Immunologic monitoring is part of the standard care for patients on antiretroviral treatment. Yet, little is known about the routine implementation of immunologic monitoring in Ethiopia. This study assessed the pattern of immunologic monitoring, immunologic response, level of immunologic treatment failure and factors related to it among patients on antiretroviral therapy in selected hospitals in southern Ethiopia. A retrospective longitudinal analytic study was conducted using documents of patients started on antiretroviral therapy. A total of 1,321 documents of patients reviewed revealed timely immunologic monitoring were inadequate. Despite overall adequate immunologic response, the prevalence of immunologic failure was 11.5% (n=147). Having WHO Stage III/IV of the disease and a higher CD4 (cluster differentiation 4) cell count at baseline were identified as risks for immunologic failure. These findings highlight the magnitude of the problem of immunologic failure. Prioritizing monitoring for high risk patients may help in effective utilisation of meager resources / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Sept. 16, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

Magister Public Health - MPH / The study aimed to assess the level of adherence and to identify the barriers to adherence and the motivations for good adherence to antiretroviral therapy, amongst women who commenced treatment while pregnant at research clinics in Molepolole, Mochudi, Lobatse and Gaborone. / South Africa

Patient-focused research systems have been developed to monitor and inform therapists of patients' treatment progress in psychotherapy as a method to enhance patient outcome. The current study examined the effects of providing treatment progress information and problem-solving tools to both patients and therapists during the course of psychotherapy. Three hundred seventy patients at a hospital-based outpatient psychotherapy clinic were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: treatment-as-usual, or an experimental condition based on the use of patient/therapist feedback and clinical decision-support tools. Patients in the feedback condition were significantly more improved at termination than the patients in the treatment as usual condition. These findings are consistent with past research on these approaches although the effect size was smaller in this study. Treatment effects were not a consequence of different amounts of psychotherapy received by experimental and control clients. Not all therapists were aided by the feedback intervention.

The early identification of non-responding psychotherapy clients and reducing their treatment failure rates are the principal functions of Clinical Support Tools (CST). Nearly two decades of patient-focused research have produced several "evidence-based treatment monitoring" (EBTM) practices, that measure individual patients' responses to theory-guided treatments and alert therapists of clients who are at risk of eventual treatment failure. Clinical Support Tools are a quality management program that bundle several EBTM practices, and have been shown to improve outcomes in failing clients (Shimokawa, Lambert & Smart, 2010). Appropriately, EBTM has generated significant interest as it expands notions of what constitutes evidence-based practice with non-responding patients (APA, 2006). There is a practical need to disseminate Clinical Support Tools to a wider audience of clinicians and practice environments. The current study was designed to advance understanding of CST mechanisms by providing detailed, qualitative data that demonstrate how CST procedures are utilized in routine practice. Eleven doctoral-level psychologists experienced in using Clinical Support Tools at a university counseling center were interviewed about their use of Clinical Support Tools with a recent non-responding client and about their general experiences with past non-responding clients. Clinicians' responses were categorized as Actions, Decisions, or Attitudes, and were subjected to inductive, thematic content analysis. Results were interpreted to indicate which CST functions were active or inactive in the therapists' routine care. Findings indicated that therapists utilized CST resources to monitor patient status, to identify problems that may have explained therapy non-response, and to initiate corrective interventions. Although it was clear that therapists used the CST signal-alarm system to initiate a problem assessment and corrective intervention, it was less clear whether therapists used CST's to determine significance of client change or to determine the client's prognosis. This observation needs to be confirmed through further investigation. Future research that quantifies CST utilization and investigates implementation-outcome relationships is recommended. Finally, practical avenues for increasing the influence and prevalence of EBTM practices in behavioral healthcare are discussed.

