Humans ; Neoplasms/*epidemiology/pathology/therapy ; Papua New Guinea/epidemiology

Humans ; Papua New Guinea/epidemiology ; Pneumonia/*epidemiology/microbiology/prevention & control

A cross-sectional malaria survey of the Pabrabuk area in the Western Highlands Province found that all 4 human malaria species were present in a single village, with an overall parasite prevalence rate of 27%. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequently detected infection (14%) followed by P. vivax (11%), P. malariae (5%) and P. ovale (3%). 10 of the 51 infections were mixed. Anopheles punctulatus was the most frequent vector species in the area, but both An. farauti no. 6 and An. karwari were also present in low numbers. This diversity in both parasite and vector populations indicates that complex malaria patterns are found in Papua New Guinea even at the moderate transmission levels found in low-lying inter-montane valleys.
Malaria ; upper case pea ; Papua New Guinea ; Study of epidemiology ; Complex

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Data on the epidemiology and history of cannabis in PNG are presented. The adverse health consequences of cannabis smoking and treatment options for cannabis dependence are discussed. It is recommended that a range of strategies are urgently required in PNG to prevent adverse physical and mental health consequences associated with cannabis smoking.
Cannabis ; Papua New Guinea ; Smoking ; Study of epidemiology ; treatment options

It is clear that exposure to arthropod-borne viruses is common in the populations of both Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. Clinical disease resulting from these infections has been reported although the paucity of case reports and combined clinical experience suggest that it is rare. Dengue epidemics due to dengue-1 and dengue-2 have occurred and it is likely that dengue-3 is also present in the region. No cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever have been described. Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River and antigenically related viruses are widespread in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, particularly in the lowland and coastal areas. Antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus have not been found in blood samples from Papua New Guinea or Irian Jaya. As Papua New Guinea is developed, new areas of the country are opened up and ecosystems are altered. It is important that physicians based in Papua New Guinea, and those who deal with patients living or working here, are aware of the arbovirus diseases which occur and the potential and preventable problems posed by them to both the individual and the community.
Alphavirus Infections - epidemiology ; Arboviruses ; Dengue - epidemiology ; Papua New Guinea - epidemiology ; Population Surveillance

Humans ; Papua New Guinea/epidemiology ; Pneumonia/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; *Public Health ; Public Policy ; Risk Factors

The large contribution of diarrhoea to morbidity and mortality rates in Papua New Guinea (PNG) warrants a significant response to diagnosing aetiology, determining appropriate management and reducing risk factors that facilitate transmission of enteric pathogens. We conducted a review of literature to assess the extent of research published on the aetiology of diarrhoea in PNG between 1995 and 2012. Of 54 peer-reviewed articles that were selected for review, 25 pertained to aetiology. While the majority of articles described typhoid fever and non-typhoid salmonellosis, shigellosis, rotavirus, pigbel and cholera were also represented in the literature reviewed.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Diarrhea/epidemiology/*microbiology ; Humans ; Papua New Guinea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal illness caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. From July 2009 to late 2011 Papua New Guinea (PNG) experienced thefirst outbreak of cholera ever reported in this country. During this time > 15,000 cases of cholera were reported, resulting in approximately 500 deaths. The origin of this outbreak is unknown, but considering the remote location of the initial outbreak an infected international traveller is unlikely to be the source. In this paper we review the characteristics of the PNG cholera outbreak and discuss the ongoing threat of cholera to the country and the region.
Cholera/*epidemiology ; *Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Papua New Guinea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

Surveys of noncommunicable diseases were performed in six communities in Papua New Guinea during 1985-1986. Results are reported here with respect to blood pressure and associated factors in adults. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowest, and hypertension was rarest (less than 2%), in three rural/semirural villages on Karkar Island, Madang Province. Intermediate values for blood pressure and moderate prevalence of hypertension (3-6%) were observed in rural and urban Tolai communities in East New Britain Province. A periurban village in the Eastern Highlands Province displayed the highest mean blood pressures and prevalence of hypertension (12% in men and 5% in women). There was a modest rise in mean systolic blood pressure with age in most groups, but the age-related rise in diastolic pressure was much less pronounced. Other cardiovascular risk factors--body mass index (BMI), and plasma cholesterol, glucose and insulin concentrations--were lowest in the least developed rural villages on Karkar Island and highest in the urban Tolai and periurban highland communities. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly (and positively) related to age, male sex, BMI and speaking a non-Austronesian language. It is concluded that there is now a considerable variation in the prevalence of hypertension, and the levels of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors, in different communities in Papua New Guinea.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology ; Hypertension - complications ; Obesity - epidemiology ; Papua New Guinea

In this survey the obstetric and neonatal data of the admissions to the Obstetric Ward in Raihu Health Centre during 1990, 1991 and the first half of 1992 were analyzed. The emphasis of the survey was on the difference between deliveries born before arrival (BBA) (24%) and health centre (HC) deliveries (76%). The survey shows that there were differences in postnatal complications, postpartum haemorrhage (16% vs 4.3%), retained placenta (21% vs 1.3%) and puerperal sepsis (18% vs 4.3%), and in antenatal attendance (52% vs 90%), average bedstay (6.5 days vs 5.4 days), mean haemoglobin level (7.78 vs 8.77 g/dl) and gonorrhoea (17% vs 8%). For the neonatal data the survey shows differences in stillbirth rate (10.5% vs 2.3%), perinatal death in the first week (4.0% vs 2.5%) and mean birthweight (for male infants 2.75 kg vs 2.88 kg and female infants 2.60 kg vs 2.73 kg).
Birth Weight ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Fetal Death - epidemiology ; Health Facilities ; Humans ; Papua New Guinea - epidemiology