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Biomedical subjects

F Y Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to F Y Johnson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Cross-cultural analysis of eventfulness in the lives of people with schizophrenia.

Eventfulness as a strategy for creating a meaningful life is an important component of the attempts of people with schizophrenia to present a positive self-image. This study of patients with schizophrenia shows that the phenomenon of creating eventfulness through normalcy accounts is relevant cross-culturally, with common themes occurring in the speech of participants from Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Both patient (n = 23) and nonpatient (n = 27) participants from these two countries were interviewed as part of a larger research project. Conversational speech of participants was analyzed for passages that could be defined as normalcy accounts. A total of 61 such accounts were obtained from the conversational samples. The three most common themes of normalcy accounts (educational achievement and goals, national pride, and travel) were characteristic of the self-presentation of nonpatient subjects as well as patients with schizophrenia. Normalcy themes varied slightly depending on nationality and patient or nonpatient status. The similarity of both normalcy account themes and presentation, however, was remarkably consistent across cultures.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Child abuse in Papua New Guinea.

This paper is a report on two children who suffered severe abuse including sexual abuse who were referred to the Port Moresby General Hospital for consultation and treatment. Two case reports are discussed on the basis of literature review of Child Abuse in Papua New Guinea. This is followed by conclusion and recommendations for preventing child abuse in Papua New Guinea.

Child↗
PubMed1998

A study of substance abuse on two campuses of University of Papua New Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Recent research reports indicate that there is a substantial amount of substance abuse on the campuses of the University of Papua New Guinea. OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency and quantity of alcohol and drug abuse on the two campuses of the University of Papua New Guinea in the National Capital District. METHODS: A purposely designed questionnaire was used to collect data randomly on a total of 90 subjects (45 from each campus). The data was subjected to computer analysis. RESULTS: The results show that abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs is prevalent on the two campuses of the University of Papua New Guinea. CONCLUSION: The results will form the basis of recommendations for substance abuse prevention, through information and education of the University students and staff members.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1997

Ward Six Psychiatric Unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital: a historical review and admission statistics from 1980 to 1989.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the acute psychiatric service offered by the Ward Six Psychiatric Unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital by means of admission statistics. METHODS: The study was designed to cover the period 1980 to 1989, for which reliable medical records were available. Data were collected on the total number of psychiatric admissions per year, diagnostic classification, occupation, province of origin of the patients, age and sex. A brief history of Psychiatric Ward Six is added. RESULTS: The results showed that the total number of admissions to Ward Six from 1980 to 1989 was 725. There were 462 (64%) male and 263 (36%) female patients. The ratio of male to female patients was 1.8 to 1.0. Diagnostic classification of the patients was done by the International Classification of Diseases (Ninth Edition). The most common diagnosis was schizophrenia with 358 patients (49%). The majority (63%) of the patients were unemployed. A large number of the patients, 295 (41%), were from Central Province. The young age group 21-30 years accounted for 267 (37%) of the patients. The mean annual incidence for the ten-year period of the study was 5.4 patients per 10,000 population. There was an increase in the annual incidence from 3.6 per 10,000 population in 1983 to 7.9 per 10,000 population in 1989. CONCLUSION: In developing countries, including Papua New Guinea, hospital utilization studies and statistics provide an initial source of information. These may be followed later with community surveys and field surveys when more resources including funding become available.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Antisaccadic eye movements and attentional asymmetry in schizophrenia in three Pacific populations.

Antisaccadic eye movements were examined in 50 patients with schizophrenia and in 77 controls in three Pacific populations, namely New Zealand, Palau and Papua New Guinea. Despite the great biocultural variation encompassed by these three populations, schizophrenic patients made significantly more antisaccadic-errors than controls (36% vs. 13%), as has been demonstrated previously in other populations. This neurocognitive deficit may be consistent with frontal lobe dysfunction in schizophrenia. In addition, patients with schizophrenia made significantly more errors than expected when the target was presented in the right visual field (RVF). This trend was observed in patients from all three study areas, and was not seen in any of the control populations. Antisaccadic test performance in schizophrenia may be influenced by lateralized (left hemisphere) neuroanatomical impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Eye movements and schizophrenia in Papua New Guinea: qualitative analyses with case histories.