<p>Studija se sastojala od dva dela &ndash; eksperimentalnog i kliničkog. Eksperimentalni deo je sproveden na Fakultetu tehničkih nauka u Novom Sadu na Departmanu za mehanizaciju i konstrukciono ma&scaron;instvo. Trideset dve zglobne povr&scaron;ine gornjeg okrajka golenjače sa pripojem prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze je uzeto tokom totalne aloartroplastike kolena kod trideset dva pacijenta kod kojih je preoperativno načinjena AP i profilna radiografija sa standardnim uvećanjem u cilju merenja veličine kolena a uz prethodno potpisanu saglasnost pacijenata. Zatim je načinjeno trodimenzionalno skeniranje prostorne povr&scaron;ine pripoja prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze na golenjači u odnosu na ravan zglobne povr&scaron;ine golenjače heptičkim uređajem &bdquo;Phantom Omni&reg;&ldquo; radi utvrđivanja korelacije između povr&scaron;ine pripoja prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze na golenjači i veličine platoa golenjače. U eksperimentalni deo su bili uključeni pacijenti oba pola metodom slučajnog izbora kod kojih je ugrađivana totalna proteza kolena a koji su prethodno potpisali informisani pristanak pacijenta na operativni zahvat na Klinici za ortopedsku hirurgiju i traumatologiju Kliničkog centra Vojvodine. Klinički deo studije je bio retrospektivno-prospektivnog karaktera i obuhvatio je ukupno 60 pacijenata izabranih metodom slučajnog izbora od kojih je ispitivanu grupu činilo 30 pacijenata u kojih je do&scaron;lo do ponovne rupture prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze levog ili desnog kolena nakon urađene primarne rekonstrukcije te je načinjena ponovna rekonstrukcija veze, i kontrolnu grupu koju je činilo 30 pacijenata u kojih je zbog rupture prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze načinjena primarna rekonstrukcija nakon koje nije do&scaron;lo do ponovne rupture. Kod svih pacijenata je rekonstrukcija prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze kolena rađena kalemom kost-tetiva-kost. Ishod rekonstrukcije je procenjivan na osnovu Tegner bodovne skale, Lysholm i IKDC bodovne skale za koleno, artrometrijskog merenja Lachman testa, Pivot shift testa, poloţaja kalema i urađeno je poređenje dobijenih rezultata u ispitivanoj (revizionoj) i kontrolnoj grupi. U klinički deo istraţivanja su bili uključeni pacijenti oba pola, ţivotne dobi od 18 do 40 godina koji su operisani na Klinici za ortopedsku hirurgiju i traumatologiju Kliničkog centra Vojvodine u Novom Sadu a koji su dali informisani pristanak za uključivanje. Kriterijumi za isključivanje pacijenata iz kliničkog dela istraživanja su bili životna dob manja od 18 i veća od 40 godina, pojava težih op&scaron;te-hirur&scaron;kih komplikacija i prestanak želje pacijenta da dalje učestvuje u ovom istraživanju. Nakon sveobuhvatne analize dobijenih rezultata istraţivanja, zaključeno je da postoji korelacija između povr&scaron;ine pripoja prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze na golenjači i veličine platoa golenjače. Formula, načinjena matematičko-statističkim metodama za ovo istraživanje, adekvatna je i praktično primenljiva za predikciju povr&scaron;ine pripoja prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze na golenjači u velikom procentu slučajeva a na osnovu samo dva radiografska parametra izmerenih preoperativno &ndash; prednje-zadnjeg i unutra&scaron;nje-spolja&scaron;njeg dijametra platoa golenjače. Kori&scaron;ćenje ove formule može da doprinese pobolj&scaron;anju rezultata hirur&scaron;kog lečenja pacijenata sa pokidanom prednjom ukr&scaron;tenom vezom kolena. Takođe, zaključeno je da je uzrok neuspeha primarne rekonstrukcije multifaktorijalan kao i da nema statistički značajne razlike u ishodu između ispitanika sa dobrom i ispitanika sa lo&scaron;om pozicijom kalema. Potvrđena je pretpostavka da je ishod ponovne rekonstrukcije prednje ukr&scaron;tene veze kolena slabiji u odnosu na ishod primarne.</p> / <p>This study consisted of two parts &ndash; experimental and clinical. Experimental part was conducted at the Department of Mechanization and Design Engineering of The Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Thirty two proximal tibial articular surfaces together with the anterior cruciate ligament insertion of thirty two patients were harvested during total knee arthroplasty. All patients had standard preoperative AP and profile radiographs with standard magnification in order to acquire the knee measurements. All patients previously signed the informed consent. The harvested proximal tibial articular surfaces were 3D scanned by a haptic device called &bdquo;Phantom Omni&reg;&ldquo; in order to determine the correlation between the size of the anterior cruciate ligament insertion site and the size of the tibial plateau. Thirty two randomly chosen patients of both sexes which had a knee arthroplasty were included in the experimental part of this study. All of the patients signed the informed consent at The Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of The Clinical Centre of Vojvodina. The clinical part was a retrospective-prospective study. This part included 60 randomly chosen patients divided into two groups. The test group consisted of 30 patients who had undergone a revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The control group