By Tommy Esau, Research Assistant
Last week three members of the Scabies and Yaws Study team went to Kwaibaita Valley, East Kwaio, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, to conduct a census. Census data collected included number of people living in each residence, gender of residents and ages of residents. This census is a critical part of preparing for study to be undertaken this week in Kwaibaita.
The census team included community members and researchers: Max Firiabae from Abitona community; Joyce from Namfe’akwa community in Kwaibaita; Mary Laetem RN nurse from Namolaelae clinic and Tommy Esau, Research Assistant with the Atoifi Health Research Group.
The team conducted censuses in three main villages in Kwaibaita valley: Gwaari (n=180); Fataolo (n=183); and Namolae'lae and surrounds (n=289). This population data represents the actual people residing in the village during the year.
The team also talked with community members about the causes and effects of scabies and yaws, and the how the communities can help protect themselves and their families from getting those diseases. These diseases are mostly diseases of children who live in poor, rural settings in the topics. According to a report published by Dr Michael Marks from London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and his colleagues, Solomon Islands are one of the counties in the world who are highly affected.
Yesterday, Dr Michael Marks and Dr Christian Kostiz, LSHTM, along with members of the Atoifi Health Research Group left for Kwaibaita to begin the scabies and yaws intervention study in villages in the Kwaibaita Valley.
For more information about the prevalence of yaws in Solomon Islands, read for free this recent article by Dr Marks and colleagues: http://www.ajtmh.org/content/92/1/129.long
For more information about this research, please contact Dr Jason Diau, jaseydiau[at]gmail.com
Photo: (i) (LR) Namolae'lae clinic nurse, Mary Laetem, Max Timothy and Joyce; (ii) Mary Laetem explaining some pictures about scabies and yaws to family at Fataolo in Kwaibaita. (Photo credit: Tommy Esau).
