WHO Recent publications

Recent publications WHO-OMS Publications recentes Bulktin of the World Health Organization, 66 (4): 529-533 (1988) Emergencies and disasters Effects of nuclear war on health and health services Report of the WHO Management Group on Follow-up of Resolution WHA36.28: "The Role of Physicians and other Health Workers in the Preservation and Promotion of Peace" Second edition Geneva, 1987, vi + 179 pages ISBN 92 4 156109 2 Price: Sw.fr. 27.-/US$ 16.20 This is the second, revised edition of a scientific report documenting the devastation that would be caused by a nuclear war and the catastrophic effects it would have on health. The report, which incorporates the views of 14 leading medical and scientific experts, has been revised to include the results of several recent studies, including new work demonstrating climatic effects and new knowledge about the importance of conflagration and superfires. Revised estimates also reflect the development of sophisticated computer modelling techniques allowing more precise quantitative pre- dictions of short- and long-term human casualties and the extent of ecological ruin. More than 300 references to the medical, scientific, and military literature are included. By providing a scientific account of predictable events, the book serves to illustrate the main reasons why medical services would have little or nothing to offer injured survivors, and why the only realistic preparation for a nuclear war is to work for its prevention. Maternal, child and adolescent health The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy Report of a WHO Study Group Geneva, 1987, 114 pages (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 758). ISBN 92 4 120758 2 Price: Sw.fr. 16.-/US$ 9.60 The study group was convened to review avail- © World Health Organization 1988 able epidemiological and clinical data that can be used to improve the classification, diagnosis, and management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In view of the complexity of these disorders and the frequency of conflicting evi- dence reported in the literature, the book makes a special effort to clarify controversies and to replace confusion with clear guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. More than 350 studies were clinically evaluated. For gynaecologists and obstetricians, the book offers an improved understanding of clinical mani- festations and related pathophysiological mech- anisms and is an expert guide to diagnosis and treatment. For researchers, the book will help clarify methodological problems that have led to conflicting findings while also defining areas where further research is needed. Barrier contraceptives and spermicides: their role in family planning care Geneva, 1987, vii + 80 pages ISBN 92 4156101 7 Price: Sw.fr. 15.-/US$ 9.00 A highly pragmatic collection of facts and advice designed to encourage the most effective use of barrier contraceptives and spermicides in family planning programmes. In view of the importance of condoms as a means of preventing HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission, the book also features a section outlining basic facts about AIDS and suggesting ways that health workers can help stop spread of the disease by encouraging the correct use of condoms. The objective is to give counsellors and administrators of family planning services all the technical and practical information necessary to ensure that barrier contraceptives and spermicides are used, whether for the pre- vention of pregnancy or of sexually transmitted diseases, by the right people in the correct way. Any family planning manager, administrator, or counsellor familiar with the contents of this book will be in an excellent position to give advice or make programme decisions on the basis of solid and complete information. -529- 530 RECENT PUBLICATIONS Mental health Application of the international classification of diseases to neurology (ICD-NA) (Published for trial purposes) Geneva, 1987, 252 pages ISBN 92 4 154205 5 Price: Sw.fr. 39.-/US$ 23.40 This publication presents a detailed system for the classification and coding of data about mor- bidity from neurological disorders. The classifi- cation, which is an adaptation and expansion of the classifications and terminology used in the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9), was prepared for trial purposes and covers diseases and conditions that occur or have manifestations in the nervous system, or have associations with its function. The main part of the book consists of a tabular listing, with codes, of diseases and conditions rel- evant to neurological work and is presented under 17 chapters ranging from infectious and parasitic diseases affecting the nervous system to neuro- logical manifestations of injury and poisoning. The classification of mental disorders is supported by a glossary derived from the ICD-9, and defining the contents of the categories in that chapter. The book also includes a set of supplementary codes for the classification of external causes of injury and poisoning (E codes), and a specific system for coding the morphology of neoplasms (M codes). The book is provided with an alphabetical index of all items included in the classification. Entries in the index refer readers to the appropriate place in the classification where guidance on selecting the proper code can be obtained. Mental health services in pilot study areas Report on a European Study Copenhagen,1987, 578 pages ISBN 92 890 1046 0 Price: Sw.fr. 70.