scholarly journals Reducing the burden of sexually transmissible infections in Papua New Guinea requires strengthening of clinical services and engaging men

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 401
Author(s):  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Cathy Vaughan ◽  
Andrew Lau ◽  
Dorothy A. Machalek ◽  
Simon Graham
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Antenatal Visit ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Engaging Men

In this edition of Sexual Health, Vallely et al. report the results of a cross-sectional prevalence survey of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among women attending their first antenatal visit in three provinces of Papua New Guinea (PNG). This Editorial examines potential reasons for these high prevalence estimates and discusses strategies for addressing high STIs rates in PNG.

Prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and other sexually transmissible infections among women attending antenatal clinics in three provinces in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional survey

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Vallely ◽  
Pamela Toliman ◽  
Claire Ryan ◽  
Glennis Rai ◽  
Johanna Wapling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Background Papua New Guinea (PNG) is estimated to have among the highest prevalences of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) of any Asia-Pacific country, and one of the highest burdens of maternal syphilis globally. The prevalence of curable STIs, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), among pregnant women in PNG is relatively unknown. Methods: A cross-sectional bio-behavioural survey to investigate the epidemiology of CT, NG, TV and other STIs among pregnant women in three provinces of PNG was undertaken. Women aged 18–35 years attending their first antenatal clinic visit were invited to participate. Participants completed a short interview and provided self-collected vaginal specimens for CT, NG and TV laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests and a venepuncture specimen for laboratory testing for syphilis and Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) serology. Routine antenatal assessment was conducted according to national guidelines, including HIV counselling and testing and point-of-care syphilis screening. Results: A total of 765 women were enrolled. Overall, 43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 39.2–46.4) had one or more of CT, NG or TV infection. CT was the most prevalent STI (22.9%, 175/765; 95% CI: 19.9–25.9), followed by TV (22.4%, 171/765; 95% CI: 19.4–25.4), and NG (14.2%, 109/765; 95% CI: 11.7–16.7). The prevalence of active syphilis was 2.2% (17/765; 95% CI: 1.2–3.3), HSV-2 was 28.0% (214/765; 95% CI: 24.8–31.2) and HIV, 0.8% (6/765; 95% CI: 0.2–1.4). Prevalences were highest among primigravid women, women aged <25 years, and among those in Central Province. Conclusion: High prevalences of curable genital STIs were observed among women attending routine antenatal clinic services in PNG. These infections have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and could be important contributors to poor maternal and neonatal health in this setting.

scholarly journals Increase in the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum with kelch13 C580Y mutation and decline in pfcrt and pfmdr1 mutant alleles in Papua New Guinea

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Yoshida ◽  
Masato Yamauchi ◽  
Ryosuke Morikawa ◽  
Francis Hombhanje ◽  
Toshihiro Mita
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Nationwide Surveillance ◽  
Greater Mekong Subregion ◽  
C580y Mutation

Abstract Background The C580Y mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 gene is the most commonly observed variant in artemisinin-resistant isolates in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Until 2017, it had not been identified outside the GMS, except for Guyana/Amazonia. In 2017, three parasites carrying the C580Y mutation were identified in Papua New Guinea (PNG). As the C580Y allele rapidly spread in the GMS, there is concern that this mutant is now spreading in PNG. Methods In 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at two clinics in Wewak, PNG. Symptomatic patients infected with P. falciparum were treated with artemether plus lumefantrine following a national treatment policy. Blood samples were obtained before treatment, and polymorphisms in kelch13, pfcrt, and pfmdr1 were determined. Parasite positivity was examined on day 3. The results were compared with those of previous studies conducted in 2002, 2003, and 2016–2018. Results A total of 94 patients were included in this analysis. The proportion of C580Y was significantly increased (2.2% in 2017, 5.7% in 2018, and 6.4% in 2020; p = 4.2 × 10–3). A significant upward trend was observed in the wild-type proportion for pfcrt (1.9% in 2016 to 46.7% in 2020; p = 8.9 × 10–16) and pfmdr1 (59.5% in 2016 to 91.4% in 2020; p = 2.3 × 10–6). Among 27 patients successfully followed on day 3, including three with C580Y infections, none showed positive parasitaemia. Conclusions Under the conditions of significant increases in pfcrt K76 and pfmdr1 N86 alleles in PNG, the increase in kelch13 C580Y mutants may be a warning indicator of the emergence of parasites resistant to the currently used first-line treatment regimen of artemether plus lumefantrine. Therefore, nationwide surveillance of molecular markers for drug resistance and assessment of its therapeutic effects are important.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness in Papua New Guinea: a nationwide survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Lee ◽  
Fabrizio D'Esposito ◽  
Jambi Garap ◽  
Geoffrey Wabulembo ◽  
Samuel Peter Koim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Capital ◽  
Uncorrected Refractive Error

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence and main causes of blindness and vision impairment in people aged 50 years and older in Papua New Guinea (PNG).DesignNational cross-sectional population-based survey in National Capital District (NCD), Highlands, Coastal and Islands regions.MethodsAdults aged 50 years and above were recruited from 100 randomly selected clusters. Each participant underwent monocular presenting and pinhole visual acuity (VA) assessment and lens examination. Those with pinhole VA<6/12 in either eye had a dilated fundus examination to determine the primary cause of reduced vision. Those with obvious lens opacity were interviewed on barriers to cataract surgery.ResultsA total of 4818 adults were examined. The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness (VA <3/60), severe vision impairment (SVI, VA <6/60 but ≥3/60), moderate vision impairment (MVI, VA <6/18 but ≥6/60) and early vision impairment (EVI, VA <6/12 but ≥6/18) was 5.6% (95% CI 4.9% to 6.3%), 2.9% (95% CI 2.5% to 3.4%), 10.9% (95% CI 9.9% to 11.9%) and 7.3% (95% CI 6.6% to 8.0%), respectively. The main cause of blindness, SVI and MVI was cataract, while uncorrected refractive error was the main cause of EVI. A significantly higher prevalence of blindness, SVI and MVI occurred in the Highlands compared with NCD. Across all regions, women had lower cataract surgical coverage and spectacle coverage than men.ConclusionsPNG has one of the highest reported prevalence of blindness globally. Cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the main causes, suggesting a need for increased accessible services with improved resources and advocacy for enhancing eye health literacy.

