EATG training academy STEP-UP: skills training to empower patients.

Introduction: Most existing conventional capacity building and educational programs are currently executed on ad-hoc basis. Such approach no longer responds to the needs and capabilities of patients, supporters and healthcare providers in their engagement with and contribution to response to HIV/AIDS. In contrast, long-term, course-like trainings have considerably broader thematic scope and are conducive to more effective and sustainable learning, exchange of experience and best practices.

A life-style physical activity intervention and the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination in women.

Objective: To assess whether a life-style physical activity intervention improved antibody response to a pneumococcal vaccination in sedentary middle-aged women.

Methods: Eighty-nine sedentary women completed a 16-week exercise (physical activity consultation, pedometer, telephone/e-mail prompts; n = 44) or control (advisory leaflet; n = 45) intervention. Pneumococcal vaccination was administered at 12 weeks, and antibody titers (11 of the 23 contained in the pneumococcal vaccine) were determined before vaccination and 4 weeks and 6 months later.