Humpress Harrington1, Richard Bradbury2, James Taeka3, James Asugeni4, Vunivesi Asugeni4, Tony Igeni5, John Gwala4, Lawrence Newton6, Chillion Evan Fa1, Fawcett Laurence Kilivisi7, Dorothy Esau8, Angelica Flores4, Elmer Ribeyro4, Daisy Liku4, Alwin Muse1, Lyndel Asugeni4, Jeptha Talana9, Jennifer Shield10, David J MacLaren11, Peter D Massey12, Reinhold Muller13, Rick Speare13. 1. School of Health Science, Pacific Adventist University, Atoifi Campus, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 2. School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Australia . 3. Community Leader, Na'au, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 4. Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 5. Community Leader, Gounaasuu, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 6. Community Leader, Ambitona, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 7. Community Leader, Batuna, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands (deceased). 8. Community Leader, Wyfolonga, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 9. Community Leader, Sifilo, East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands . 10. Department of Pharmacy and Applied Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia . 11. College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia . 12. Hunter New England Population Health, Tamworth, Australia . 13. Tropical Health Solutions, Townsville, Australia . ; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia .
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are endemic in Solomon Islands, there are few recent reports on their prevalence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH in residents of remote communities in Solomon Islands. METHODS: A cross-sectional convenience-sampled survey of residents of four adjacent villages in Malaita, Solomon Islands was performed in Atoifi and Na'au in April 2011 and in Abitona and Sifilo in April 2012. All residents older than one year were invited to participate, which involved providing a single sample of faeces examined using a modified Kato-Katz technique and completing a questionnaire that asked demographic and STH-related behaviour questions. RESULTS: The overall participation rate was 52.8%, with 402 participants comprising 49.8% males. Hookworm was the predominant STH with only a single case of trichuriasis found in Atoifi. The total prevalence of hookworm was 22.6% (95% confidence interval: 18.6-27.1); the prevalence of hookworm in Abitona, Na'au and Sifilo was 20.0%, 29.9% and 27.4%, respectively, whereas in Atoifi it was 2.3% (P < 0.001). Intensity was low in all villages. Although health behaviours differed significantly between Atoifi and the other three villages, the type of toilet used was the only significant association with hookworm. DISCUSSION: Residents of Atoifi have a relative freedom from STH compared to the other three villages. Rather than a region-wide morbidity control approach, a "one village at a time" approach aiming to eliminate STH and dealing with each village as a separate autonomous unit empowered to manage its own challenges may be a preferred option.
OBJECTIVE: Although soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are endemic in Solomon Islands, there are few recent reports on their prevalence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STH in residents of remote communities in Solomon Islands. METHODS: A cross-sectional convenience-sampled survey of residents of four adjacent villages in Malaita, Solomon Islands was performed in Atoifi and Na'au in April 2011 and in Abitona and Sifilo in April 2012. All residents older than one year were invited to participate, which involved providing a single sample of faeces examined using a modified Kato-Katz technique and completing a questionnaire that asked demographic and STH-related behaviour questions. RESULTS: The overall participation rate was 52.8%, with 402 participants comprising 49.8% males. Hookworm was the predominant STH with only a single case of trichuriasis found in Atoifi. The total prevalence of hookworm was 22.6% (95% confidence interval: 18.6-27.1); the prevalence of hookworm in Abitona, Na'au and Sifilo was 20.0%, 29.9% and 27.4%, respectively, whereas in Atoifi it was 2.3% (P < 0.001). Intensity was low in all villages. Although health behaviours differed significantly between Atoifi and the other three villages, the type of toilet used was the only significant association with hookworm. DISCUSSION: Residents of Atoifi have a relative freedom from STH compared to the other three villages. Rather than a region-wide morbidity control approach, a "one village at a time" approach aiming to eliminate STH and dealing with each village as a separate autonomous unit empowered to manage its own challenges may be a preferred option.
Authors: P D Massey; J Wakageni; E Kekeubata; J Maena'adi; J Laete'esafi; J Waneagea; G Fangaria; C Jimuru; M Houaimane; J Talana; D MacLaren; R Speare Journal: Rural Remote Health Date: 2012-10-24 Impact factor: 1.759
Authors: Vernon J Lee; Alan Ong; Nan Guang Lee; Wei Ting Lee; Kenneth L Fong; Poh Lian Lim Journal: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg Date: 2007-10-04 Impact factor: 2.184
Authors: Michelle L Redman-Maclaren; David J Maclaren; Rowena Asugeni; Chillion E Fa'anuabae; Humpress Harrington; Alwin Muse; Richard Speare; Alan R Clough Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2010-11-05
Authors: Michael Marks; Sarah Gwyn; Hilary Toloka; Christian Kositz; James Asugeni; Rowena Asugeni; Jason Diau; John M Kaldor; Lucia Romani; Michelle Redman-MacLaren; David MacLaren; Anthony W Solomon; David C W Mabey; Andrew C Steer; Diana Martin Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2020-12-15 Impact factor: 9.079