Lack of quality data on behavioural trends impedes the interpretation of prevalence and incidence data in Ethiopia. Modelled data suggest an expanding HIV epidemic in rural and all Ethiopia, but a possible decline in some urban areas. Crude site prevalence values may be more sensitive to acute changes, possibly indicating a slowing/reversal of the epidemic's expansion.

Background: Rapid blood glucose estimation is required to prescribe treatments and to make dose adjustments in diabetic patients. However, measuring plasma glucose levels is time consuming. Therefore, the use of glucometers has greatly increased. Objectives: To measure the correlation between capillary and venous blood glucose levels. Methods: Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were enrolled in the present study and informed written consent was obtained from all participants. Demographic characteristics and clinical information was noted. Capillary and venous glucose levels were determined. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Mean age of patients was 52 ± 12 years. It included 29% men; 71% women; 9% smokers; and 90% poor. Mean venous glucose was 11.73 ± 4.64 mmol/L and mean capillary glucose 12.57 ± 5.21 mmol/L. These findings demonstrated a significant intermethod mean difference of 0.84 mmol/L (P < 0.001). Inter-glucose difference was not significant at glucose levels near normal. However, it increased gradually with rise in glucose measurements and was significant at elevated glucose levels. Both concordance correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated positive correlation and more consistency between glucose estimations. A Bland and Altman plot presented excellent agreement between glucometrically and photometrically determined glucose levels. Conclusion: A positive correlation coefficient showed strong association between capillary and venous glucose measurements.

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Background: Diabetic retinopathy is the optical complication that may leadto impaired vision. It is one of the most prevalent but preventable blinding disease. Its earlydiagnosis is prerequisite for the prevention of the visual loss and blindness associated withdiabetic complication. Objective: To estimate frequency of eye examination and various typesof retinopathy; and to find the association between diabetic retinopathy and its risk factors.Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted from Apr-Sep 2012 by PMRC ResearchCentre, FJMC, Lahore. Using non probability convenient sampling, eighty known type IIdiabetics were recruited. Venous blood was drawn for plasma glucose level (GOD-PAP) andglycosylated hemoglobin (Ion-Exchange Resin). Arterial blood pressure was measured usingdigital apparatus (Oscillometric method). Visual acuity was tested by Snellen’s chart and dilatedfundus examination was done to screen diabetic retinopathy. Data was analyzed using StatisticalPackage for Social Sciences (SPSS-20). Results: The study included 41% males and 59%females. Mean age was 51±9 (33-67) years. Diabetics who never screened for retinopathy were54.3%; and who examined during last year as per IDF guidelines were 25.7%. The frequencyof bilateral and unilateral NPDR was 22.5% and 5%, respectively. The occurrence of NPDR wasslightly higher in left eye, whereas PDR was more prevalent in right eye. The visual acuity wasequal or better than 6/12 in better eye of 80% study participants; and was 6/18-6/36 in better eyeof 20% participants. DR was significantly associated with longer duration of diabetes (p-0.010),poorly controlled diabetes (p-0.044) and hypertension (p-0.006). Odd ratios (95% CI) showedthat duration of diabetes ≥20 years, glycosylated hemoglobin ≥7.5 %, Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm/Hg and diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm/Hg had 3-5 times higher risk of retinopathy. Conclusion:Majority of patients were neither knew nor referred for eye examination. Strict control of diabetesand hypertension may prevent or delay diabetic retinopathy. Policy Message: Annual eyeexamination must be prescribed by the physician/ diabetologist. An education and awarenessprogram for diabetics and community based survey is highly recommended.