|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author Pinchbeck, G.L.; Clegg, P.D.; Proudman, C.J.; Morgan, K.L.; French, N.P.
Title (up) A prospective cohort study to investigate risk factors for horse falls in UK hurdle and steeplechase racing Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 36 Issue 7 Pages 595-601
Keywords *Accidental Falls/mortality/statistics & numerical data; Age Factors; Animal Welfare; Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/etiology/mortality/*veterinary; Cohort Studies; Great Britain; Horses/*injuries; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Prospective Studies; Questionnaires; Rain; Risk Factors; Safety; Sports
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Equine fatalities during racing continue to be a major welfare concern and falls at fences are responsible for a proportion of all equine fatalities recorded on racecourses. OBJECTIVES: To identify and quantify risk factors for horse falls in National Hunt (NH) racing and to report the frequency of falling and falling-associated fatalities. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 2879 horse starts in hurdle and steeplechase races on 6 UK racecourses. Any horse that suffered a fall at a steeplechase or hurdle fence during the race was defined as a case. Data were obtained by interview and observations in the parade ring and from commercial databases. Multivariable logistic regression models, allowing for clustering at the level of the track, were used to identify the relationship between variables and the risk of falling. RESULTS: There were 124 falling cases (32 in hurdling and 92 in steeplechasing) identified. The injury risk of fallers was 8.9% and fatality risk 6.5%. Duration of journey to the racecourse, behaviour in the parade ring and weather at the time of the race were associated with falling in both hurdle and steeplechase racing. Age, amount of rainfall and going were also associated with falling in steeplechase racing. CONCLUSIONS: Falls at fences are significant contributors to equine fatalities during NH racing. Potentially modifiable risk factors identified were the condition of track surfaces and journey time to the racecourse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: It is hoped that information from this study may be used in future interventions to improve horse and jockey safety in racing. The study has also identified areas requiring further research, such as equine behaviour and its effect on racing performance, and the effect of light conditions on jumping ability.
Address Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15581324 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1898
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Singer, E.R.; Saxby, F.; French, N.P.
Title (up) A retrospective case-control study of horse falls in the sport of horse trials and three-day eventing Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 139-145
Keywords Accidental Falls/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control/*veterinary; Case-Control Studies; Child; Confidence Intervals; Female; Horses/*injuries; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Odds Ratio; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Safety; *Sports/standards
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Serious injuries to horses and riders in horse trials (HT) and three-day events (3DE) are usually associated with falls of horses, which invariably involve falls of the riders. Many potential causes for these falls have been discussed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the risk factors for horse falls on the cross-country phase of horse trials and three-day events. METHODS: Using retrospective data, significant risk factors identified with unvariable analysis (P value <0.2) were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Significant risk factors (P value <0.05) were included in the final model. RESULTS: It was revealed that a number of course, obstacle and rider variables were significantly and independently associated with the risk of falling. Falling was associated with obstacles sited downhill (Odds ratio [OR] 8.41) and with obstacles with ditches in front (OR = 5.77). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between course variables and the risk of falling was characterised and showed a significantly increased risk with increasing numbers of jumps on the course and for jumping efforts later in the course. In contrast, after allowing for the total number of obstacles on the course, an increase in the total number of jumping efforts appeared to have a protective effect. A later cross-country start time was associated with a decreased risk of a horse fall. Amateur event riders were approximately 20 times more likely to fall than professional riders. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study has identified a number of risk factors associated with horse falls and highlights areas that can be altered to improve safety in cross-country competitions.
Address Division of Equine Studies, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12638789 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3661
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Murray, R.C.; Dyson, S.J.; Tranquille, C.; Adams, V.
