Evaluation of a population-wide, systematic screening initiative for tuberculosis on Daru island, Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

Background: A population-wide, systematic screening initiative for tuberculosis (TB) was implemented on Daru island in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, where TB is known to be highly prevalent. The initiative used a mobile van equipped with a digital X-ray device, computer-aided detection (CAD) software to identify TB-related abnormalities on chest radiographs, and GeneXpert machines for follow-on diagnostic testing. We describe the results of the TB screening initiative, evaluate its population-level impact and examine risk factors associated with TB detection.

How advanced is the epidemiological transition in Papua New Guinea? New evidence from verbal autopsy.

Background: Reliable cause of death (COD) data are not available for the majority of deaths in Papua New Guinea (PNG), despite their critical policy value. Automated verbal autopsy (VA) methods, involving an interview and automated analysis to diagnose causes of community deaths, have recently been trialled in PNG. Here, we report VA results from three sites and highlight the utility of these methods to generate information about the leading CODs in the country.

Diversity of epidemiological transition in the Pacific: Findings from the application of verbal autopsy in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Background: Cause of death data are essential for rational health planning yet are not routinely available in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands. Indirect estimation of cause of death patterns suggests these populations are epidemiologically similar, but such assessments are not based on direct evidence.

Methods: Verbal autopsy (VA) interviews were conducted at three sites in PNG and nationwide in Solomon Islands.

Mortality surveillance and verbal autopsy strategies: experiences, challenges and lessons learnt in Papua New Guinea.

Full notification of deaths and compilation of good quality cause of death data are core, sequential and essential components of a functional civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system. In collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), trial mortality surveillance activities were established at sites in Alotau District in Milne Bay Province, Tambul-Nebilyer District in Western Highlands Province and Talasea District in West New Britain Province.Provincial Health Authorities trialled strategies to improve completeness of death notification and implement an automated verbal autopsy methodology, including use of different notification agents and paper or mobile phone methods.

The emergency response to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Daru, Western Province, Papua New Guinea, 2014-2017.

Setting: A response to an outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on Daru Island, South Fly District (SFD), Western Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG) was implemented by a national emergency response taskforce.

Objective: To describe programmatic interventions for TB in SFD and evaluate characteristics of TB case notifications, drug resistance and treatment outcomes.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study based on routine programmatic data for all patients enrolled on TB treatment at Daru General Hospital from 2014 to 2017.