and alpha(1)-acid-glycoprotein [AGP], marking chronic inflammation) at three time points (target 2, 6-8, and 12-18 months).

Contraception and condom use among Bolivian female sex workers: relationship-specific associations between disease prevention and family planning behaviors.

We examined data from a clinic-based survey of 1,222 Bolivian female sex workers (FSWs) to assess whether use of nonbarrier modern contraception is associated with less consistent condom use with clients and noncommercial partners. Women who were using nonbarrier modern contraception were less likely than nonusers to consistently use condoms with noncommercial partners (AOR 0.393, 95% CI 0.

The co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and syphilis among pregnant women in Bolivia.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are epidemics that disproportionately affect women. This study determined IPV prevalence and the association between IPV and positive syphilis tests among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in three provinces in Bolivia.

Methods: We administered structured questionnaires to women after syphilis testing.

[Maternal and congenital syphilis in four provinces in Bolivia].

Objective: Assess frequencies of maternal and congenital syphilis, mother-child transmission and variables associated with syphilis in six urban hospitals in Bolivia.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between May and September 2004. We administered the Abbot Determine-TP rapid test and quantitative RPR to postpartum women without prior RPR.

Maternal syphilis and intimate partner violence in Bolivia: a gender-based analysis of implications for partner notification and universal screening.

Objectives: Use a gender perspective to analyze a partner notification study conducted in antenatal clinics in Bolivia to assess the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and partner notification.

Goal: Guide the implementation of a safe, feasible, and culturally appropriate partner notification strategy in Bolivia in order to reduce the potential of IPV.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with women (n = 209) and their notified partners (n = 137) and structured interviews with a subsample of participants.

Analysis of the operational costs of using rapid syphilis tests for the detection of maternal syphilis in Bolivia and Mozambique.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the costs of antenatal syphilis screening with the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test and the immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test in low-resource settings.

Goal: The goal of this study was to assess the costs of introducing rapid syphilis tests to reduce maternal and congenital syphilis.

Study Design: Cost data were collected from participating study hospitals and antenatal clinics during 4 field visits to the 2 countries in 2003 and 2004.

Demonstrating public health at work: a demonstration project of congenital syphilis prevention efforts in Bolivia.

Objectives: We introduced syphilis immunochromatic strip (ICS) tests into antenatal care (ANC) settings in Bolivia and evaluated feasibility, patient and provider acceptability, and introduction costs. We conducted complementary studies on related topics, strengthened quality of care, and aided the response to sensitive aspects of maternal/congenital syphilis control (e.g.