The Huntington's Disease Register of Papua New Guinea

The discovery of Huntington's chorea in New Britain, Papua New Guinea in 1977 was followed by the establishment of a National Huntington's Disease Register. At present there are 11 choreics and 136 potential choreics registered within 5 kindreds. The disease presents early in Papua New Guinea and the average age of onset in living choreics in New Britain was 21 years. Affected persons here do not as a rule seek medical advice, and an active case detection policy was therefore adopted. The development of a genetic register in an unsophisticated and superstitious community poses special problems. Genetic counselling has so far proved to be ineffective.     

Maternal death in Papua New Guinea, 1984-1986

The life-time risk of maternal death in the developing world is about 500 times that for women in developed countries. This disparity is wider than for any other public health statistic. The causes of 304 maternal deaths occurring in the period 1984-1986 are reported; this most likely represents only 10% of the total occurring in Papua New Guinea. The maternal mortality rate is estimated at 7/1000 for the period. Figures for Simbu Province are given in more detail than are available for other parts of Papua New Guinea.     

Cannabis in Papua New Guinea

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.     

Rehabilitation services in Papua New Guinea

It is now accepted that in developing countries community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is the most effective way to meet the needs of the disabled. The proportion of the population of Papua New Guinea (PNG) having access to CBR is not known. The purpose of this project was to clarify the extent of rehabilitation services in PNG. It was hoped that by establishing the extent of services, communication and cooperation between them would increase, leading to more efficient and effective use of the limited resources (human and otherwise) available for rehabilitation in PNG. A questionnaire was sent to all known existing rehabilitation services, all provincial health departments, provincial hospitals and church health services. A 47% response rate was achieved. Results showed that most provinces have some form of rehabilitation available but rehabilitation is not spread equally throughout PNG. Most of the services are based in the urban centres and the rural population is badly served except in the Highlands Region and the Sepik provinces, which appear to be more comprehensively served by CBR. The services that do exist are hampered by lack of human and material resources and difficulty accessing clients due to transport difficulties. There needs to be a greater movement of rehabilitation into the community with government backing. The greatest effort is being made by Callan Services for Disabled Persons based in Wewak with its group of Special Education Resource Centres that also carry out CBR. CBR would appear to be an appropriate way to address the needs of the disabled PNG population, but in order to be successful it requires greater backing and more trained personnel.     

Pyoderma gangrenosum in Papua New Guinea

A severe case of pyoderma gangrenosum in a Papua New Guinean girl aged 11 years in reported. Multiple lesions of the arms, legs, buttocks and mouth were present. There was no associated disease. She was treated with very high doses of prednisolone and slow resolution over 3 months in hospital was observed.