Perceived Risk of Dengue in Ones’ Living Environment as a Determinant of Behavior Change through Social Mobilization and Communication: Evidence from a High Risk area in Sri Lanka

Background: The aim of this study was to assess community knowledge and behavioral impact of the social mobili­zation and communication strategy applied in a dengue high-risk area in Sri Lanka. Methods: A group of adults visiting selected primary care facilities in Colombo district were interviewed to collect socio-demographicdata, attributes of knowledge regarding dengue and the responsive behaviors adopted by them following the dengue control program though the media and social marketing campaigns. These attributes were clas­sified as `good ', `fair,' or `poor' by developing a composite scale for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: The primary source of information was television in the majority. The overall knowledge of the disease, vector and control methods was poor. The overall level of contribution to dengue control activities was good. Conclusion: Awareness of the disease and its complications had not contributed to favorable behavior changes.  While the social mobilization and behavior change campaign in Sri Lanka had low impact on knowledge and be­haviors, a better understating of community perceptions of DF and how these perceptions are formulated within the social and cultural context; would be useful to improve uptake. This knowledge would be valuable for program plan­ners to strengthen dengue control activities in SL and other similar settings across the region

Controlled delivery of the antiprotozoal agent (tinidazole) from intra-vaginal polymer matrices for treatment of the sexually transmitted infection, trichomoniasis

Microporous polymeric matrices prepared from poly(ɛ-caprolactone) [PCL] were evaluated for controlled vaginal delivery of the antiprotozoal agent (tinidazole) in the treatment of the sexually transmitted infection, trichomoniasis. The matrices were produced by rapidly cooling co-solutions of PCL and tinidazole in acetone to -80°C to induce crystallisation and hardening of the polymer. Tinidazole incorporation in the matrices increased from 1.4 to 3.9% (w/w), when the drug concentration in the starting PCL solution was raised from 10 to 20% (w/w), giving rise to drug loading efficiencies up to 20%. Rapid 'burst release' of 30% of the tinidazole content was recorded over 24h when the PCL matrices were immersed in simulated vaginal fluid. Gradual drug release occurred over the next six days resulting in delivery of around 50% of the tinidazole load by day 7 with the released drug retaining antiprotozoal activity at levels almost 50% that of the 'non-formulated' drug in solution form. Basic modelling predicted that the concentration of tinidazole released into vaginal fluid in vivo from a PCL matrix in the form of an intravaginal ring would exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration against Trichomonas vaginalis. These findings recommend further investigation of PCL matrices as intravaginal devices for controlled delivery of antiprotozoal agents in the treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections

Additional file 1: of Student preparedness characteristics important for clinical learning: perspectives of supervisors from medicine, pharmacy and nursing

Questionnaire on student preparedness for clinical learning-Supervisors’ perspective. (DOCX 26 kb