Corruption and re-election chances of incumbent parties in developing countries

Possible explanations for re-electing corrupt incumbents are that elections are not free and fair, or that voters are or misinformed about incumbents’ corruption. After adjusting for election freedom and press freedom, study addresses (1) whether voters in developing countries punish incumbent parties for corruption, (2) whether broadcast on radio enhances the re-election chances of the incumbent parties in developing countries and (3) whether information about corruption changes the response of voters. Using probit models to analyze 48 elections from 33 developing countries, the study finds that: (1) corruption does not affect the re-election chances of incumbent parties in developing countries, (2) radio broadcasts enhance the re-election chances of incumbent parties in developing countries and (3) under certain circumstances, there is some evidence that information about corruption affects re-election chances of incumbent parties. The effect of information about corruption depends on whether the incumbent parties field different candidates from those in previous elections. In Africa, South and Central America, however, the effect also depends on whether the elections are free or fair. A key finding is that press freedom reduces the re-election chances of corrupt incumbent parties’ presidential candidates.Keywords: Corruption, Re-election, Electoral Fraud, Radio, Press Freedo

Comparison of treatment outcomes of new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients by HIV and antiretroviral status in a TB/HIV clinic, Malawi

Background: Smear-positive pulmonary TB is the most infectious form of TB. Previous studies on the effect of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on TB treatment outcomes among these highly infectious patients demonstrated conflicting results, reducing understanding of important issues. Methods: All adult smear-positive pulmonary TB patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2010 in Malawi's largest public, integrated TB/HIV clinic were included in the study to assess treatment outcomes by HIV and antiretroviral therapy status using logistic regression. Results: Of 2,361 new smear-positive pulmonary TB patients, 86% had successful treatment outcome (were cured or completed treatment), 5% died, 6% were lost to follow-up, 1% failed treatment, and 2% transferred-out. Overall HIV prevalence was 56%. After adjusting for gender, age and TB registration year, treatment success was higher among HIV-negative than HIV-positive patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.49; 95% CI: 1.14-1.94). Of 1,275 HIV-infected pulmonary TB patients, 492 (38%) received antiretroviral therapy during the study. Pulmonary TB patients on antiretroviral therapy were more likely to have successful treatment outcomes than those not on ART (adjusted odds ratio: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.29-2.60). Conclusion: HIV co-infection was associated with poor TB treatment outcomes. Despite high HIV prevalence and the integrated TB/HIV setting, only a minority of patients started antiretroviral therapy. Intensified patient education and provider training on the benefits of antiretroviral therapy could increase antiretroviral therapy uptake and improve TB treatment success among these most infectious patients. © 2013 Tweya et al

Integrated tuberculosis and HIV care in a resource-limited setting: experience from the Martin Preuss centre, Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and operation of integrated tuberculosis (TB) and HIV care at the Martin Preuss Centre, a multipartner organization bringing together governmental and non-governmental providers of HIV and TB services in Lilongwe, Malawi. METHODS: We used a case study approach to describe the integrated TB/HIV service and to illustrate successes and challenges faced by service providers. We quantified effective TB and HIV integration using indicators defined by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The custom-designed building facilitates patient flow and infection control, and other important elements include coordinated leadership; joint staff training and meetings; and data systems prompting coordinated care. Some integrated services have worked well from the outset, such as promoting HIV testing among patients with TB (96% of patients with TB had documented HIV status in 2009). Other aspects of integrated care have been more challenging, for example achieving high uptake of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive TB patients and combining data from paper and electronic systems. Good TB treatment outcomes (>85% cure or completion) have been achieved among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality integrated services for TB and HIV care can be provided in a resource-limited setting. Lessons learned may be valuable for service providers in other settings of high HIV and TB prevalence

Characteristics of adults and children diagnosed with tuberculosis in Lilongwe, Malawi: findings from an integrated HIV/TB clinic

Objectives  To describe initial registration characteristics of adult and paediatric TB patients at a large, public, integrated TB and HIV clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi, between January 2008 and December 2010. Methods  Routine data on patient with TB category and TB type, stratified by HIV and ART status, were used to explore differences in proportions among TB only, TB/HIV co-infected patients not on ART and TB/HIV co-infected patients on ART using chi-square tests. Trends over time illustrate strengths and weaknesses of integrated service provision. Results  Among 10 143 adults, HIV ascertainment and ART uptake were high and increased over time. The proportion of relapse was highest among those on ART (5%). The proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB) was highest among HIV-negative patients with TB (34.9%); extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) was lowest among TB only (16.2%). Among 338 children <15 years, EPTB and smear-positive PTB were more common among TB-only patients. Time trends showed significant increases in the proportion of adults with smear-positive PTB and the proportion of adults already on ART before starting TB treatment. However, some co-infected patients still delay ART initiation. Conclusions  HIV ascertainment and ART uptake among co-infected patients are successful and improving over time. However, delays in ART initiation indicate some weakness linking TB/HIV patients into ART during TB follow-up care. Improved TB diagnostics and screening efforts, especially for paediatric patients, may help improve quality care for co-infected patients. These results may aid efforts to prioritise TB and HIV prevention, education and treatment campaigns for specific populations

Isolation of a Series of Fatty Acid Components of Ongokea Gore Seed (Isano) Oil and Their Detailed Structural Analysis

The total oil production capacity of isano oil is estimated at about 10,000 tons annually. Previous studies of this oil revealed that it is rich in fatty acids including a conjugated diyne moiety. This makes isano oil an excellent candidate for sustainable applications development. However, only a few of its fatty acids have been isolated and identified so far. In this study, we have reinvestigated this oil by characterizing its physicochemical properties and isolating several of its fatty acids as ethyl esters for their detailed structural analysis and identification. Six ethyl esters of fatty acids constituting isanic oil were isolated by flash column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. The detailed structural analysis of these fatty acid esters by IR, (HR)MS, and NMR (1D and 2D) allowed determining unequivocally their chemical structure. The main fatty acid component of the oil (35.7 %) was identified as isanic acid. Four minor acids were found to possess also two conjugated triple bonds while the sixth fatty acid does not contain carbon-carbon triple bonds nor double bonds but possess a cis epoxide function. Results obtained in this study are currently being used to explore potential applications of isano oil