-/US$ 42.00 Many European countries have a long tradition of mental health care delivered through a variety of specialized institutions, but information on the subject is sketchy. A first review made in 1976a showed that reliable information was not readily available. Imprecise terminology and statistics a MAY, A. R. Mental health services in Europe. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1976 (WHO Offset Publication No. 23). made comparison between countries impossible. To close this gap, 21 pilot areas in 16 countries were studied in depth. The development of community mental health services today plays a major role in the provision of psychiatric care. Anti-psychiatric movements, changing economic conditions, and changing knowledge and opinions concerning the treatment of psychiatric patients have resulted in an overall trend away from institutionalization. It is therefore in the interest of health authorities to be given as clear a picture as possible of the present state of mental health services within the WHO European Region. The comprehensive picture provided of the dif- ferent types of mental health care will be particu- larly valuable to those responsible for planning for the future. The book shows the wide choice avail- able, and should encourage health workers and administrators at both local and national levels to establish reliable information systems or to improve those that already exist. Oral health Oral health surveys: basic methods Third edition Geneva, 1987, 53 pages ISBN 92 4 154216 0 Price: Sw.fr. 14.-/US$ 8.40 This is the third edition of a manual describing basic methods for conducting oral health surveys. Designed to assist epidemiological surveyors and planners of dental health services, the book pre- sents standardized methodologies for collecting and reporting data on oral diseases and for estimat- ing future demands on oral health care services. Chapters advocate the use of a practical and eco- nomic sample design approach supported by a description of disease criteria that can be readily understood and applied in all countries. Recom- mended survey methods, which have been used by over 100 health administrations throughout the world, have proved their capacity to yield reliable, useful, and internationally comparable data on oral health status and treatment needs. This manual also features full details on the use of standard sur- vey forms, which were developed by WHO and are backed by a computer data-processing service available to all those using the forms and the recommended methodologies to conduct oral health surveys. PUBLICATIONS RECENTES 531 Prevention of oral diseases Geneva, 1987, v + 83 pages (WHO Offset Publication No. 103). ISBN 92 4 170103 X Price: Sw.fr. 14.-/US$ 8.40 This publication provides a practical and com- prehensive guide to the planning and implemen- tation of programmes designed to prevent oral disease. Concerned with preventive measures that are cost-effective as well as successful, the book concentrates on only those programmes that are relevant to sizeable community problems and for which demonstrable improvements can be attained. Recommended measures, all of which have been substantiated by research demonstrat- ing their effectiveness, are presented together with advice on their most appropriate use in a variety of different social and economic settings. Though a number of different oral diseases are considered, major emphasis is placed on methods for the pri- mary prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Concise yet comprehensive, this book will help alert health planners and administrators to the many factors that can influence the success of pro- grammes to prevent oral diseases. Pharmaceuticals, biologicals WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization Thirty-seventh report Geneva, 1987, 203 pages (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 760). ISBN 92 4 120760 4 Price: Sw.fr. 28.-/US$ 16.80 Preparations pharmaceutiques, produits biologiques Comite OMS d'Experts de la Standardisation biologique Trente-septieme rapport Geneve, 1987, 218 pages (OMS, Serie de Rapports techniques, NO 760). ISBN 92 4 220760 8 Prix: Fr.s 28.- Ce rapport presente les travaux et les recom- mandations d'un comite d'experts charge de l'etablissement et du maintien de normes et de reactifs de reference internationaux pour les vac- This report presents the work and recommen- dations of an expert committee concerned with establishing and maintaining international stan- dards and reference reagents for vaccines and other biologicals.b The report has two main parts. The first announces changes in the status or development of international standards for 35 bio- logicals classified as antibiotics, antibodies, anti- gens, blood products and related substances, endocrinological and related substances, and a miscellaneous group of substances. Information includes the establishment of new international reference preparations and the recommended dis- continuation of others, the need for replacement materials, and the need for new reference ma- terials required for the development or testing of new biologicals. The second and most extensive part provides detailed information on guidelines for establishing standards, on principles for evaluating the