A Tariq

Publications of A Tariq

• Audit on the success of partner notification for sexually transmitted infections in the West Midlands.

  Authors: K Manavi, S Bhaduri, A Tariq

  International journal of STD & AIDS. 01/2009; 19(12):856-858.

  The aim of this study is to investigate the success of partner notification (PN) among 13 genitourinary medicine centres in West Midlands. The West Midlands Audit Group conducted a regional auditThe aim of this study is to investigate the success of partner notification (PN) among 13 genitourinary medicine centres in West Midlands. The West Midlands Audit Group conducted a regional audit between June and August 2007. Information on screening and management of patients with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, early syphilis and HIV were collected separately. Participating centres were asked to provide PN details for 10 index patients with each of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, early syphilis and HIV infections. For each index patient with chlamydia or gonorrhoea, 0.54 and 0.44 partners were screened, respectively. Among partners of patients with syphilis and HIV, 24% and 35% were screened, respectively. Only 9% of 311 screened partners were involved in casual partnerships with index patients. Acquisition of more robust targets for PN, better documentation, improved communication between genitourinary (GU) medicine centres, and provider referral may improve the performance of PN for Sexually transmitted infections.

• An audit on the management of pelvic inflammatory disease in the West Midlands, UK.

  Authors: M Walzman, A Tariq, S Bhaduri, J D C Ross

  International journal of STD & AIDS. 11/2007; 18(10):717-9.

  The potential complications of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) make optimizing its management a high priority. A clinical audit of PID against current national management guidelines was conductedThe potential complications of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) make optimizing its management a high priority. A clinical audit of PID against current national management guidelines was conducted in 14 departments of genitourinary medicine in the West Midlands for women presenting with PID between January and December 2005. There were a total of 810 diagnoses of PID made from a total of 49,390 female attendees for that year, giving an incidence of 164 cases per 10,000 attendees. Of these 810 cases, data collection and analysis for this audit were performed on 139. An ofloxacin 400 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) based regimen was prescribed in 91 (65%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 57-73%) cases. Doxycycline 100 mg b. i. d. for 14 days plus metronidazole 400 mg b. i. d. for 5-14 days was prescribed in 44 (32%, 95% CI 25-40%) cases, but a third-generation cephalosporin was only given with this regimen in three cases. Partner notification was performed in 101 (73%, 95% CI 65-79%) cases. A total of 130 male contacts were recorded on the data collection forms, and of these 58 (45%) were traced and 51 (39%), treated. A follow-up appointment was given to 133 (96%, 95% CI 91-98%) women, although in most cases this was for seven days or more, and 104 (78%, 95% CI 67-81%) women attended for follow-up. Adherence to the national guidelines in this cohort of patients did not reach the national standard for choice of treatment regimen nor did it attain the target for proportion of male partners traced. Barriers preventing adherence to the national guidelines need to be explored and appropriate assistance given to physicians to help meet national standards of care.

• Reducing the risk of gonorrhoea in black Caribbean men: can we identify risk factors?

  Authors: J D C Ross, A Tariq, M Ghanem, G Gilleran

  Sexually transmitted infections. 05/2003; 79(2):119-23.

  OBJECTIVES: Grouping patients by self assigned ethnicity may hide intraethnic differences in disease associations and sexual behaviour patterns. The aim of the study was to detect associationsOBJECTIVES: Grouping patients by self assigned ethnicity may hide intraethnic differences in disease associations and sexual behaviour patterns. The aim of the study was to detect associations between gonorrhoea with differences in ancestry, degree of acculturation, and religious belief in young black Caribbean men, which could subsequently be used to target health promotion interventions. METHODS: A questionnaire based case-control study of black Caribbean men with gonorrhoea and a community control group without gonorrhoea. RESULTS: A lesser degree of acculturation, attending a single sex school, increasing numbers of partners, lack of condom use, not being married, and a belief that sex before marriage was not wrong were associated with an increased risk of gonorrhoea. Country of birth and religious belief were not associated with gonorrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: A number of factors were identified which may be useful in designing healthcare interventions in young black Caribbean men and these differed little from those in other ethnic groups. The healthcare intervention should include advice on reducing the number of partners and increasing the use of condoms.

• Audit of official STD returns from genitourinary medicine.

  Authors: A Tariq, M Huengsberg, A Cook, J D C Ross

  International journal of STD & AIDS. 11/2002; 13(10):720-1.

  We audited the accuracy of KC 60 coding in our department over a two-week period in 1999. Case notes of 400 consecutive new and rebook patients who attended during each of the audit periods wereWe audited the accuracy of KC 60 coding in our department over a two-week period in 1999. Case notes of 400 consecutive new and rebook patients who attended during each of the audit periods were reviewed, and their clinical diagnosis was compared with KC 60 returns entered into the computer and sent to the Department of Health. We concentrated on four KC 60 diagnoses of positive sexually transmitted infections: uncomplicated gonorrhoea (B1) and chlamydia (c4a), first episodes of anogenital warts (C 11 a) and herpes (C 10 a). At the end of the audit, specific recommendations were introduced, aiming at improving accuracy of KC 60 coding, and a re-audit was carried out in 2000, using identical methodology. In the first audit period there were 106 positive diagnoses, of which 41 (38.7%) were not recorded in the KC 60 returns. In the second audit period there were 149 positive diagnoses, of which 20 (13%) were not recorded, showing a significant improvement (Chi square P = 0.0005).

• Seroprevalence of hepatitis A immunity in male genitourinary medicine clinic attenders: a case control study of heterosexual and homosexual men.

  Authors: J D C Ross, M Ghanem, A Tariq, G Gilleran, A J Winter

  Sexually transmitted infections. 07/2002; 78(3):174-9.

  OBJECTIVES: To compare the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men to determine their susceptibility to infection and provide guidance for a policy on vaccination. METHODS: AOBJECTIVES: To compare the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men to determine their susceptibility to infection and provide guidance for a policy on vaccination. METHODS: A case-control study design was utilised to compare the risk factors associated with hepatitis A in homosexual and heterosexual men attending a city centre genitourinary medicine clinic. Demographic and sexual behavioural characteristics were included in univariate and multivariate models. RESULTS: The overall seropositivity rate was 29% with no significant difference between homosexual and heterosexual men. Ethnicity and age were strongly associated with hepatitis A seropositivity in both homosexuals and heterosexuals. A history of sex in a sauna in homosexual men, and being born outside the United Kingdom for heterosexual men, was associated with hepatitis A seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted hepatitis A screening and vaccination of homosexual men attending UK genitourinary medicine clinics is not supported by the results of this study.

• Viral sexually transmitted infections: current management strategies.

  Authors: A Tariq, J D Ross

  Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 01/2000; 24(6):409-14.

  Viral sexually transmitted infections are a major health problem associated with considerable morbidity. This article reviews the current strategies used in the management of infections such asViral sexually transmitted infections are a major health problem associated with considerable morbidity. This article reviews the current strategies used in the management of infections such as genital warts, genital herpes and molluscum contagiosum. Pros and cons of different treatment regimens have been discussed with an emphasis on a selective approach to therapy. The importance of education, counselling and follow-up is highlighted and issues relating to the associated psychosexual morbidity have been addressed. Treatment of these infections in pregnancy and HIV has also been described.

• Bacterial sexually transmitted infections: current management strategies.

  Authors: A Tariq, J D Ross

  Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 03/1999; 24(1):53-6.