Title (up) Association of type of sport and performance level with anatomical site of orthopaedic injury diagnosis Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J Suppl
Volume Issue 36 Pages 411-416
Keywords Animals; Athletic Injuries/diagnosis/etiology/*veterinary; Bone and Bones/*injuries; Chi-Square Distribution; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; *Horses/injuries/physiology; Logistic Models; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*adverse effects/*physiology; Physical Examination/veterinary; Risk Factors; Sports
Abstract REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although anecdotal reports of increased orthopaedic injury risk in equine sports exist, there is little scientific evidence to support this. OBJECTIVES: To test whether horses undertaking a single competitive sport have increased risk of specific injuries compared to those used for general purpose riding (GP); and whether injury type varies with sport category and performance level. METHODS: Data from 1069 records of horses undergoing orthopaedic evaluation (1998-2003) and meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed. Sport category (GP, showjumping, dressage, eventing, racing), level (nonelite or elite) and diagnosis were recorded. Effects of sport category and level on probability of a specific diagnosis were assessed using chi-squared tests. Logistic regression was used to determine which competitive sports and levels increased risk of injury compared with GP. RESULTS: Overall there was a significant effect of sport category and level on diagnosis (P<0.0001). There was significant difference between anatomical site injured and sport category (P<0.0001); a high risk of forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon injury in elite eventing (P<0.0001) and elite showjumping (P = 0.02); distal deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injury in elite showjumping (P = 0.002); and hindlimb suspensory ligament injury in elite (P<0.0001) and nonelite (P = 0.001) dressage. There was a low risk of tarsal injury in elite eventing (P = 0.01) and proximal DDFT injury in dressage (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Horses competing in different sports are predisposed to specific injuries; particular sports may increase the risk of injury at certain anatomical sites; and the type and site of injury may reflect the type and level of performance. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: These findings could guide clinicians in the diagnosis of sport related injuries.
Address Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kenfford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:17402457 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3703
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Parkin, T.D.H.; Clegg, P.D.; French, N.P.; Proudman, C.J.; Riggs, C.M.; Singer, E.R.; Webbon, P.M.; Morgan, K.L.
Title (up) Horse-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds in the UK Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 36 Issue 6 Pages 513-519
Keywords Animals; Athletic Injuries/epidemiology/mortality/*veterinary; Case-Control Studies; Female; Fractures, Bone/epidemiology/mortality/*veterinary; Great Britain/epidemiology; Horses/*injuries; Logistic Models; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/*adverse effects/mortality; Questionnaires; Radius Fractures/epidemiology/mortality/veterinary; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Tibial Fractures/epidemiology/mortality/veterinary
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Fractures below the level of the radius or tibia (distal limb fractures) are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses; however, little is known about their epidemiology or aetiology. Identification of risk factors could enable intervention strategies to be designed to reduce the number of fatalities. OBJECTIVES: To identify horse-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. METHODS: A case-control study design was used. Fractures in case horses were confirmed by post mortem examination and 3 matched uninjured controls were selected from the race in which the case horse was running. One hundred and nine cases were included and information was collected about previous racing history, horse characteristics and training schedules. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. RESULTS: Horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Case horses were also more likely to have trained on a sand gallop, i.e. a gallop described by trainers as being primarily composed of sand. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to training schedules, specifically within the first year of racing, may have a large impact on the risk of fatal distal limb fracture on the racecourse. Horses should do some gallop work in training and our results suggest that the minimum distance galloped should be between 805-2012 m (4-10 furlongs)/week. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The information from this study can be used to alter training schedules in an attempt to reduce the incidence of fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Training should include some gallop work, and further studies, recording the exact level of work, will help to identify an optimum range of training speeds and distances which will reduce the liklihood of catastrophic fracture on the racecourse.
Address Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15460076 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 3660
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Nocera, J.J.; Forbes, G.J.; Giraldeau, L.-A.