Smooth pursuit eye movement dysfunction is a psychophysiological and genetic marker for schizophrenia seen in 50-80% of patients and in about 40% of their first-degree relatives. In this study, we qualitatively assessed the smooth pursuit eye movements of 33 psychiatric patients (including 32 diagnosed with schizophrenia) and 30 control subjects in the Port Moresby area of Papua New Guinea. Brief case histories of each patient were also reviewed. Using a conservative estimate of smooth pursuit dysfunction, we found that 42% of the psychiatric patients had the marker, compared to 10% of the controls. Specific eye movement abnormalities were also much more common among the patients. A patient who had previously 'run amok' and another who was a cargo cultist had smooth pursuit dysfunction; a patient whose psychotic symptoms may have been due to cerebral malaria did not have the marker. Highland and coastal patients were similar in their expression of the marker. This study, the first of its kind done outside of large-scale, urbanized societies, provides further evidence for a common biological basis for schizophrenia in biologically and culturally diverse populations worldwide.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in Papua New Guinea.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is characterized by (a) onset usually in childhood and adolescence between 2 and 15 years of age, (b) violent facial tics and coprolalia, (c) increased excitability and apathy, (d) progressive increase in the intensity of symptoms, and (e) a chronic course. The syndrome is three times more common in males than in females. It is no longer considered the rarity it used to be, with a reported frequency of 1 to 5 per 10,000 population in western countries. This paper is the first report of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in Papua New Guinea. The family history method and the family study method were used for this study after the index patient had been identified. The case report is presented with a diagram of the pedigree of the extended family of the index patient. A total of four cases of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome were reported in three generations of the extended family. In conclusion, further clinical and genetic research (including twin studies) into Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is recommended in Papua New Guinea.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Clinical observations on substance abuse related health problems at the Port Moresby General Hospital, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.

This article documents the first clinical observations on substance abuse related health problems from Papua New Guinea. Data were collected and presented on 30 young Melanesians (28 males and two females) who were admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital with health problems directly associated with substance (alcohol, cannabis and diazepam) abuse. The patients were aged between 15 and 35 years. The male to female ratio was 14 to 1. The author arrived at the conclusion that substance abuse related health problems which were noted to be absent in 1981, are now on the increase in Papua New Guinea. Further clinical research followed by health education for the youth of the country is recommended as an important task for all health workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Psychiatric aspects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and sexually transmitted disease (STD): an overview.

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the psychiatric aspects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and sexually transmitted disease (STD) under the following subheadings: AIDS-related complex, AIDS hypochondriasis, AIDS dementia complex, AIDS and increased risk of suicide, psychiatric aspects of STD, and implications for the management of patients. The psychiatric aspects of HIV infection and AIDS include problems of adjustment to a diagnosis with a stigma and the threat of death, reactive depression and potential risk of suicide, personality disorder, AIDS-related complex (ARC), and AIDS-related dementia. The paper gives an overview of clinical, neuropathological and psychopathological experience in other countries with relevant examples from Papua New Guinea if available. STDs are mentioned because HIV transmission in Papua New Guinea is mostly by heterosexual means. The paper concludes by emphasizing the psychiatric principles of management of HIV-infected/AIDS/STD patients, which include pharmacotherapy but are always based on supportive psychotherapy and counselling.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Deliberate self-harm by means of kerosene fire by women in Papua New Guinea.

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the psychosocial and sociodemographic factors relating to 10 females admitted to the Burns Unit of the Port Moresby General Hospital with a common diagnosis of deliberate self-inflicted burns by kerosene fire. All 10 patients were admitted during the first six months of 1990 and all originated from Gulf Province. 6 of the 10 patients died despite intensive, standard surgical management. Discussion of the results centres around the possible causes of the sudden increase in the number of patients presenting with burns caused by self-inflicted kerosene fire. Recommendations are made for some preventive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Manic episode secondary to cryptococcal meningitis in a previously healthy adult.

A case of a manic episode secondary to cryptococcal meningitis is reported. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common cause of chronic meningitis in adults in Papua New Guinea and may rarely present with features of functional psychosis. Laboratory investigations on the cerebrospinal fluid such as the India ink smear and fungal culture for the detection of the organism and the latex agglutination test to detect the cryptococcal antigen are invaluable aids for making the correct diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

CAGE and the Brief MAST study of alcohol use and misuse by medical students in Papua New Guinea.