acceptability of vaccines proposed to United Nations agencies for use in immunization programmes, and on requirements for the manu- facturing, testing, and quality control of selected vaccines. These include hepatitis B vaccines made by recombinant DNA techniques in yeast, live mumps vaccine, and inactivated rabies vaccine produced in continuous cell lines. Of particular practical interest is an extensive report on a WHO meeting concerned with the use of recombinant DNA techniques to produce hepatitis B vaccines. The report also includes amendments to previous requirements for oral poliomyelitis vaccine and for diphtheria toxoid, pertussis vaccine, tetanus toxoid, and combined vaccines. b The thirty-sixth report of the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 745) was reviewed in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 65 (4): 566 (1987). cins et les autres produits biologiques.c 11 com- prend deux parties principales. La premiere an- nonce des changements dans la situation ou la mise au point de normes internationales pour 35 substances biologiques classees comme faisant partie des antibiotiques, des anticorps, des antigenes, des produits sanguins et substances apparentees, des substances endocriniennes et apparentees et d'un groupe de substances diverses. Des informations sont notamment don- nees sur l'etablissement de nouvelles preparations c Le trente-sixieme rapport du Comit6 OMS d'Experts de la Standardisation biologique (OMS, S6rie de Rapports techniques, NO 745) a et6 analys6 dans le Bulletin de l'Organisation mondiale de la Sant6, 65 (5): 766-767 (1987). PUBLICATIONS RtCENTES internationales de ref6rence et sur la suppression recommandee d'autres substances, sur la neces- site de trouver des materiaux de remplacement ainsi que de nouveaux materiaux de ref6rence necessaires pour la mise au point ou l'experimen- tation de nouvelles substances biologiques. La deuxieme partie, qui est aussi la plus longue, donne des informations d6taillees sur les directives ap- plicables a l'etablissement d'etalons, la maniere d'evaluer l'acceptabilite des vaccins proposes aux organisations du systeme des Nations Unies pour leurs programmes de vaccination et les regles a respecter dans la fabrication, 1'exp6rimentation et le controle de la qualit6 de certains vaccins, parmi lesquels les vaccins anti-h6patite B produits sur levures par des techniques de genie genetique, le vaccin anti-ourlien vivant et le vaccin antirabique inactiv6 produit en lign6es cellulaires continues. La production de vaccins anti-hepatite B par des techniques de g6nie g6n6tique, qui a fait l'objet d'une r6union de l'OMS, est, par ailleurs, etudiee ici dans un rapport d6taille d'un grand interet pratique, qui indique egalement les modifications apport6es aux normes ant6rieures concernant le vaccin antipoliomy6litique buccal, ainsi que I'ana- toxine dipht6rique, le vaccin anticoquelucheux, I'anatoxine tetanique et les vaccins associes. Sante maternelle et infantile et sante des adolescents Les troubles tensionnels de la grossesse Rapport d'un Groupe d'Etude de I'OMS Gen6ve, 1987,122 pages (OMS, S6rie de Rapports techniques, NO 758). ISBN 92 4 220758 6 Prix: Fr.s. 16.- Ce rapport presente Ie'tude faite par un groupe d'experts de toutes les donnees epidemiologiques et cliniques disponibles qui peuvent etre utilisees pour ameliorer la classification, le diagnostic et la prise en charge des troubles tensionnels de la gros- sesse. En raison de la complexite de ces troubles et de la presence frequente d'observations contra- dictoires dans la litterature, le rapport s'efforce de clarifier les points controvers6s et de formuler des recommandations claires concernant le diagnostic et le traitement. A cette fin, le groupe d'experts a procede a 'analyse critique de plus de 350 etudes. Ce rapport sera utile aux gynecologues et aux obstetriciens a qui il permettra de mieux com- prendre les manifestations cliniques et les meca- nismes physiopathologiques des troubles tension- nels de la grossesse et servira de guide pour le diagnostic et le traitement. 11 sera egalement utile aux chercheurs car il contribuera a clarifier les problemes methodologiques qui ont mene a des resultats contradictoires, tout en definissant les domaines dans lesquels la poursuite des recherches est necessaire. Contraception mecanique et spermicides: leur role en planification familiale Genbve, 1987, vii + 76 pages ISBN 92 4 256101 0 Prix: Fr.s. 15.- Ce recueil tres concret d'informations et de con- seils vise a favoriser une utilisation plus efficace des methodes mecaniques de contraception et des spermicides dans les programmes de planification familiale. Etant donn6 l'importance des preser- vatifs pour la prevention de la transmission du VIH (virus de l'immunodeficience humaine), l'ouvrage comporte une section o'u figurent des donnees de base sur le SIDA et expliquant comment les agents de sante peuvent contribuer a enrayer la propa- gation de la maladie en encourageant l'utilisation correcte des preservatifs. L'objectif de l'ouvrage est de donner aux conseillers et aux administra- teurs des services de planification familiale toutes les donnees techniques et pratiques necessaires pour faire en sorte que ces m6thodes de contra- ception tres efficaces soient utilisees correctement et a bon escient, que ce soit pour eviter une gros- sesse ou pour prevenir les maladies sexuellement transmissibles. La lecture de cet ouvrage sera utile aux cadres, aux administrateurs et aux conseillers en plani- fication familiale, dont les conseils et les decisions reposeront sur des connaissances solides et completes. Toxicologie des substances chimiques, cancerogenicite Evaluation de certains additifs alimentaires et contaminants Trente et unibme rapport du Comit mixte FAO/OMS d'Experts des Additifs alimentaires Geneve, 1987, 56 pages (OMS, S6rie de Rapports techniques, NO 759). ISBN 92 4 220759 4 Prix: Fr.s 9.