Viral hepatitis and Treponema pallidum prevalence in persons who underwent premarital blood tests in Argentina

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of different serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses and Treponema pallidum among the adult population of Argentina. To achieve this, adults who attended health services for premarital exams (which are mandatory and includes screening for syphilis) were recruited. A cross-sectional study was designed with a cluster sampling strategy. Couples who attended selected health services for premarital screening between 2013 and 2014 in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza and Santa Fe provinces were included. A total of 3833 individuals were recruited. Anti-HAV prevalence was 63.9%, anti-HCV 0.3%, anti-HBc (without HBsAg) 1.9%, HBsAg 0.3%, and T pallidum 0.8%. Anti-HAV was higher among older participants, foreigners and those from the lower strata. HBV increased with age and was higher among foreigners and those with lower formal educational level. Anti-HCV frequency increased with age. Premarital screening of viral hepatitis could constitute an instance of diagnosis, vaccination and inclusion in care of those in need. Results from this study will allow the national hepatitis programs to design public policies in order to diminish the impact of these infections on the population.Fil: Angeleri, Patricia. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Levite, Valeria. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Vidiella, Gabriela. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Solari, Joaquín. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Coronel, Emma. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Adaszko, Dan. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Adaszko, Ariel. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Cecilia. Programa Provincial de ETS y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Bouchet, Diosnel. Programa Provincial de Lucha Contra El Vih-sida y Ets; ArgentinaFil: Cuello, Héctor. Programa Provincial de Hepatitis Virales; ArgentinaFil: Molfese, Viviana. Programa Provincial de VIH sida, ITS y Hepatitis Virales; ArgentinaFil: Skarzauskas, Rosario. Programa Provincial de VIH sida, ITS y Hepatitis Virales; ArgentinaFil: Vila, Marcelo. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Falistocco, Carlos. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Pando, María de los Ángeles. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentin

Intelligence within BAOR and NATO's Northern Army Group

During the Cold War the UK's principal military role was its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) through the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), together with wartime command of NATO's Northern Army Group. The possibility of a surprise attack by the numerically superior Warsaw Pact forces ensured that great importance was attached to intelligence, warning and rapid mobilisation. As yet we know very little about the intelligence dimension of BAOR and its interface with NATO allies. This article attempts to address these neglected issues, ending with the impact of the 1973 Yom Kippur War upon NATO thinking about warning and surprise in the mid-1970s. It concludes that the arrangements made by Whitehall for support to BAOR from national assets during crisis or transition to war were - at best - improbable. Accordingly, over the years, BAOR developed its own unique assets in the realm of both intelligence collection and special operations in order to prepare for the possible outbreak of conflict

Reflections on Requirements and Contingencies for a NATO Deterrence or Reassurance Role in the Middle East; Strategic Insights, v. 8, issue 4 (September 2009)

This article appeared in Strategic Insights, v.8, issue 4(September 2009)Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Intelligence And Strategic Surprises

23 cm; 220 ha