Estimating the pattern of causes of death in Papua New Guinea.

Background: Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a diverse country with high mortality and evidence of increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but there is no reliable cause of death (COD) data because civil registration is insufficient and routine health data comprise only a small proportion of deaths. This study aims to estimate cause-specific mortality fractions (CSMFs) for five broad groups of causes (endemic infections, emerging infections, endemic NCDs, emerging NCDs and injuries), by sex for each of PNG's provinces.

Methods: CSMFs are calculated as the average of estimates obtained from: (1) Empirical cause method: Utilising available Verbal Autopsy (VA) data and Discharge Health Information System (DHIS) data, and applying statistical models of community versus facility CODs; and (2) Expected cause patterns method: Utilising existing estimates of mortality levels in each province and statistical models of the relationship between all-cause and cause-specific mortality using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.

Estimating Adult Mortality in Papua New Guinea, 2011.

Background: Mortality in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is poorly measured because routine reporting of deaths is incomplete and inaccurate. This study provides the first estimates in the academic literature of adult mortality (45q15) in PNG by province and sex. These results are compared to a Composite Index of provincial socio-economic factors and health access.

Patterns of All-Cause Mortality in Papua New Guinea, 2011.

Existing estimates of mortality for Papua New Guinea (PNG) have primarily been based on models using little empirical data, and without estimation of life expectancy at subnational level. We used data on deaths from the 2000 and 2011 censuses and indirect demographic methods to estimate under-5 mortality (5q0), adult mortality (45q15), and life expectancy by province and sex. A Socioeconomic Composite Index was constructed to assess the plausibility of life expectancy estimates.

Experience in piloting HIV drug resistance early warning indicators to improve the antiretroviral program in Papua New Guinea.

In 2009, World Health Organization human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance early warning indicator monitoring was piloted at 2 large antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics in Papua New Guinea: Heduru Clinic in Port Moresby and Tininga Clinic in Mount Hagen. Results demonstrated that both Heduru and Tininga clinics met internationally suggested targets for prescribing appropriate first-line ART regimens in accordance with national ART guidelines, retention on first-line ART at 12 months, and drug supply continuity. However, both clinics failed to achieve suggested targets for rates of loss to follow-up and on-time pill pickup.