Title (up) Inadvertent social information in breeding site selection of natal dispersing birds Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Proceedings. Biological Sciences / The Royal Society Abbreviated Journal Proc Biol Sci
Volume 273 Issue 1584 Pages 349-355
Keywords Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Breeding; *Environment; Female; Logistic Models; Male; Songbirds/growth & development/*physiology
Abstract Several species use the number of young produced as public information (PI) to assess breeding site quality. PI is inaccessible for synchronously breeding birds because nests are empty by the time the young can collect this information. We investigate if location cues are the next best source of inadvertent social information (ISI) used by young prospectors during breeding site choice. We experimentally deployed ISI as decoys and song playbacks of breeding males in suitable and sub-optimal habitats during pre- and post-breeding periods, and monitored territory establishment during the subsequent breeding season for a social, bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and a more solitary species, Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni). The sparrows did not respond to treatments, but bobolinks responded strongly to post-breeding location cues, irrespective of habitat quality. The following year, 17/20 sub-optimal plots to which bobolink males were recruited were defended for at least two weeks, indicating that song heard the previous year could exert a “carry-over attraction” effect on conspecifics the following year. Sixteen recruited males were natal dispersers, as expected when animals have little opportunity to directly sample their natal habitat quality. We suggest that differences in breeding synchronicity may induce an equivalent clinal distribution of ISI use.
Address Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Bag Service #45111, Fredericton, NB E3B 6E1, Canada. j.nocera@unb.ca
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0962-8452 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16543178 Approved no
Call Number Serial 2129
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sinha, A.
Title (up) Knowledge acquired and decisions made: triadic interactions during allogrooming in wild bonnet macaques, Macaca radiata Type Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences Abbreviated Journal Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Volume 353 Issue 1368 Pages 619-631
Keywords Aggression; Animals; Cognition; Computer Simulation; Decision Making; Evolution; Female; Grooming; Logistic Models; Macaca radiata/*psychology; *Social Behavior; Social Dominance
Abstract The pressures of developing and maintaining intricate social relationships may have led to the evolution of enhanced cognitive abilities in many nonhuman primates. Knowledge of the dominance ranks and social relationships of other individuals, in particular, is important in evaluating one's position in the rank hierarchy and affiliative networks. Triadic interactions offer an excellent opportunity to examine whether decisions are taken by individuals on the basis of such knowledge. Allogrooming supplants among wild female bonnet macaques (macaca radiata) usually involved the subordinate female of a grooming dyad retreating at the approach of a female dominant to both members of the dyad. In a few exceptional cases, however, the dominant member of the dyad retreated; simple non-cognitive hypotheses involving dyadic rank differences and agonistic relationships failed to explain this phenomenon. Instead, retreat by the dominant individual was positively correlated with the social attractiveness of her subordinate companion (as measured by the duration of grooming received by the latter from other females in the troop). This suggests that not only does an individual evaluate relationships among other females, but does so on the basis of the amount of grooming received by them. Similarly, the frequency of approaches received by any female was correlated with her social attractiveness when she was the dominant member of the dyad, but not when she was the subordinate. This indicated that approaching females might be aware of the relative dominance ranks of the two allogrooming individuals. In logistic regression analyses, the probability of any individual retreating was found to be influenced more by her knowledge of her rank difference with both the other interactants, rather than by their absolute ranks. Moreover, information about social attractiveness appeared to be used in terms of correlated dominance ranks. The nature of knowledge acquired by bonnet macaque females may thus be egotistical in that other individuals are evaluated relative to oneself, integrative in that information about all other interactants is used simultaneously, and hierarchical in the ability to preferentially use certain categories of knowledge for the storage of related information from other domains.
Address National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR Centre, Bangalore, India
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0962-8436 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:9602536 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4362
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Senior, J.M.; Pinchbeck, G.L.; Allister, R.; Dugdale, A.H.A.; Clark, L.; Clutton, R.E.; Coumbe, K.; Dyson, S.; Clegg, P.D.
