| prevention-news@cdcnpin.org 2005-05-27, 8:54 am |
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides
the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses
of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other
sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC
endorsement. The following summaries were prepared without conducting
any additional research or investigation into the facts and statements
made in the articles being summarized, and therefore readers are
expressly cautioned against relying on the validity or invalidity of any
statements made in these summaries. This daily update also includes
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on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets
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the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
National News
"GLOBAL: AIDS Scientists, Activists Fail to Fully
Resolve Rift over Trials"
International News
"AFRICA; MIDDLE EAST: Arab Nations' Health Officials
Meet to Combat Taboo of Sexually Transmitted Diseases"
Medical News
"CHINA: Cost Is Barrier to Receive HIV Testing as Part
of Premarital Counseling in China"
Local and Community News
"NEW YORK: New York Proposes Measures to Slow the Spread
of AIDS"
"MARYLAND: Maryland Board Restarts Overhaul of Sex Ed;
Citizens Panel to Help Mold Programs"
"WASHINGTON: Syphilis Hits More Gays and Bisexuals"
"FLORIDA: Teens' Risky Behavior On Rise"
"FLORIDA: E-Mailed HIV List Gets Man Demoted"
News Briefs
"MEXICO: Condom Machines Planned in Schools"
"TEXAS: Houston School Tests 300 for Tuberculosis"
"FLORIDA: Five Orange County Students Exposed to TB"
"UTAH: Two Utahns Are Honored for Leadership in HIV"
_____
National News
GLOBAL: "AIDS Scientists, Activists Fail to Fully Resolve Rift
over Trials"
Wall Street Journal (05.24.05):: Marilyn Chase
At a Seattle meeting convened by the International AIDS Society,
researchers and activists failed to resolve issues surrounding studies
of Gilead Sciences Inc.'s tenofovir (Viread), an approved AIDS treatment
now being investigated as an HIV preventative. Objections to the studies
have shut down or suspended trial sites in two countries.
Common ground was reached on some concerns that have arisen over
testing, which is increasingly being conducted in developing countries
where HIV/AIDS is most prevalent. Conferees agreed that study volunteers
need more counseling and protective equipment - such as giving female
condoms to women whose partners refuse to wear study-provided male
condoms - to prevent HIV infection. A summarized report of the meeting
conceded that researchers' effort to counsel volunteers "was at times
ill-informed and inconsistent."
But the meeting did not resolve activists' demands for lifelong
AIDS treatment for volunteers who become infected during the studies.
While "mechanisms. to ensure treatment" were called for, the crucial
question of who pays for such treatment went unanswered. In addition,
activists demanded that Thai IV drug users be offered clean needles in
exchange for participating in studies. Needle exchange, however, is
prohibited in US-funded research.
Major sponsors of the tenofovir studies are the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, CDC and the National Institutes of Health.
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International News
AFRICA; MIDDLE EAST: "Arab Nations' Health Officials Meet to
Combat Taboo of Sexually Transmitted Diseases"
Agence France Presse (05.24.05)
Today in Tunis, officials from a dozen Arab nations gathered for
a conference on STDs. Organizers said STDs infect 20 Arabs every minute.
Organized by the International Federation of Family Planning (IFFP) and
the UN, the four-day meeting is designed to support groups that are
working to raise STD awareness and offer treatment. Statistics released
at the conference show women are most affected by STDs, highlighting the
need to reform reproductive health programs throughout the Arab world.
The meeting will also address the spread of HIV due to "poverty,
drugs, and war," said Tunisia's Dr. Moncef Ben Ibrahim, who runs IFFP's
Arab regional office. Currently, Sudan has some 400,000 AIDS cases;
Morocco has 15,000. By opening "health centers for young people where
teenagers can come and talk about their concerns," Morocco is taking
steps to fight the disease, said Dr. Gozlene Ritimi of the Moroccan
association for family planning.
Still, many Arabs continue to have unprotected sex and refuse to
admit they are HIV-positive, noted session organizer Dr. Majdi Khaled.