- Ce rapport contient les conclusions et recom- mandations d'un comite mixte FAO/OMS d'ex- perts charge de preparer des normes d'identite et de purete pour certains additifs alimentaires et contaminants et de proceder a leur evaluation 532 PUBLICATIONS RECENTES 533 toxicologique.d Le chapitre principal contient un resume des donnees chimiques, biologiques et toxicologiques disponibles sur un certain nombre d'additifs alimentaires et de contaminants que le comite evaluait pour la premiere fois ou reevaluait. 11 s'agit notamment de substances entrant dans la categorie generale des preparations enzymatiques, des aromatisants, des colorants alimentaires, de diff6rents additifs alimentaires et des aflatoxines. Le lecteur est egalement informe des revisions apportees aux normes existantes ou de l'etablisse- ment de nouvelles normes. Le rapport contient en annexe trois chapitres supplementaires, com- prenant une bibliographie des rapports et autres documents issus des reunions du comite mixte, un tableau faisant apparaltre les doses journalieres admissibles et les normes 6tablies pour les com- poses examines par le comite, ainsi qu'une liste des nouvelles recherches et donnees toxicolo- giques n6cessaires ou souhaitables pour certaines substances. Styrenee Geneve, 1987,132 pages (Criteres d'Hygiene de l'Environnement, NO 26). ISBN 92 4 254086 2 Prix: Fr.s. 12.- Le styrene est un produit chimique important qui sert a fabriquer du polystyrene, des copolymeres de styrene et des plastiques renforces. Ce rapport fait une revue exhaustive des sources d'exposition au styrene, de ses utilisations, ainsi que de son metabolisme et de ses effets toxiques sur l'homme et les animaux. D'autres sections passent en revue et evaluent les nombreuses donnees provenant de l'experimentation animale, d'etudes controlees sur l'homme et d'enquetes epidemiologiques sur les effets enregistres apres exposition au styrene. On s'est particulierement attache aux industries qui exigent la production de styrene, a la fabrication de polybutadiene-styrene et a la construction de bateaux a coque plastique. Une abondante bibliographie est publiee a la fin du rapport. Mirexe Geneve, 1987, 77 pages (Criteres d'Hygiene de l'Environnement, NO 44). ISBN 92 4 254184 2 Prix: Fr.s. 9.- d Le trentieme rapport du Comit6 mixte FAO/OMS d'Experts des Additifs alimentaires (OMS, S6rie de Rapports techniques, NO 751) a ete analys6 dans le Bulletin de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santd, 65 (5): 763-764 (1987). ' Publi6 par l'OMS sous la triple 6gide du Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement, de l'Organisation inter- nationale du Travail et de l'OMS (Programme intemational sur la Securite des Substances chimiques- IPCS). Ce rapport evalue les effets que peut avoir sur la sante humaine et sur l'environnement le mirex, qui est un produit chimique essentiellement utilise pour retarder la combustion, et comme insecti- cide contre les fourmis notamment. En raison de son extreme stabilite, on s'est particulierement preoccupe de ses effets sur l'environnement et sur les risques potentiels associes a sa presence dans la chaine alimentaire. Le rapport estime, sur la base des donnees disponibles, que le mirex doit etre considere en pratique comme un cancerogene potentiel pour l'homme; il conclut en outre que ce produit presente a long terme un risque pour l'en- vironnement et qu'il faut en decourager l'utilisation a des fins agricoles ou autres. Urgences et catastrophes Effets de la guerre nucleaire sur la sante et les services de sante Rapport du Groupe de Gestion de l'OMS sur la R6alisation de la Resolution WHA36.28: "Le R61oe des M6decins et autres Personnels de Sant6 dans la Preservation et la Promotion de la Paix" Deuxieme edition Genbve, 1987, vi + 191 pages ISBN 92 4 256109 6 Prix: Fr.s. 27.- Ceci est la deuxieme edition, revisee, d'un rapport scientifique sur les devastations que causerait une guerre nucleaire et les effets catastrophiques qu'elle aurait sur la sante. Le rapport, qui r6sume les vues de 14 eminents spe- cialistes scientifiques et medicaux, a ete revise de maniere a tenir compte des resultats de plusieurs etudes recentes, notamment de nouvelles don- nees relatives aux effets de la guerre nucleaire sur le climat et a l'importance de la conflagration et des incendies geants. 11 a ete possible, grace 3 des techniques de mod6lisation sur ordinateurs, de proc'der a une estimation plus precise du nombre des victimes immediates et a long terme et de l'etendue de la catastrophe ecologique. Le rapport se refere a plus de 300 ouvrages medicaux, scienti- fiques et militaires. Par cet expose scientifique des evenements qu'il est possible de prevoir, le rapport montre pourquoi les services medicaux ne pourraient rien faire ou presque pour les survivants et pourquoi la seule preparation realiste en la matiere consiste a tout mettre en oeuvre pour eviter la survenue d'un tel conflit.