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Background. Information regarding the prevention and treatment of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) is available to the public from various sources, such as medical personnel, travel clinics, personal contacts, and the Internet. This type of information may help travelers avoid this illness or help those afflicted minimize its duration. Methods. We collected questionnaire data from 104 travelers at departure gates for flights to Mexico from Calgary, Alberta on their knowledge of symptoms and treatment of TD and food risks associated with this illness and sources of information used. Results. Almost half reported they received some information on travel-related diseases and on TD prior to the flight. When education level was controlled for, the mean score for people who had obtained information on TD was significantly higher than that for those who did not have such information. College or university-educated travelers scored better than did other travelers. A high proportion of travelers correctly identified risk levels associated with specific foods consumed during travel, and many recognize that they are at an increased risk of acquiring diarrheal illness while traveling in a developing country. Conclusions. Information on TD appears to improve the level of knowledge on its prevention and treatment among travelers from southern Alberta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bicyclists are vulnerable road users for severe injury all over the world. The nature and extent of such injuries are less well known in Iran. Using data from a comprehensive survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 13 health divisions of Iran, in 2003, we examined circumstances around bicyclist injury and death. Trained health workers completed the survey instruments by interviewing patients who stayed more than 24h in hospitals and/or relatives, hospital personnel and by reviewing patient charts. Data were cross-matched with medico-legal documents to prevent missing deaths. The information that was collected from 64 cities/towns’ emergency departments (EDs), over the study period, showed that 440 injured cyclists were hospitalized and/or died due to traffic collisions. Most injuries occurred in males (94.8%) and in the young (median age: 14 years with 75% ≤18 years). Head injury occurred in 14% of all hospitalized and in 90% of fatally injured bicyclists. Striking a moving vehicle increased the odds of death (OR: 32.3; 95% CI 3.5–291.0) as well as the odds of severe injury (OR: 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.2) compared with other mechanisms of injury. As a conclusion, bicyclists in Iran, particularly males and young children, are vulnerable to severe injury and death when struck by moving vehicles on highways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on trends in the attitudes and behaviors of youth in western Uganda with respect to prevention of HIV/AIDS. Secondary schools were randomly selected, and a cross-sectional survey of students was carried out each year between 1995 and 2001. The research could explain, in part, the decline of HIV prevalencee rates among young people observed in the region.