consisted of 30 patients who had undergone only primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A bone-tendon-bone graft was used for the reconstruction in all cases. The outcome was assessed by using Tegner activity scale, Lysholm knee scoring scale, IKDC score, arthrometric evaluation, Pivot shift test and the position of the graft. The results were compared between the test group and the control group. The clinical part of the study included 60 patients of both sexes, age 18-40 which were operated at The Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology of The Clinical Centre of Vojvodina. All of the patients signed the informed consent for participation in this study. The exclusion criteria were age under 18 and above 40, occurrence of severe general surgical complications and a patient wish to be excluded from further investigation. After a thorough analysis of the results, we concluded that the correlation between the size of the anterior cruciate ligament tibial insertion site and the size of the tibial plateau exists. Formula which was created for this study by using mathematical and statistical methods, is adequate and practically applicable for the prediction of size of the anterior cruciate ligament tibial insertion site in the majority of cases based on just two preoperative radiographic parameters &ndash; AP and profile diameter of the tibial plateau. The use of this formula may improve the outcome of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We also concluded that the cause of the primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction failure is multifactorial as well as that there is no statistically significant difference between the patients with good and the patients with poor graft position. We confirmed the assumption that the outcome of the revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is poorer than the outcome of the primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:43:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PolianaMCD_DISSERT.pdf: 1792247 bytes, checksum: 7f68d2f3ec1dcc9a4fd54fc8a9e991be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-13 / The evaluation criteria of the cases treated with dental implants are based on clinical and radiographic tests. In this context it is important to conduct research to determine prognosis of different types of prosthetic rehabilitation and determination of the main problems affecting this type of treatment. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prosthetic conditions of individuals rehabilitated with implant-supported prosthesis. In this cross-sectional study 153 patients were treated, accounting for a sample of 509 implants. The failures were observed by clinical and radiographic examination. The results showed that the fracture (0.2%) loss (0.4%) and loosening of the screws (3.3%) were failures are less frequent. The fracture structures as the resin (12.4%), porcelain (5.5%) and metallic (1.5%), loss of resin that covers the screw (23.8%) and loss of retention overdentures on implants (18.6%) had a higher occurrence. The failure of adaptation between the abutment and the implant (6.9%) and especially between the prosthesis and the abutment (25.4%) had a high prevalence and, when related to other parameters showed a significant association, particularly with the cemented prosthesis (OR = 6.79). It can be concluded that to minimize the appearance of failures, protocols must be observed from diagnosis to the settlement and control of prostheses on implants, particularly with respect to technical steps of the making of the prosthesis and care in radiographic evaluating the fit between their components / Os crit?rios de avalia??o dos casos tratados com implantes osseointegrados s?o baseados em testes cl?nicos e exames radiogr?ficos. Nesse contexto, ? importante a realiza??o de pesquisas na determina??o do progn?stico dos diferentes tipos de reabilita??es prot?ticas e na determina??o dos principais problemas que atingem este tipo de tratamento. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as condi??es prot?ticas de indiv?duos reabilitados com implantes osseointegrados e pr?teses sobre implantes. Neste estudo transversal foram atendidos 153 pacientes, contabilizando uma amostra de 509 implantes. As falhas foram observadas atrav?s do exame cl?nico e radiogr?fico. Os resultados demonstraram que a fratura (0,2%), a perda (0,4%) e o afrouxamento dos parafusos (3,3%) foram as falhas menos frequentes. A fratura das estruturas como a resina (12,4%), porcelana (5,5%) e met?lica (1,5%), a perda da resina que recobre o parafuso de fixa??o (23,8%) e a perda de reten??o nas pr?teses overdentures (18,6%), tiveram uma ocorr?ncia maior. A falha de adapta??o, entre o pilar e o implante (6,9%) e principalmente entre a pr?tese e o pilar (25,4%) teve uma alta preval?ncia e, quando relacionada com outros par?metros, demonstrou uma associa??o significativa, principalmente com a fixa??o do tipo cimentada (OR= 5,39). Pode-se concluir que para minimizar o aparecimento de falhas, protocolos devem ser observados desde o diagn?stico at? o assentamento e controle das pr?teses sobre implantes, principalmente com rela??o aos passos t?cnicos da confec??o da pr?tese e com o cuidado em avaliar radiograficamente a adapta??o entre seus componentes