scholarly journals Strengthening routine immunization in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional provincial assessment of front-line services

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Morgan ◽  
Olga P. M. Saweri ◽  
Nicholas Larme ◽  
Elizabeth Peach ◽  
Pele Melepia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Tobacco Usage in Uttarakhand: A Dangerous Combination of High Prevalence, Widespread Ignorance, and Resistance to Quitting

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan John Grills ◽  
Rajesh Singh ◽  
Rajkumari Singh ◽  
Bradley C. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
Tobacco Usage ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background. Nearly one-third of adults in India use tobacco, resulting in 1.2 million deaths. However, little is known about knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to smoking in the impoverished state of Uttarakhand.Methods. A cross-sectional epidemiological prevalence survey was undertaken. Multistage cluster sampling selected 20 villages and 50 households to survey from which 1853 people were interviewed. Tobacco prevalence and KAP were analyzed by income level, occupation, age, and sex. 95% confidence intervals were calculated using standard formulas and incorporating assumptions in relation to the clustering effect.Results. The overall prevalence of tobacco usage, defined using WHO criteria, was 38.9%. 93% of smokers and 86% of tobacco chewers were male. Prevalence of tobacco use, controlling for other factors, was associated with lower education, older age, and male sex. 97.6% of users and 98.1% of nonusers wanted less tobacco. Except for lung cancer (89% awareness), awareness of diseases caused by tobacco usage was low (cardiac: 67%; infertility: 32.5%; stroke: 40.5%).Conclusion. A dangerous combination of high tobacco usage prevalence, ignorance about its dangers, and few quit attempts being made suggests the need to develop effective and evidence based interventions to prevent a health and development disaster in Uttarakhand.

scholarly journals Women's knowledge of maternal danger signs during pregnancy: Findings from a cross-sectional survey in Papua New Guinea

Midwifery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
LM Vallely ◽  
R Emori ◽  
H Gouda ◽  
S Phuanukoonnon ◽  
CSE Homer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
Women's Knowledge ◽  
Women’S Knowledge

scholarly journals Socio-economic status and behavioural and cardiovascular risk factors in Papua New Guinea: A cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e0211068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Rarau ◽  
Justin Pulford ◽  
Hebe Gouda ◽  
Suparat Phuanukoonon ◽  
Chris Bullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socio Economic Status

scholarly journals Utility of ultra-sensitive qPCR to detect Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections under different transmission intensities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gruenberg ◽  
Clara Antunes Moniz ◽  
Natalie E. Hofmann ◽  
Cristian Koepfli ◽  
Leanne J. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Subsequent Risk

Abstract Background The use of molecular diagnostics has revealed an unexpectedly large number of asymptomatic low-density malaria infections in many malaria endemic areas. This study compared the gains in parasite prevalence obtained by the use of ultra-sensitive (us)-qPCR as compared to standard qPCR in cross sectional surveys conducted in Thailand, Brazil and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The compared assays differed in the copy number of qPCR targets in the parasite genome. Methods Plasmodium falciparum ( Pf ) and Plasmodium vivax ( Pv ) parasites were quantified by qPCR amplifying the low-copy Pf_ and Pv _18S rRNA genes or the multi-copy targets Pf _varATS and Pv _mtCOX1. Cross-sectional surveys at the three study sites included 2252 participants of all ages and represented different transmission intensities. Results In the two low-transmission areas, P. falciparum positivity was 1.3% (10/773) (Thailand) and 0.8% (5/651) (Brazil) using standard Pf _18S rRNA qPCR. In these two countries, P. falciparum positivity by Pf_ varATS us-qPCR increased to 1.9% (15/773) and 1.7% (11/651). In PNG, an area with moderate transmission intensity, P. falciparum positivity significantly increased from 8.6% (71/828) by standard qPCR to 12.2% (101/828) by us-qPCR. The proportions of P. falciparum infections not detected by standard qPCR were 33%, 55% and 30% in Thailand, Brazil and PNG. Plasmodium vivax was the predominating species in Thailand and Brazil, with 3.9% (30/773) and 4.9% (32/651) positivity by Pv _18S rRNA qPCR. In PNG, P. vivax positivity was similar to P. falciparum , at 8.0% (66/828). Use of Pv _mtCOX1 us-qPCR led to a significant increase in positivity to 5.1% (39/773), 6.4% (42/651) and 11.5% (95/828) in Thailand, Brazil, and PNG. The proportions of P. vivax infections missed by standard qPCR were similar at all three sites, with 23%, 24% and 31% in Thailand, Brazil and PNG. Conclusion The proportional gains in the detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections by ultra-sensitive diagnostic assays were substantial at all three study sites. Thus, us-qPCR yields more precise prevalence estimates for both P. falciparum and P. vivax at all studied levels of endemicity and represents a significant diagnostic improvement. Improving sensitivity in P. vivax surveillance by us-qPCR is of particular benefit, because the additionally detected P. vivax infections signal the potential presence of hypnozoites and subsequent risk of relapse and further transmission.

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