Harmen, Sonia Pauline (2009) The prevalence and impact of the co-morbidity of scabies and other neglected tropical diseases in two countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Professional Doctorate (Research) thesis, James Cook University.

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Abstract

Many people living in tropical settings in the developing world are burdened with neglected infectious diseases which remain unaddressed by the health sector. This study conducted baseline and follow-up surveys on a cohort of 900 children of Tuvalu to determine the prevalence and scope of skin infections and intestinal parasites; as well as cross-sectional survey of multiple sites in Timor-Leste.

Results indicated a high prevalence of infectious disease, especially skin infections in both countries with many participants presenting with multiple infections. Scabies and scabies co-infection with secondary bacterial or fungal diseases were the most common presentations in both populations. Intestinal parasites were present in 67% of the children surveyed in Tuvalu where one third of this cohort also had anaemia and abnormal urine results.

Overall these communities show a high burden of co-morbidity, the impact of which is unknown. However, the high proportion of multiple infectious diseases along with the clinical evidence suggests a negative health impact on these populations, which could benefit from multiple interventions in an integrated community-bases disease control programme.

Item ID:	15084
Item Type:	Thesis (Professional Doctorate (Research))
Keywords:	public health, child health, Tuvalu, Timor-Leste, skin diseases, scabies, co-morbidity, neglected tropical diseases, intestinal parasites, infectious diseases, anaemia, pyoderma, fungal infections, multiple pathogens, disease control
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2011 06:12
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111715 Pacific Peoples Health @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920109 Infectious Diseases @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920599 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) not elsewhere classified @ 50%
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