The conference aims to find ways to curb the spread of STDs
while acknowledging Arab moral and religious values, which have been a
hurdle to establishing preventative programs in Arab countries, said
organizers.
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Medical News
CHINA: "Cost Is Barrier to Receive HIV Testing as Part of
Premarital Counseling in China"
AIDS Weekly & Law (05.05.05)
Z.Y. Wu and colleagues at the university of California-Los
Angeles conducted a survey that found cost is a barrier to receiving HIV
testing as part of premarital counseling in China.
"Premarital counseling is required for couples wishing to be
married in China," the researchers reported. "The counseling primarily
provides information about contraception. We evaluated adding premarital
HIV/AIDS counseling and voluntary HIV testing to the standard
counseling."
The scientists offered the test free to one group and at
standard cost to the other. "The proportion of those accepting testing
among all participants receiving premarital counseling was used as a
measure of acceptability," the investigators reported.
"Sixteen percent of participants not charged chose to accept
testing versus 1.4 percent of those charged (p<0.001)," the researchers
wrote. "Lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge and charging for the test were
correlated with refusal."
According to Wu, "Over 5 percent of participants admitted to
premarital sex, most with their fiancé, and a significantly higher
portion was female. Only 22 percent used condoms. Study participants
were randomized for 1-year follow-up. Only four participants reported
extramarital sexual activity during that year."
"Acceptance of HIV testing was disappointingly low. Implementing
strategies to reduce stigmatization and increase knowledge of HIV/AIDS,
in addition to not charging for testing, may increase the acceptance of
HIV testing," the authors concluded.
The study, "Acceptability of HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing
Among Premarital Couples in China," was published in AIDS education and
Prevention (2005;17(1):12-21).
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Local and Community News
NEW YORK: "New York Proposes Measures to Slow the Spread of
AIDS"
New York Times (05.24.05):: Andrew Jacobs
If funded and implemented, proposals made in a draft report
released Monday by the New York City Commission on HIV/AIDS would make
the city "a national and global model of how to stop the epidemic,"
according to Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden.
The commission - a 21-member body comprising doctors,
researchers, and AIDS advocates appointed by the city Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene - also endorsed new state regulations that go
into effect on a temporary basis next week. The regulations streamline
HIV testing consent forms and allow health officials to collect detailed
information about a patient's viral load and resistance to AIDS drugs.
More than 4,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with HIV each year,
and a quarter of them learn they are infected only when they are
diagnosed with fully developed AIDS, said panel members. The
commission's recommendations include:
*Improving testing access, particularly among minorities, the
homeless and intravenous drug users (IDUs), by endorsing the
above-mentioned state regulations.
*Increasing condom distribution in prisons, schools, and
nightclubs.
*Expanding needle-exchange programs for IDUs.
*Making HIV screening a routine part of every emergency-room
visit.
*Creating public awareness campaigns to address crystal
methamphetamine abuse among gay men, HIV stigma among African Americans,
and how people with HIV can help stop its spread.
*Increasing treatment and housing access for people with
HIV/AIDS.
Tracy L. Welsh, executive director of the HIV Law Project,
worried that the state's new patient information guidelines would strip
away long-held privacy protections for those with HIV. But many panel
members said they felt the regulations' benefits were greater than the
costs.
The draft proposal will be adopted June 13 after a public
comment period. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh or,
locally, telephone New York City's call center at 311.
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MARYLAND: "Maryland Board Restarts Overhaul of Sex Ed;
Citizens Panel to Help Mold Programs"
Washington Post (05.24.05):: Lori Aratani
The Montgomery County school board voted 7-1 to approve a
resolution effectively abandoning its revised sex-education curriculum
for eighth- and 10th-graders. The program was suspended two weeks ago
following a US District Court-issued temporary restraining order sought
by two community groups.
