Search

The White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) is listed as a state threatened species in Texas. It occupies prairies and savannas of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but also the barrier islands, many of which arc exposed to rapid development and other human disturbances. This is a concern as White-tailed Hawks are known to be highly sensitive to nesting disturbance. We examined the breeding ecology of White-tailed Hawks on 3 Texas barrier islands with low (Matagorda Island) and high (Mustang and North Padre Islands) human disturbance. We found nearest-neighbor distances of nesting pairs were lowest on the island with low human disturbance (1.9 [+ or -] 0.9 km) compared to those on islands with high disturbance (2.6 [+ or -] 0.8 to 5.6 [+ or -] 3.8 km). The highest and lowest daily survival rates for nests occurred on the low human disturbance island in 2006 (0.9954) and 2007 (0.9876). The number of fledglings produced per nesting attempt was significantly lower in 2007 compared to 2006 on the low human disturbance island (P = 0.024), but there was no difference in productivity between years on the high human disturbance islands (P = 0.845). The lower density but larger fledgling numbers in the high human disturbance area may be a result of fewer White-tailed Hawks having adapted to human disturbance, but that lower density allowing for increased territory sizes and wider access to prey resources which, in turn, may have yielded increased productivity. In contrast the low human disturbance areas appear to be saturated and productivity may be limited by density-dependent factors. If White-tailed Hawks are to be conserved on the barrier islands, a better understanding of the species' tolerance and adaptability to human disturbance is needed, and a balance will need to be found between continued anthropogenic development and maintenance of adequate foraging and nesting habitat. Received 6 September 2023. Accepted 24 January 2024. Key words: daily survival rate, nest survival, productivity, territoriality. (Spanish)--El gavilan coliblanco (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) es una especie amenazada en Texas. Ocupa praderas y sabanas de la llanura costera del Golfo, pero tambien las islas barrera, muchas de las cuales estan expuestas a un rapido desarrollo y otras amenazas humanas. Esto es preocupante, ya que se sabe que los gavilanes coliblanos son muy sensibles a las perturbaciones durante la epoca de anidacion. Examinamos la ecologia reproductiva del gavilan coliblanco en 3 islas barrera de Texas con baja (isla Matagorda) y alta (islas Mustang y North Padre) perturbacion humana. Encontramos que las distancias entre vecinos mas cercanos de las parejas reproductoras eran menores en la isla con baja perturbacion humana (1.9 [+ or -] 0.9 km) en comparacion con las de las islas con alta perturbacion (2.6 [+ or -] 0.8 - 5.6 [+ or -] 3.8 km). Las tasas de supervivencia diaria de nidos mas alta y mas baja se dieron en la zona de nidos de baja perturbacion humana en 2006 (0.995) y 2007 (0.987). El numero de volantones producidos por intento de nidificacion fue significativamente inferior en 2007 en comparacion con 2006 en la zona de baja perturbacion humana (P = 0.024), pero no hubo diferencias en la productividad entre anos en la zona de alta perturbacion humana (P = 0.845). La menor densidad, pero el mayor numero de pollos volantones en la zona de alta perturbacion humana, puede deberse a que un menor numero de gavilanes coliblancos se ha adaptado a la perturbacion humana aumentando el tamano de su territorio, lo que refleja un mayor acceso a los recursos de presa que, a su vez, puede haber dado lugar a una mayor productividad. Por el contrario, las zonas de baja perturbacion humana parecen estar saturadas y la productividad puede estar limitada por factores relacionados dependientes de la densidad. Si se quiere conservar el gavilan coliblanco en las islas barrera, es necesario comprender mejor la tolerancia y adaptabilidad de la especie a las perturbaciones humanas y encontrar un equilibrio entre el desarrollo antropogenico continuo y el mantenimiento de un habitat adecuado para la busqueda de alimento y la nidificacion. Palabras clave: productividad, sobrevivencia de nidos, tasa diaria de sobrevivencia, territorialidad., Fragmentation, degradation, conversion, and loss of native vegetation communities are threats to wildlife populations (Wilcove et al. 1998, Wilson 1999) and are primarily driven by human activities (Hadidian et al. [...]

Alfred Osoti,1–3 Hannah Han,4 John Kinuthia,1,5 Carey Farquhar3,4,6 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya; 3Department of Epidemiology, 4Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya; 6Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA Abstract: There is emerging evidence that in resource-limited settings with a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden, male partner involvement in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) is associated with improved uptake of effective interventions and infant HIV-free survival. There is also increasing evidence that male partner involvement positively impacts non-HIV related outcomes, such as skilled attendance at delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, uptake of effective contraceptives, and infant immunizations. Despite these associations, male partner involvement remains low, especially when offered in the standard antenatal clinic setting. In this review we explore strategies for improving rates of antenatal male partner HIV testing and argue that the role of male partners in PMTCT must evolve from one of support for HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women to one of comprehensive engagement in prevention of primary HIV acquisition, avoidance of unintended pregnancies, and improved HIV-related care and treatment for the HIV-infected and uninfected women, their partners, and children. Involving men in all components of PMTCT has potential to contribute substantially to achieving virtual elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission; promoting partner-friendly programs and policies, as well as pursuing research into numerous gaps in knowledge identified in this review, will help drive this process. Keywords: male involvement, limited-resource settings, maternal child health

