Transmission of blood-borne pathogens during sports: risk and prevention

Article Abstract:

Athletes may be most likely to acquire blood-borne diseases while participating in non-sports-related activities. As of 1995, there have been no documented cases of sports-related HIV infection or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the U.S. The risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases during contact sports is extremely low. Unprotected sex and the sharing of injection-related equipment present far greater hazards for disease transmission. Athletes must be educated about the risks associated with such behavior. All skin wounds and lesions in athletes require prompt treatment and should be secured with bandages during sports activities to prevent disease transmission. Athletes with risk factors for blood-borne infections should receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Routine HIV or HBV screening of athletes is not necessary and infected athletes should not be automatically barred from sports participation.

Sports, Athletes, Blood-borne diseases, Bloodborne diseases

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Health care and public health in the former Soviet Union, 1992: Ukraine - a case study

Article Abstract:

The health care system of Ukraine is well organized and capable of meeting the needs of its large population. The Ukrainian Republic is one of the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union. An expert medical working group visited Ukraine to evaluate its health care needs in early 1992. The health care system of Ukraine is centralized, and physicians manage all health care facilities and services. Most physicians believe that the system needs some type of fundamental change. This change may involve some type of privatization of the health care services. Most health care services have an adequate number of staff members, but training of health care professionals may need to be improved. The 1986 disaster at Chernobyl has increased the burden on the health care system of Ukraine. One of the main concerns is a higher incidence of thyroid cancer as a result of exposure to radiation.

Medical care, Social policy, Ukraine

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Bleeding injuries in professional football: estimating the risk for HIV transmission

Article Abstract:

Professional football players appear to have a very small risk of transmitting HIV infection through bleeding injuries sustained during football games. Between September and December 1992, researchers observed and recorded bleeding injuries among players on 11 professional football teams during 155 games. Investigators used these data to estimate the probability of HIV transmission. A total of 538 players sustained 575 bleeding injuries. An average of 3.5 players per team sustained a bleeding injury each game. Approximately 88% of bleeding injuries were abrasions and 12.5% were lacerations. Bleeding injuries were most likely to occur during games played on artificial surfaces. A player's risk of HIV infection was estimated at less than one infection per 85 million player-to-player contacts.

HIV infection, HIV infections, Football, Football players

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