Many skin diseases among schoolchildren in sub-Sahara Africa cause disturbing complaints like itch and pain and several of them are contagious.This high prevalence causes a major public health... Show moreMany skin diseases among schoolchildren in sub-Sahara Africa cause disturbing complaints like itch and pain and several of them are contagious.This high prevalence causes a major public health problem.Although in several countries and also in our studies skin diseases present in large numbers, they don't get the attention they deserve.A high percentage of visits to hospitals or other health institutions are caused by skin diseases.Most of them can easily be prevented and treated. The majority of skin diseases found in our study was caused by infections and inflammation together and can be grouped into fewer than eight categories. This is important in designing training programs for medical teams involved in the delivery of health care services in sub-Sahara African countries where a big part of the population is less than 15 years of age. Show less
In this dissertation we present the results of our research on Helicobacter pylori infections in childhood, focusing on the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of the infection. Our studies were... Show moreIn this dissertation we present the results of our research on Helicobacter pylori infections in childhood, focusing on the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of the infection. Our studies were conducted in the Netherlands, Europe and Indonesia. We discuss diagnostic tests, therapeutic regimens, resistance and preventive measurements. We highlight clinical and pathophysiological aspects of the infection and describe which particular strains are prevalent and how transmission occurs. Presently, there are no established correlations between a Helicobacter pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease or growth retardation. We present data on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in young infants in the Netherlands and observe that children with at least one non-Dutch parent form a risk group. We assess risk factors in a Europe-wide study on gastroduodenal erosions and ulcers in childhood. In our study, Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrotoxic medications were relatively little implicated as etiology of that pathology. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Indonesian young children is relatively high and points at an early acquisition of the infection. Finally, the resistance of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin and metronidazole was assessed for adults and children in the Netherlands. Low resistance rates were found, but the resistance in adults is increasing. We conclude that a test-and-treat regimen is justified for the Netherlands. Show less
