A5035670225- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Disaster Management and Resilience
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Cultural Competency in Health Care
- Genital Health and Disease
- Disaster Response and Management
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
Ministry Of Health
2011-2022
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
2022
University of Fiji
2021
Background The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) provides antifilarial medications hundreds of millions people annually treat filarial infections and prevent elephantiasis. Recent trials have shown that a single-dose, triple-drug treatment (ivermectin with diethylcarbamazine albendazole [IDA]) is superior two-drug combination (diethylcarbamazine plus [DA]) widely used in LF elimination programs. This study was performed assess the safety IDA DA variety endemic...
Background Many countries will not reach elimination targets for lymphatic filariasis in 2020 using the two-drug treatment regimen (diethylcarbamazine citrate [DEC] and albendazole [DA]). A cluster-randomized, community-based safety study performed Fiji, Haiti, India, Indonesia Papua New Guinea tested efficacy of a new ivermectin, DEC (IDA). Methodology/Principal findings To assess acceptability IDA DA, mixed methods was embedded within this study. The objective to versus DA. Community...
Lymphatic filariasis has remained endemic in Fiji despite repeated mass drug administration using the well-established and safe combination of diethylcarbamazine albendazole (DA) since 2002. In certain settings addition ivermectin to this (IDA) remains a strategy is more efficacious. However, safety yet be described scabies soil-transmitted helminth like Fiji. Villages Rotuma Gau islands were randomised either DA or IDA. Residents received weight-based treatment unblinded with standard...
Bancroftian filariasis remains endemic in Fiji despite >10 years of mass drug administration (MDA) using diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (DA). The addition ivermectin to this combination (IDA) has improved efficacy microfilarial clearance at 12 months individually randomized trials nocturnal transmission settings, but impact a setting diurnally subperiodic filarial not been evaluated.This cluster study compared the individual community IDA vs DA as MDA for lymphatic 35 villages on 2...
Objective To assess the performance of an early warning, alert and response system (EWARS) developed by World Health Organization (WHO) -EWARS in a Box -that was used to detect control disease outbreaks after Cyclone Winston caused destruction Fiji on 20 February 2016.Methods Immediately cyclone, Fiji's Ministry Medical Services, supported WHO, started implement EWARS Box, which is smartphone-based, automated, warning surveillance for rapid deployment during health emergencies.Both...
There is currently limited information about human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution in women the South Pacific region. This study's objective was to determine HPV genotypes present cervical cancer (CC) and precancers (cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) 3) Fiji.Cross-sectional analysis evaluated archival CC CIN3 biopsy samples from 296 of Melanesian Fijian ethnicity (n=182, 61.5%) Indo-Fijian (n=114, 38.5%). were using INNO-LiPA assay (n=174) (n=122) among Fiji over a 5-year...
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends height or age-based dosing as alternatives to weight-based for mass drug administration lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination programs. goals of our study were compare these alternative strategies and develop evaluate new height-based pole scenarios. Methodology/Principal findings Age, weight data collected from >26,000 individuals in five countries during a cluster randomized LF clinical trial. Weight-based...
Background Scabies is a neglected tropical disease hyperendemic to many low- and middle-income countries. can be successfully controlled using mass drug administration (MDA) 2 doses of ivermectin-based treatment. If effective, strategy 1-dose MDA would have substantial advantages for implementing scabies at large scale. Methods findings We did cluster randomised, noninferiority, open-label, 3-group unblinded study comparing the effectiveness control strategies on community prevalence 12...
Background There are few population-based data on the disease burden of cervical cancer from developing countries, especially South Pacific islands. This study aimed to determine incidence and mortality associated with coverage Papanicolaou (Pap) cytology in 20- 69-year-old women Fiji 2004 2007. Methods: National incident cases histologically confirmed deaths, Pap smear results were collected all pathology laboratories, death registries Results: 413 215 related deaths during timeframe. The...
We discuss the experience of some Pacific island countries in introducing new WHO-recommended treatment protocol for lymphatic filariasis-a triple-drug therapy composed ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole. The successful rollout was dependent on strong partnerships among these countries' ministries health, WHO, other stakeholders. Effective communication partners allowed lessons learned to cross borders have a positive impact experiences countries. also describe various...
In Fiji, hepatitis B (HB) vaccine was introduced into childhood immunization program in 1989 and has been administered as a pentavalent since 2006. This study aimed to: (i) survey examine the extent to which HB infection continue occur children, adolescents adults (ii) determine coverage rates timeliness of administration children.Serum samples (aged 6 months <5 years, 16-20 21-49 respectively) collected between 2008-2009 were tested for serologic markers virus namely, surface antigen...
This article is a compilation of summaries prepared by lead investigators for large-scale safety and efficacy studies on mass drug administration IDA (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, albendazole) lymphatic filariasis. The highlight the experiences study teams that assessed in five countries: India, Indonesia, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Fiji. They also significant challenges encountered during these community responses to those contributed success.