STUDY QUESTION What is the estimated prevalence and incidence of uterine fibroids diagnosed in Australian women of reproductive age? SUMMARY ANSWER An estimated 7.3% of Australian women had a diagnosis of uterine fibroids by the age of 45–49 years, with age-specific incidence highest in women aged 40–44 years (5.0 cases per 1000 person-years). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Uterine fibroids are associated with a high symptom burden and may affect overall health and quality of life. Studies in different countries show a wide variation in both the prevalence (4.5–68%) and incidence (2.2–37.5 per 1000 person-years) of uterine fibroids, which may be partly explained by the type of investigation, method of case ascertainment, or the age range of the study population, necessitating the reporting of country-specific estimates. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This observational prospective cohort study using self-report survey and linked administrative data (2000–2022) included 8066 women, born between 1973 and 1978, in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A combination of self-report survey and linked administrative health data (hospital, emergency department, the Medicare Benefits Schedule, and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) were used to identify women with a report of a diagnosis of uterine fibroids between 2000 and 2022. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Of the 8066 Australian women followed for 22 years, an estimated 7.3% of women (95% CI 6.9, 7.6) had a diagnosis of uterine fibroids by the age of 45–49 years. The incidence increased with age and was highest in women aged 40–44 years (5.0 cases per 1000 person-years, 95% CI 4.3, 5.7 cases per 1000 person-years). Women with uterine fibroids were more likely to experience heavy or painful periods. They were also more likely to report low iron levels, endometriosis, and poor self-rated health and to have two or more annual visits to their general practitioner. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our estimates are based on self-report of doctor diagnosis or treatment for fibroids and/or data linked to treatment and procedure administrative records. This predominantly captures women with symptomatic fibroids, but has the potential for misclassification of asymptomatic women and an underestimate of overall prevalence and incidence. In addition, questions on fibroids were only asked in surveys when women were 37–42 years of age to 43–48 years of age, so cases at younger ages may have been underestimated (particularly in women with less severe symptoms) as these were only ascertained through data linkage. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These are the first population-based estimates of the prevalence and incidence of uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age in Australia. Establishing these first estimates will help inform health policy and health care provision in the Australian context. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The ALSWH is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. L.FW. was supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centres for Research Excellence grant (APP1153420) and G.D.M. was supported by an NHMRC Leadership Fellowship (APP2009577). The funding bodies played no role in the design, the collection, analysis or interpretation of data, the writing of the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assisted partner service (APS) is effective for increasing HIV testing services (HTS) uptake among sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV with rare social harm. The acceptability of APS [...]

The study attempts to evaluate whether a daily dose of acyclovir resulted in the suppression of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and led to a reduced risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The results indicate that such therapy was not effective in reducing the risk of HIV-1 even though it did lead to a 73% reduction in the occurrence of genital ulcers due to HSV-2.

Background: In Kenya HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) is estimated at 18% versus 5.6% in general population. To reduce opioid addiction and HIV risk, methadone was introduced in Nairobi and Kenya's coastal region in 2013. Studies in high-income countries have shown that methadone is associated with antiretrovira therapy (ART) uptake, however, it is not known whether participation in a methadone program is associated with increased ART use among PWID in Kenya. Methods: Participants were recruited from an ongoing study of Assisted Partner Services (APS) to identify, test and link to care the sexual and injecting partners of HIV-positive PWID in Kenya. Recruitment for index participants was done from NSP programs and methadone clinics in Nairobi, Kilifi and Mombasa countie where they were receiving HIV care. In this study we interviewed all HIV-positive index participants who had injected drugs in the last one year about linkage to care, ART uptake, methadone use and current injecting practices. We used logistic regression to evaluate associations between methadone program participation and current ART use, adjusting for demographic and behavioral characteristics. Results: A total of 668 HIV-positive index participants were enrolled. Of these, 138 (21%) were on methadone and 527 (79%) reported they were taking ART. The majority of participants were male (52%) and median age was 36 years (IQR 31 to 42). Of 138 currently enrolled in methadone programs, 128 (93%) were on ART compared to 399 (75%) of the remaining 530 not taking methadone. After adjusting for age, sex, marital status, and living conditions, those on ART were over 4 times more likely to take methadone (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 4.21, p < 0.001). Of 346 men 89 (26%) were on methadone compared with 49 (15%) of 322 women (aOR = 0.45, p < 0.001). Women were also less likely to be on ART compared to men although this difference was not statistically significant (aOR = 0.72, p = 0.08). Conclusions: Methadone use was strongly associated with reported ART use amongst PWID in Kenya. Women were significantly less likely than men to take methadone and were also less likely to be taking ART. These findings can guide policies and practices for targeted methadone support programs in Kenya., OA21.02 L. Mbogo (1); A. Monroe-Wise (2); B. Sambai (1); B. Guthrie (2); D. Bukusi (3); W. Sinkele (4); P. Macharia (5); N. Ludwig (6); J. Herbeck (6); M. Dunbar [...]