RESUMO
The indicator used to measure progress toward the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for water is access to an improved water supply. However, improved supplies are frequently fecally contaminated in developing countries. We examined factors associated with Escherichia coli contamination of improved water supplies in rural Pisco province, Peru. A random sample of 207 households with at least one child less than 5 years old was surveyed, and water samples from the source and storage container were tested for E. coli contamination. Although over 90% of households used an improved water source, 47% of source and 43% of stored water samples were contaminated with E. coli. Pouring or using a spigot to obtain water from the storage container instead of dipping a hand or object was associated with decreased risk of contamination of stored water (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42, 0.80). Container cleanliness (aPR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45, 1.00) and correct handwashing technique (aPR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.42, 0.90) were also associated with decreased contamination risk. These findings highlighted the limitations of improved water supplies as an indicator of safe water access. To ensure water safety in the home, household water treatment and improved hygiene, water handling, and storage practices should be promoted.
Assuntos
Água Potável/microbiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Água Potável/normas , Escherichia coli , Características da Família , Fezes/microbiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peru , População Rural , Purificação da Água/métodos , Purificação da Água/estatística & dados numéricos , Qualidade da Água/normas , Abastecimento de Água/normas , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Strategies to prevent gastric cancer by decreasing Helicobacter pylori infections in high-prevalence, low-income countries could include a population-based "screen and treat" eradication program. METHODS: We tested residents of two rural villages for H. pylori infection using urea breath test (UBT), treated infected persons using directly observed therapy (DOT), retested for cure, and retested after 1 year later for H. pylori infection. FINDINGS: We tested 1,065 (92%) of 1153 residents from two villages in rural Bolivia. Baseline H. pylori prevalence was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78-84). Age-specific cure rates were similar (≥92%) after DOT. Among those cured, 12% (95% CI: 8-15) had recurrent infection. Age-specific annual H. pylori recurrence rates for combined villages were 20% (95% CI: 10-29) in persons <5 years, 20% (95% CI: 10-29) in 5-9 years, 8% (95% CI: 1-15) in 10-14 years, and 8% (95% CI: 4-12) in persons ≥15 years. Compared with the referent population, those ≥15 years, recurrent infections were significantly more likely in children <5 years (odds ratios [OR] 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-5.8) and 5-9 years (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.1). INTERPRETATION: Children <10 years had high H. pylori recurrence rates following a population-based screen and treat program; this H. pylori eradication strategy may not be feasible in high-prevalence, low-income settings.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Infecções por Helicobacter/prevenção & controle , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Neoplasias Gástricas/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Bolívia/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Quimioterapia Combinada , Feminino , Infecções por Helicobacter/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Helicobacter/epidemiologia , Helicobacter pylori/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Recidiva , População Rural , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Neoplasias Gástricas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Gástricas/epidemiologiaRESUMO
We evaluated a high (6%) cholera case-fatality rate in Haiti. Of 39 community decedents, only 23% consumed oral rehydration salts at home, and 59% did not seek care, whereas 54% of 48 health facility decedents died after overnight admission. Early in the cholera epidemic, care was inadequate or nonexistent.