News
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the WSP Teams!
Thank you for all your support in 2023 and we look forward to seeing you next year! We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
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World First Prevalence Survey of Scabies Completed in French Polynesia
Over the last two months WSP has partnered with French Polynesia's Regulatory Agency for Public Health and Social Action to conduct the country's first prevalence survey of scabies and bacterial skin infection. The study was funded by WSP and the Pacific Fund.
A small team of skilled and enthusiastic French Polynesian doctors, nurses, and data officers were trained in research ethics, study methodology, and Child Safety.
Over three weeks, 1771 people of all ages were examined from randomly selected households across two islands (Tahiti and Mo'orea). The study team toiled in challenging conditions of blistering heat, downpours, and a lower house occupancy than anticipated. Scabies and bacterial skin infection were found to be problematic in all neighbourhoods. Results will be available in early 2024 and will inform French Polynesia's public health response. -
Macquarie 50th Anniversary Award Winners WSP Video
The World Scabies Program, one of the Macquarie 50th Anniversary Award winners, has completed the first round of mass drug administration in the Solomon Islands and Fiji this year.
Watch the video below to hear from Sarah Teddy, Headmistress, Kukum SDA School, Solomon Islands, who talks about the challenges children with scabies face at school and how the work of the WSP has helped children, families and communities in the Solomons and Fiji. The success of the program will ensure scabies is no longer a public health problem in these countries.
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First Scabies National Prevalence Survey in Kiribati
WSP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, recently conducted the first scabies national prevalence survey in Kiribati.
Over 10,000 people of all ages were examined from randomly selected households across 10 districts, including 5 outer islands, over a 3-week period. The survey teams found scabies and bacterial skin infection to be problematic for many communities, reinforcing the urgent need for a scabies control program in Kiribati. Analysis of data is underway, and results will be available in early 2024.
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Post MDA prevalence survey is underway in Solomon Islands
The post-mass drug administration (MDA) prevalence survey has recently begun in Solomon Islands. Nurses and data collectors have been traveling together all over Solomon Islands to undertake skin examinations for scabies. The purpose of this survey is to estimate national scabies prevalence now that the country-wide MDA has been completed. Thanks to all the teams who are working hard to get the survey finished on time.
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Integrated scabies and LF Mini MDA completed in Matuku Island and Totoya Island in Fiji
The Fiji WSP team has recently completed a mass drug administration (MDA) in Matuku Island and Totoya Island in integration with the Lymphatic Filariasis Unit from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
The teams worked hard to successfully visit all four villages in Totoya and all seven villages in Matuku despite experiencing unfavourable weather conditions. Well done to all the staff and volunteers involved in completing this MDA in such a timely and efficient manner. -
Post MDA integrated prevalence survey training completed in the Solomon Islands
Earlier this month, the Solomon Islands WSP team in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical services completed the post MDA prevalence survey training. The WSP Program Lead and Senior Program Officer travelled from the Melbourne office to attend the trainings in the Solomon Islands.
Nurses were trained on clinical skin examinations for scabies and infection, field communications, consent and survey logistics. Data collectors were trained on how to use a survey tool called Redcap in order to collect survey data on electronic tablets. The scabies prevalence survey is part of an integrated survey with trachoma and yaws. A big congratulations to all involved!
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WSP presented and attended the COR-NTD Meeting for the Pacific Islands in Sydney
The inaugural Regional Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD) Meeting for the Pacific Islands recently took place in Sydney, Australia.
During the meeting, WSP team members from Solomon Islands, Fiji and Melbourne presented our program experiences on scabies elimination efforts to date with a special focus on urban MDA implementation and its challenges. This was the first time WSP team members from Fiji and Solomon Islands came together in person. The meeting was a great opportunity to discuss key priorities moving forward for the Pacific Island NTD community.
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WSP is taking part in the first National Integrated NTD Survey in the Solomon Islands
The World Scabies Program (WSP) is excited to be taking part in the first national integrated NTD survey in Solomon Islands. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WSP and its partners, has initiated a training program for nurses and public health officers to carry out a nationwide survey on three selected 'Neglected Tropical Diseases'. Scabies, Yaws, and Trachoma.
See the video below for more information
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MDA Coverage Survey Central and Western Division of Fiji
The Fiji WSP team are currently undertaking a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Coverage Survey in the Central and Western Division. The survey involves a series of questions to gain insight into individual feedback on the impact of the MDA in their households and community.
The communities chosen to partake in the survey were randomly selected and include Nasinu, Serua Namosi, Naitasiri and Tailevu in Central and Ra, Ba, Nadi and Nadroga in the West. Our teams are enjoying visiting households and learning more about their experiences of the MDA. The MDA Coverage Survey will help to ensure future MDA implementation strategies are improved upon.
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