Skin infections in Tanna, Vanuatu in 1989
Harris, M.; Nako, D.; Hopkins, T.; Powell, D.M.; Kenny, C.; Carroll, C.; Carroll, K.
Papua and new Guinea Medical Journal 35(2): 137-143
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-1480 PMID: 1509813 Document Number: 325081
In 1989, the Royal New Zealand Medical Corps and the Health Department augmented their mass treatment program of yaws by also screening the population of Tanna Island in the archipelago nation of vanuatu for other skin infections. Health workers first visited the villages and informed leaders of the program. Radio broadcasts also informed the public. The teams reached about 90% (18,223 people from 288 villages) of the target population. They also treated other diseases and led a health education exchange on vector control, improvements in sanitation and the water supply, and immunization of children with each village. 16.5% of the population had only scabies. They tended to be younger than those with other skin infections (mean age 14.8 vs. 22.6 years; p .05). Children under 10 years old had the highest prevalence rate (20.6 for 5-9 years olds and 27.5% for 0-4 years olds). People who lived in the Middle Bush area had the highest prevalence rate of scabies (20.8%) as well as the lowest supply of water for washing. Health workers treated the people with benzoyl benzoate. 11.9% of people had other infections which included furuncles, abscesses, impetigo, and cellulitis. They were most likely staphylococcal and/or streptococcal infections. 9.7% had grade 2 lesions (mean age - 14.1% years) and 2.2% had grade 3 lesions (mean age = 13.5 years). Grade 2 infections were more common in the north (16.4%) and the southwest (16.8%) while grade 3 infections were most common in White Sands (7.1%). The high prevalence at White Sands may have been due to the irritating effects of the acidic rain created by the active nearby volcano. Skin infections were more common in crowded households (p .05). These skin infections were significant because they often transmit hepatitis B virus and have been associated with acute and chronic glomerulonephritis which is common in children in Vanuatu. Tanna Island must develop an extensive strategy to control skin infections.