Introdução: A trilha da glenoide é determinada pelo contato que a cartilagem da cavidade glenoidal promove na superfície articular da cabeça do úmero em abdução e rotação lateral. É considerada importante parâmetro na tomada de decisão do tipo de tratamento cirúrgico da instabilidade glenoumeral anterior. Os limites da trilha da glenoide foram definidos por meio de estudos em cadáveres ou por exames de imagem, que não contemplam as forças articulares fisiológicas envolvidas no contato articular. Modelos numéricos de elementos finitos têm a capacidade de simular essas forças articulares e seus efeitos no contato entre as superfícies articulares. Objetivo: Avaliar a trilha da glenoide em modelo numérico de elementos finitos do ombro. Métodos: Será construído um modelo numérico de elementos finitos do ombro baseado em exames de imagem de um voluntário. O modelo contemplará o úmero, a escápula, suas respectivas cartilagens articulares e os músculos do manguito rotador e deltóide. O modelo será validado quanto a sua anatomia e fisiologia e terá liberdade de translação em três eixos. A trilha da glenoide será avaliada nas seguintes posições: 0º, 60º, 90º e 120º de abdução, todas a 90º de rotação lateral. Para cada posição serão avaliadas as características de contato articular e medida a trilha da glenoide conforme referências da literatura. Resultados: O valor da trilha da glenoide em 90º de abdução, segundo parâmetros de Yamamoto, foi de 86% do comprimento máximo anteroposterior da cavidade glenoidal antes do carregamento das forças, e de 79% após. A trilha da glenoide em 60º, 90º e 120º de abdução, segundo parâmetros de Omori, correspondeu respectivamente a 71%, 88% e 104% do comprimento anteroposterior de Omori antes do carregamento das forças, e, após, de 76%, 84% e 103%. Conclusão: Foi construído um modelo numérico validado de elementos finitos do ombro adequado para estudo do contato articular. A análise do contato articular desse modelo ratifica o conceito da trilha da glenoide e contribui para sua evolução / Introduction: The glenoid track is determined by the contact of the glenoid on the articular surface of the humeral head in abduction and external rotation. It is considered an important parameter in decision-making on the type of surgical treatment for anterior glenohumeral instability. The limits of the glenoid track were defined through cadaver studies, or by imaging exams, which do not take into account the physiological articular forces involved in the articular contact. Finite elements numerical models are able to simulate these articular forces and their effects on the contact between the articular surfaces. Objective: To evaluate the glenoid track in a finite elements numerical model of the shoulder. Methods: A finite elements numerical model of the shoulder will be made, based on imaging exams of a volunteer. The model will include the humerus, scapula, their respective articular cartilages, and the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles. The model will have its anatomy and physiology validated, and will have freedom of translation in three axes. The glenoid track will be evaluated in the following positions: 0º, 60º, 90º and 120º of abduction, all at 90º external rotation. For each position, characteristics of articular contact will be evaluated, and the glenoid track measured according to the literature references. Results: The value of the glenoid track at 90º abduction, according to the parameters of Yamamoto, was 86% maximum anteroposterior length of the glenoid before loading of forces, and 79% afterwards. The glenoid track at 60º, 90º and 120º of abduction, according to Omori\'s parameters, corresponded, respectively, to 71%, 88% and 104% of Omori\'s anteroposterior length before loading of forces, and 76%, 84% and 103% afterwards. Conclusion: A validated finite elements numerical model of the shoulder suitable for the articular contact evaluation was made. The articular contact analysis ratifies the glenoid track concept and contributes to its evolution

<p>The study aimed to assess the level of adherence and to identify the barriers to adherence and the motivations for good adherence to antiretroviral therapy, amongst women who commenced treatment while pregnant at research clinics in Molepolole, Mochudi, Lobatse and Gaborone.</p>

<p>The study aimed to assess the level of adherence and to identify the barriers to adherence and the motivations for good adherence to antiretroviral therapy, amongst women who commenced treatment while pregnant at research clinics in Molepolole, Mochudi, Lobatse and Gaborone.</p>