Biomedical subjects

B Montaville

Publications and source records attributed to B Montaville.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency at different levels of urbanization in Vanuatu.

Mean haemoglobin and plasma iron levels and prevalences of anaemia and iron deficiency were determined in three population samples of Vanuatuans aged 20 or more years as part of a noncommunicable diseases survey in 1985. The three samples were drawn from separate urban, semirural and rural populations. Age-adjusted mean haemoglobin levels were highest in the urban sample and lowest in the rural sample, and plasma iron levels were highest in the urban sample and lowest in the semirural sample. Mean values in each location were generally higher in male subjects than in nonpregnant female subjects. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 10.1% in nonpregnant female subjects and 5.3% in male subjects by World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. These prevalences are lower than those reported for most other developing countries, including some Pacific island nations. Iron deficiency was more prevalent in females than in males (females 17.2%; males 5.0%). Approximately 40% of anaemic subjects were also iron deficient, and there was a significant positive correlation of plasma iron levels with haemoglobin concentration. This suggests that haemoglobinopathies may not be a major cause of anaemia as previously reported. Although most anaemic subjects (88%) had only mild anaemia, in view of the physical lifestyle of rural and semirural Vanuatuans it would be important to optimize haemoglobin levels in these populations.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity at different levels of urbanisation in Vanuatu.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of non-communicable disease, specifically hypertension, diabetes and obesity, amongst populations at different levels of urbanisation in Vanuatu, and to relate the frequency of these conditions to the modernisation of way of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based comparative study of indicative cluster samples. SETTING: Republic of Vanuatu (south-west Pacific). A relatively undeveloped malarious island country. PARTICIPANTS: Adult (aged greater than or equal to 20 years) Melanesian ni-Vanuatu of both sexes. An occupation-based (civil servants) urban sample (n = 623) and area-based semi-rural (n = 349) and rural (n = 397) samples were employed. Response rates were 78%-92%. INTERVENTIONS: Cases detected were referred for assessment and treatment by local medical staff. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, blood pressure, plasma glucose (fasting and 2 hours after 75 g glucose), plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. RESULTS: Modernity scores confirmed that the three locations represented different levels of acculturation. Prevalences of non-communicable disease were relatively low compared to other Pacific Island communities and industrialised countries. These conditions were nevertheless more common in the urban sample and least common in the rural sample. Non-communicable disease correlated positively with modernity scores and negatively with physical activity scores. Obesity correlated with blood pressure in the urban sample, and there was indirect evidence (urine sodium concentration) of higher salt intake with modernisation. Mean plasma cholesterol levels were lowest in the rural group. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalences of non-communicable disease are relatively low in Vanuatu, although rural-urban differentials are present, and likely to increase with continued development. The evidence presented is consistent with non-communicable disease being related to the modernisation of way of life; specifically: decreased exercise, obesity, and dietary change. Preventive activities should commence now.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Cancer occurrence in Vanuatu in the South Pacific, 1980-86.

In order to study the occurrence of cancer in the archipelago of Vanuatu (ex-New Hebrides) within the Melanesia region in the South Pacific, a pathology based study was carried out. A total of 269 pathologically confirmed cancer cases (118 male, 151 female) were recorded over a 7 year period (1980-1986). Cervical cancer was numerically the most important malignancy in females (25.2% of all female cancers). In males, liver cancer was the most commonly observed (14.4% of all male cancers). The most interesting feature was the high proportion of thyroid cancers, especially in females. It consisted of 12.1% of all cancers in female and 5.2% in male Melanesians in Vanuatu.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Hepatitis B infection in Vanuatu: age of acquisition of infection and possible routes of transmission.

Seroepidemiological studies of hepatitis B were carried out on diverse groups of children (477) and adults (629) from the Pacific Island country of Vanuatu. In children under 14 years, prevalences of HBsAg and of all markers were 6% and 53.3% respectively; in adults greater than or equal to 20 years the prevalences were 15% and 70%. Age specific prevalence of hepatitis B infection (all markers) was low in infancy (less than 1 year) but rose sharply afterwards, suggesting that the main mechanism of transmission was horizontal spread. This finding is consistent with other developing country studies from the Pacific Islands and elsewhere. In view of the main ages and mechanisms of transmission of hepatitis B in children in developing countries and the need for simple and inexpensive immunisation strategies in this context, it is recommended that mass vaccination of all infants with hepatitis B vaccine be undertaken in hyperendemic areas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Cancer occurrence in Vanuatu in the South Pacific, 1980-86.