Title (up) Post anaesthetic colic in horses: a preventable complication? Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 38 Issue 5 Pages 479-484
Keywords Anesthesia/adverse effects/*veterinary; Animals; Case-Control Studies; Colic/chemically induced/epidemiology/prevention & control/*veterinary; Confidence Intervals; Fasting; Fecal Impaction/complications/epidemiology/veterinary; Horse Diseases/chemically induced/*epidemiology/prevention & control; Horses; Logistic Models; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Postoperative Complications/chemically induced/epidemiology/prevention & control/*veterinary; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There is little information on the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, post anaesthetic colic (PAC) in horses undergoing nonabdominal operations. OBJECTIVES: To undertake the first prospective study of prevalence of PAC and identify risk factors in its development in nonabdominal procedures. METHODS: A multicentre prospective case-control study was conducted, on every horse undergoing anaesthesia for a nonabdominal procedure between April 2004 and June 2005. Colic cases were defined as any horse with recognised signs of abdominal pain within 72 h of general anaesthesia that could not be attributed to any concurrent disease. Five control horses per case were selected randomly from the study population at all hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between predictor variables and the risk of developing PAC. RESULTS: The estimated mean prevalence of PAC in the study population was 5.2% (95% CI, 2.8, 8.0). However, the prevalence of colic varied between each centre. The most commonly diagnosed cause of colic was impaction. Multivariable analyses showed that the centre involved and the type of surgery performed were associated with an increased risk of PAC. Preoperative food deprivation and the use of opioid drugs were confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of PAC varied significantly between the 4 hospitals studied; there may be hospital-related covariates that account for this. The type of surgery performed influenced the risk of PAC. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Identifying the risk factors for PAC is a prerequisite for its prevention. This study indicates horses at increased risk of PAC that might benefit from a more critical evaluation of post anaesthetic gastrointestinal function and/or the provision of preventative measures. Further investigation is required to explain the variation in prevalence of PAC between centres.
Address Institutes of Evolution, Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, UK
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16986610 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1860
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Nelson, D.M.; Gardner, I.A.; Chiles, R.F.; Balasuriya, U.B.; Eldridge, B.F.; Scott, T.W.; Reisen, W.K.; James Maclachlan, N.
Title (up) Prevalence of antibodies against Saint Louis encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon viruses in California horses Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Abbreviated Journal Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis
Volume 27 Issue 3 Pages 209-215
Keywords Animals; Antibodies, Viral/*blood; California/epidemiology; Encephalitis Virus, California/*immunology/isolation & purification; Encephalitis Virus, St. Louis/*immunology/isolation & purification; Encephalitis, St. Louis/epidemiology/immunology/*veterinary/virology; Female; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/immunology/*virology; Horses; Logistic Models; Male; Neutralization Tests/veterinary; Polyomavirus Infections/epidemiology/immunology/*veterinary/virology; Questionnaires; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Tumor Virus Infections/epidemiology/immunology/*veterinary/virology
Abstract Jamestown Canyon (JC) and Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) viruses are mosquito-transmitted viruses that have long been present in California. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of these two viruses in horses prior to the introduction of West Nile (WN) virus. Approximately 15% of serum samples collected in 1998 from 425 horses on 44 equine operations horses throughout California had serum antibodies to JC virus, whereas antibodies were not detected to SLE virus. The results indicate that horses in California were commonly infected prior to 1998 with mosquito-transmitted Bunyaviruses that are identical or closely related to JC virus, but not with SLE virus. The different seroprevalence of SLE and JC viruses in horses likely reflects the unique ecology of each virus, and it is predicted that WN virus will have a wider distribution in California than closely related SLE virus.
Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, California and Nevada Area Office, 9850 Micron Avenue, Suite E, Sacramento, CA 95827, USA
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0147-9571 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:15001316 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 2637
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Husted, L.; Andersen, M.S.; Borggaard, O.K.; Houe, H.; Olsen, S.N.