In his restraining order, Judge Alexander Williams Jr. cited
teacher resource materials for apparently singling out specific
religious faiths for being intolerant of homosexuality. Montgomery
School District Superintendent Jerry D. Weast suspended the revised
curriculum hours later.
A new sex-education curriculum will be rewritten by professional
educators within the school system and consultants appointed by the
superintendent, according to the board's resolution. The board said it
would reconstitute a citizens advisory panel, which will be consulted
and review changes to the sex-education curriculum, which the board will
reconsider next school year.
The board said it would use neither the curriculum's
seven-minute video that showed 10th-graders how to put on a condom, nor
the teacher resource materials subjected to litigation.
It is still not clear how the board's vote yesterday will affect
the lawsuit.
"I would have hoped they would not have moved unilaterally.
We're still in settlement discussions," said Erik Stanley, who
represents the two groups, Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and the
Virginia-based Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.
"The board remains strongly committed to a comprehensive health
curriculum for our students, and we will continue to work diligently to
ensure that our students receive the very best instruction in this
important component of our educational process," said Patricia O'Neill,
the board's president. Weast said he felt "many school districts are
watching us closely and looking to us for leadership," and he looked
forward to a "fresh look" at the curriculum.
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WASHINGTON: "Syphilis Hits More Gays and Bisexuals"
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (05.19.05):: Tom Paulson
On May 18, public health officials reported that the number of
new cases of syphilis in Seattle and King County nearly doubled between
2003 and 2004, from 76 to 140 cases. The disease continues to expand its
reach within the area's gay and bisexual community.
Dr. Matthew Golden, director of the STD program for Public
Health-Seattle & King County, said the rate has been increasing since
1997 despite department efforts. Golden said use of drugs, especially
methamphetamine, appears to be associated with rising syphilis cases.
A recent survey found the majority of gay and bisexual men in
Seattle/King County use condoms and practice safe sex. Dr. Robert Wood,
director of HIV/AIDS programs for the department, said a core group -
mainly HIV-positive, substance-using individuals - appears to be taking
risks and exposing others to disease.
"Any slip-up in this population is extremely risky," Wood said.
So far, there is no evidence that rising syphilis rates are contributing
to rising HIV infection, Wood noted, although HIV may have a role in
syphilis' spread.
Wood suggested that many people having unsafe sex are dealing
with a new HIV diagnosis and other difficulties such as substance use or
socioeconomic problems, adding that some people might risk infection
because they no longer view HIV as an automatic death sentence.
Golden noted syphilis might be spreading because many are not
aware that, unlike HIV, it can easily be transmitted through oral sex.
He cited a Chicago study showing 20 percent of all syphilis cases in men
who have sex with men arose from oral sex.
That is "why frequent STD testing is so important," Golden said,
adding that the department has expanded testing, screening and treatment
for syphilis, encourages better partner notification, and continues to
promote safe-sex education.
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FLORIDA: "Teens' Risky Behavior On Rise"
Bradenton Herald (05.21.05):: Donna Wright
A survey of 970 ninth-10th grade students conducted last fall in
Manatee District high schools revealed an association between sexual
risk-taking and alcohol and drug use, according to a preliminary
analysis by a community teen pregnancy prevention group.
District Superintendent Roger Dearing authorized CDC's Youth
Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to be conducted on a voluntary basis among
students taking Life Management classes. Dearing's decision was
supported by CEO Roundtable (CR), a group of representatives in
government, law enforcement, health and social services, the judiciary,
and the school district.
A preliminary analysis of survey data was offered to CR members
Friday by Karen Stewart, chairperson of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Task Force (TPPTF), the group CR appointed to cut Manatee's high teen
pregnancy rates. Stewart said survey data supported task force
assumptions that drinking, drugs and other high-risk activities are
associated with teen pregnancy. Among survey findings:
*Four of every 10 students reported having had sexual
intercourse by tenth grade.
*More than one-third of students surveyed have used marijuana,
and 10 percent have used cocaine.
*Nearly 25 percent had engaged in binge drinking - consuming
five or more drinks in one setting - in the previous 30 days.
