The terms used to describe the HIV epidemic, to research its origin and aetiology, and to quantify its magnitude have varied over time. They influence how we perceive the disease, its impact on society, and its control. The terms "risk groups" and, more recently, "risk behaviours" have been used in developing research and intervention strategies. Both terms have limitations: "risk groups" may b...

In the tropics malaria is a major killer, especially of young children in areas of intense transmission of Plasmodium fakiparum: there may be a million or more such deaths in Africa every year.' In parts of the world with no transmission of malaria (fig 1) returning travellers and visitors, infected elsewhere, continue to develop the illness. Twelve patients died of malaria in Britain in 1991; ...

One of the few examples of explicit rationing in the National Health Service is provided by in vitro fertilisation. Ofsix purchasing authorities examined three have decided against buying in vitro fertilisation while three have decided in favour. The decisions reflect local factors such as the absence or presence of local providers and the views of the public and health professionals. But in vi...

Embryo donation is now an acceptable practice which offers new possibilities to many infertile couples wishing to procreate. In France, embryo donation, like gamete donation, is controlled by law, but its application has been poorly developed because too many questions remained unsolved and because of the lack of practical guidelines. Here we report the results of the debate which took place wi...

Objective-To compare the first admission rates for schizophrenia in England and France, and to compare the concept of schizophrenia held by practising British and French psychiatrists. Design-Comparative study of incidence rates in England and France; and postal questionnaire survey of a sample of about 1 in 30 psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and in l'Aquitaine, France. Subjects-All first a...

Although most urinary tract infections in adults are uncomplicated and respond rapidly to empirical antimicrobial therapy, they represent a considerable health problem, particularly among women, in whom the annual general practice consultation rate for cystitis and urinary infection has been estimated as 62-5/1000.' Occasionally, urinary tract infections cause serious and permanent renal damage...

The term cytoplasmic droplets is used to mean two different structures by basic scientists and clinicians. The literature on the presence, position and loss of cytoplasmic droplets and their relationship to infertility in animal species is reviewed. It is proposed that a change in terminology is required: ‘cytoplasmic droplet’ should be used to describe normal droplets associated with functiona...

Quality of life has become a major issue for the 1990s, not only because of its social impact on the individual and society but also because of its political implications. Urinary incontinence is one of the medical conditions which severely adversely affect quality of life, and yet in the United Kingdom little attention has been focused on this problem. In the United States, however, the Nation...