Title (up) Risk factors for faecal sand excretion in Icelandic horses Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Equine Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J
Volume 37 Issue 4 Pages 351-355
Keywords Animal Feed; Animal Husbandry/methods; Animals; Denmark; Feces/*chemistry; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control/veterinary; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/prevention & control; Horses/*metabolism; Logistic Models; Male; Pilot Projects; *Poaceae/growth & development; Risk Factors; Silicon Dioxide/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analysis; Soil/*analysis
Abstract REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Sandy soil is often mentioned as a risk factor in the development of sand-related gastrointestinal disease (SGID) in the horse. There are other variables, but few studies confirm any of these. OBJECTIVE: To investigate soil type, pasture quality, feeding practice in the paddock, age, sex and body condition score as risk factors for sand intake in the horse. METHODS: Faeces were collected from 211 Icelandic horses on 19 different studs in Denmark together with soil samples and other potential risk factors. Sand content in faeces determined by a sand sedimentation test was interpreted as evidence of sand intake. Soil types were identified by soil analysis and significance of the data was tested using logistic analysis. RESULTS: Of horses included in the study, 56.4% showed sand in the faeces and 5.7% had more than 5 mm sand as quantified by the rectal sleeve sedimentation test. Soil type had no significant effect when tested as main effect, but there was interaction between soil type and pasture quality. Significant interactions were also found between paddock feeding practice and pasture quality. CONCLUSION: To evaluate the risk of sand intake it is important to consider 3 variables: soil type, pasture quality and feeding practice. Pasture quality was identified as a risk factor of both short and long grass in combination with sandy soil, while clay soil had the lowest risk in these combinations. Feeding practice in the paddock revealed feeding directly on the ground to be a risk factor when there was short (1-5 cm) or no grass. Also, no feeding outdoors increased the risk on pastures with short grass, while this had no effect in paddocks with no grass. More than 50% of all horses investigated in this study had sand in the faeces. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The identification of risk factors is an important step towards prevention of SGID. Further research is necessary to determine why some horses exhibit more than 5 mm sand in the sedimentation test and whether this is correlated with geophagic behaviour.
Address Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Dyrlaegevej 88, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16028626 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1888
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Romano, N.; Vitale, F.; Alesi, D.R.; Bonura, F.; La Licata, R.; Intonazzo, V.; Dardanoni, G.; Mammina, C.
Title (up) The changing pattern of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in intravenous drug users. Results of a six-year seroprevalence study in Palermo, Italy Type Journal Article
Year 1992 Publication American Journal of Epidemiology Abbreviated Journal Am J Epidemiol
Volume 135 Issue 11 Pages 1189-1196
Keywords Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*epidemiology; Adolescent; Adult; Chi-Square Distribution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; HIV Antibodies/blood; HIV Infections/*epidemiology; HIV Seroprevalence/*trends; *Hiv-1; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood; Heroin; Humans; Incidence; Italy/epidemiology; Logistic Models; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*epidemiology; Time Factors
Abstract A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study was carried out between 1985 and 1990 in 1,567 heterosexual intravenous drug users who had been seen at the AIDS Regional Reference Center in Palermo, Italy, to evaluate the rate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seroprevalence in this group and its long-term trend. Sixty serum samples collected from drug users in 1980 and 1983, before the founding of the Center (1985), were tested as well. Some demographic and behavioral risk factors were studied in a subgroup of intravenous drug users enrolled in 1985, 1987, and 1990 for their possible association with HIV-1. These factors were also studied in relation to hepatitis B virus infection, since both viruses share the same modes of spread. These drug users had a higher prevalence of markers for hepatitis B virus than of HIV-1 antibodies, and the prevalence rates in sera collected declined over time for both infections. The presence of both antibodies to HIV-1 and markers for hepatitis B virus was independently associated with the age of the drug user, the duration of drug use, and the year of serum collection. Antibodies to HIV-1 were observed more frequently in females than in males. No relation was found between education or employment status and the presence of HIV-1 antibodies or hepatitis B virus markers. Although new HIV-1 infections still occur, the decline in seroprevalence observed at the end of the 1980s might be related to modifications in social behavior among newer drug users, partial exhaustion of the susceptible population, and increasing risk awareness in more experienced users.
Address Giuseppe D'Alessandro Department of Hygiene and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Italy
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0002-9262 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:1626537 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5258
Permanent link to this record