*One of 10 students considered suicide in the previous year.
A more comprehensive YRBS analysis by Kelly McCormack of the
University of South Florida will be presented to 700 local leaders at a
June 1 community breakfast, said Stewart. The task force hopes that
discussion at the forum will lead to an action plan for prevention
efforts.
"We know the ideas of what to do to reduce teen pregnancy and
risk behaviors are already out there in our community," said Stewart.
"We know the resources already exist. We need to pull them together."
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FLORIDA: "E-Mailed HIV List Gets Man Demoted"
Palm Beach Post (05.20.05):: George Bennett
On Thursday, the Palm Beach County Health Department reported
that it had taken action against John W. Nolan, its head HIV/AIDS
statistician, for inadvertently sending a Feb. 17 e-mail containing the
names of 6,500 county HIV/AIDS patients to about 800 department
employees. Local health departments in Florida are required to protect
the confidentiality of HIV/AIDS patient information. The list contained
patient names but not addresses, said Dr. Jean Malecki, county
department director.
Nolan quickly realized his mistake and told information
technology specialists about the unintentional release, said Tim
O'Connor, the county's health department spokesperson. "He immediately
did all of the right things," O'Conner added. Investigators determined
that only 16 employees had opened the e-mail by the time the department
shut down and "scrubbed" the e-mail system, O'Conner said.
The department said it will transition Nolan into a
non-supervisory position - where he will not have access to sensitive
data - and cut his $51,688 annual salary. The punitive acts follow a
state Department of Health Inspector General report recommending that
"appropriate disciplinary action" be taken against Nolan and that the
county encrypt sensitive data. The state Department of Health should
also review how widely it disseminates sensitive data to employees, the
report stated.
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News Briefs
MEXICO: "Condom Machines Planned in Schools"
Washington Times (05.24.05)
Condom machines would be installed in secondary schools in poor
areas of Mexico under a plan proffered by the Social Development
Ministry. A study commissioned by the ministry found that 15 percent of
adolescent girls in economically deprived areas were pregnant. Mexico
does not calculate national teen pregnancy figures. The proposal, which
would have to be approved by the education Ministry, is expected to face
strong opposition from parents and church officials in the largely Roman
Catholic nation.
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TEXAS: "Houston School Tests 300 for Tuberculosis"
Associated Press (05.23.05)
In suburban Houston Monday, 300 students at Klein Forest High
School were tested for possible exposure to TB after one student tested
positive for the infection. The Harris County Public Health Department
ordered the tests for selected students who had contact with the
infected pupil, said Liz Johnson, assistant superintendent for community
relations at Klein Independent School District. Results are due back
Wednesday. The school has about 3,600 students.
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FLORIDA: "Five Orange County Students Exposed to TB"
Orlando Sentinel (05.21.05):: Robyn Shelton; Robert Perez
At Freedom High School in Orange County, health officials
conducted TB skin tests on 64 students who had contact with a student
diagnosed with active TB. On Friday, five students tested positive for
exposure; four had tested positive in the past, said Bill Toth, an
epidemiologist with the Orange County Health Department. Several are
from foreign countries, Toth said; all five students will undergo chest
X-rays to determine if they are infected. In addition, the Seminole
County Health Department announced plans to test about 35 students and
teachers for possible exposure to TB at Geneva Elementary School in
Sanford; this follows the news that a person there, who is no longer in
school, was diagnosed with TB.
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UTAH: "Two Utahns Are Honored for Leadership in HIV"
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (05.22.05)
The online HIV/AIDS resource TheBody.com has honored two Utah
residents with its HIV Leadership Awards. Dr. Kristen Ries, clinical
director of the Infectious Diseases and HIV Clinic at University
Hospitals and Clinics, was named an "Outstanding HIV Clinician." C.
Maggie Snyder, a registered nurse and physician assistant, was named an
"Outstanding HIV Physician Assistant." Nominees for the awards came from
all 50 states; an expert panel determined the winners.
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_____
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