The utility of available antimicrobials for treating bacterial diarrhea in rural western Kenya is substantially limited by reduced susceptibility. More judicious use of appropriate antimicrobials is warranted. Efforts to prevent illness through provision of clean water, improved hygiene, and vaccine development should be strengthened.

Abstract. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest reported cholera incidence and mortality rates in the world.

Abstract. We conducted laboratory-based surveillance and a case-control study to characterize the epidemiology of bloody diarrhea in rural Western Kenya. From

Bacterial diarrheal diseases cause substantial morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but data on the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of enteric bacterial pathogens are limited. Between May 1997 and April 1998, a clinic-based surveillance for diarrheal disease was conducted in Asembo, a rural area in western Kenya. In total, 729 diarrheal specimens were collected, and 244 (33%) yielded >or=1 bacterial pathogen, as determined by standard culture techniques; 107 (44%) Shigella isolates, 73 (30%) Campylobacter isolates, 45 (18%) Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates, and 33 (14%) Salmonella isolates were identified. Shigella dysenteriae type 1 accounted for 22 (21%) of the Shigella isolates. Among 112 patients empirically treated with an antimicrobial agent and whose stool specimens yielded isolates on which resistance testing was done, 57 (51%) had isolates that were not susceptible to their antimicrobial treatment. Empiric treatment strategies for diarrheal disease in western Kenya need to be reevaluated, to improve clinical care.

Background:There are significant gaps in the scientific literature concerning female sexual behavior and attitudes surrounding sexuality, which have definitive implications on public health and clinical work.Aim:To study the sexual behavior of young married Indian women.Materials and Methods:The study group comprised 100 consecutive women attending the Department of Pediatrics for the care of noncritical children in a multispecialty, tertiary care teaching hospital setting in North India. Current levels of sexual functioning and satisfaction were assessed by using the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W). All participants were also administered a translated and culturally adapted instrument called Sex Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire-II (SKAQ-II).Results:Peno-vaginal sex continues to be considered the most desired and actually performed sexual activity for arousal and orgasm, followed by kissing and foreplay. Difficulties while performing sexual activity, in the form of physical problems, were faced by 17% of the participants. The participants displayed adequate sexual knowledge and favorable attitude towards sexuality as measured by SKAQ-II.Conclusion:The present study is a preliminary effort to understand the contemporary female sexual behavior, knowledge and attitude by employing standard instruments. Still further studies are required in this area.