A total of 269 pathologically confirmed carcinoma cases (118 male, 151 female) were recorded in the seven year period 1980 to 1986 in Vanuatu, an island nation within the Melanesia region in the South Pacific. Cervical cancer was numerically the most important malignancy in females (25% of all female cancers). In males, liver cancer was the most commonly observed (14.4% of all male cancers). Almost one-half (44.4%) of the available paraffin blocks from liver carcinoma cases (18 cases) demonstrated positivity of HBV antigens in liver tissue. The most interesting feature was the high proportion of thyroid cancers, especially in females. It represented 12.1 percent of all cancers in female and 5.2 percent in male Melanesians in Vanuatu. These percentages were found to be even higher than among Hawaiians for whom the highest incidence rates in the world have been recorded. Since our study was based solely on pathologically diagnosed cases, the findings should be regarded as minimum estimates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Leprosy in Vanuatu].

Leprosy is commonly thought to have been introduced during the 19th century and can still be considered as a public health problem in Vanuatu. From 1965 to 1984, 651 cases were notified throughout the country, with a total incidence rate of 5.85%. The 1984 survey reported 273 active cases and 190 inactive cases, most of them were paucibacillary cases. Sex ratio H/F is 1.7. Geographical distribution is clustered into two major and two minor foci. Prevalence rate is 2.1%. Annual incidence rate is decreasing with 21 cases in 1985 and 15 cases in 1986. Reported figures are smaller than those reported in the neighbouring countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

[Lymphatic filariasis in Vanuatu].

Lymphatic filariasis, in the Archipelago of Vanuatu, is due to Wuchereria bancrofti. The vector is Anopheles farauti, endophilic mosquito, which transmits also malaria. The level of endemicity was very high in the beginning of this century (microfilariae in blood: 60.9%, elephantiasis: 21%), and has dramatically decline now by detection and treatment of sick people (70 cases in 1986), mass chimioprophylaxis and protection against the vectors. But these actions must be continued to obtain the eradication of filariasis in the Vanuatu.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Survey in Vanuatu on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in children and infants with and without acute diarrhea.

We have studied the incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains isolated from infants with and without diarrheal diseases in Vanuatu, South Pacific. Over a period of 5 months we have isolated enterotoxigenic E. coli strains from 29 (26.6%) of 109 children with acute diarrhea and from 13 (21.6%) of 60 children of the control group. In the group with diarrhea, 7 (6.4%) strains released heat-labile toxin, 7 (6.4%) released heat-stable toxin, and 15 (13.7%) produced both heat-labile and heat-stable toxin. In the control group, only one strain (1.6%) produced heat-stable toxin, 12 (20%) produced heat-labile toxin, and none produced both. Association of strains releasing heat-stable toxin or both heat-labile and heat-stable toxin with diarrhea was highly significant as shown by statistical analysis. The O serogroups and colonization factors CFA/I and CFA/II are presented.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1985

[Prevalence of the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli colonization factors CFA/I, CFA/II and E8775 isolated in the South Pacific (New Caledonia, Republic of Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna)].

We tested the expression of adherence properties of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains isolated in New-Caledonia, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna by examining for the presence of colonization factor E8775 using an agglutination test and an immuno-diffusion technique with specific antisera. Approximately 19% of ETEC strains possessed CFA/I and 21% a CFA/II. The E8775 antigen was found on 1.8% of the strains. This last factor was found on strains of the serogroup 025 from Vanuatu. Two strains 078 usually CFA/I+ possessed a CFA/II and three strains of the serogroup 0126 possessed a CFA/I. The results of this study emphasis the need to continue the search for other mechanisms of adhesion used by ETEC strains without any of the three factors of colonization.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1985

[Regional characteristics of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli serotypes isolated from children with gastroenteritis in the South Pacific (New Caledonia, Vanuatu Republic, Wallis and Futuna].

One hundred and fifty enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) isolated from infants with acute diarrhoeas in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna were examined for serotypes. Twenty serotypes were identified, 5% of E. coli (7 strains) were rough and 8% (12 strains) were untypable. The serotypes 06, 025, and 078 are enterotoxigenic at 100%. The serotypes 027 and 073 classically enterotoxigenic did not produce any enterotoxin. This study opens up a possibility that the predominant enterotoxigenic serotypes in that region of the South Pacific are probably different from the serotypes proposed in the pool of sera to identify ETEC.

Child↗