This article reports a comparative study of alcohol use and misuse among Papua New Guinea medical students in their second, third, fourth and fifth years of undergraduate study using CAGE and the Brief MAST. The study instrument was divided into three parts, namely Part A for collecting demographic data, Part B comprising the four CAGE questions and Part C comprising the ten-item Brief MAST. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed to each year group separately by one of the two investigators (FYAJ or LI). Each year group took about ten minutes to complete the questionnaires. A total of 98 completed questionnaires were returned (41 out of 42 in the second year; 18 out of 22 in the third year; 21 out of 26 in the fourth year, and 18 out of 18 in the fifth year). This gives a total response rate of 98 out of 108 (90.7%). The collected data were evaluated by statistical analysis. The results are presented in Tables 1 to 6.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A comparative study of alcohol-related problems among a group of university students and a group of clerks in the National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.

This article reports a comparative study of alcohol-related problems in two groups of Papua New Guinean youth. The first group consists of 25 undergraduate students of the University of Papua New Guinea. The second group consists of 25 staff members of the Post and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC). The research subjects in both groups were selected at random. The instrument used for the study is the Brief (10 item questions) Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Demographic data including age, sex, educational status, marital status and province of origin were also collected using a purpose designed questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed and compared between the two groups using chi-square statistical analysis. The findings and results point to the following conclusions: (a) Alcohol-related problems are more common among the clerks than among the students, but the differences are not statistically significant; (b) alcohol-related health problems (medical and neuropsychiatric complications) were not reported in the study sample; and (c) further surveys on larger samples using the Brief MAST were recommended for early detection of alcohol-related problems. The results could form a basis for future alcohol education programmes.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1990

An epidemiological survey of alcohol and drug abuse in the national capital district of Papua New Guinea.

There is a dearth of publication on alcohol and drug abuse from Papua New Guinea in the international medical literature. This article is a report on a cross-sectional study of attitudes and problems related to alcohol and drug abuse in the NCD of Papua New Guinea. The instrument used is a questionnaire which was previously used by the author to study 'Attitudes of Nigerian Medical Students towards Use and Abuse of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs'. A second instrument is the Brief Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). The two questionnaires were administered to a cross-section of university students and office workers. The fifty completed questionnaires which were returned were statistically analyzed and the results form the basis of this article. The results showed that both the student and clerical groups were moderately involved in substance abuse (alcohol and drugs, especially cannabis).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a review of the literature and report on nine cases seen in Papua New Guinea.

In 1980 the American Psychiatric Association published the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-III). The DSM-III introduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a new diagnostic category in psychiatry. This provided firstly a framework for studying the consequences of extremely stressful life events, and secondly it has stimulated a substantial number of research publications in this area. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on PTSD and to report nine cases seen in Papua New Guinea over a period of nine months.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The first hundred referrals to a new consultation-liaison psychiatric service at the Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.

Research workers in Africa have shown that psychiatric morbidity is widespread, with prevalence rates ranging between 20 and 50% of the primary health care clinic attendance. In September 1987 a new consultation-liaison psychiatric service was started at the Port Moresby General Hospital. The results of a descriptive study of the first hundred referrals to the service are presented and discussed. The sources of referral were internal medicine (83%), general surgery (11%) and obstetrics and gynaecology (6%). There were no referrals from the division of paediatrics in this study. It was concluded that the results have demonstrated acceptance of the consultation-liaison psychiatric service by non-psychiatric specialist colleagues.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Prevention and management of problems related to alcohol abuse in Papua New Guinea through primary health care.

This study is designed to answer three questions: 1) What is the situation in Papua New Guinea today with respect of the use and abuse of alcohol? 2) What are the existing programmes for the prevention and management of problems related to alcohol abuse in PNG? 3) Are the existing programmes of prevention and management integrated into the primary health care system or do they operate separately? The instrument for the study is a questionnaire which was adapted and modified from a World Health Organization sponsored workshop on prevention and management of alcohol and drug abuse problems in Africa held in September 1985 in Lagos. The questionnaires were administered to two groups of Papua New Guineans. The first group comprised community and religious leaders attending a workshop on alcohol education held in Lae in February 1988. The second group consisted of mental health nurses and general nurses working in the capitals of the nineteen provinces and the National Capital District of PNG. The questionnaires were administered to the second group personally or by post. The completed questionnaires were statistically analyzed and form the basis of this article. Legal drinking of alcohol for all mature Papua New Guineans started in 1962 when the law on prohibition was repealed. 'In the twenty years since drinking of alcoholic beverages by everyone of legal majority was allowed in Papua New Guinea, a rather clear-cut national style of alcohol use has developed. This style, if continued, points in a disturbing direction. It will lead to a number of serious problems that can be predicted with assurance because they have occurred in many other parts of the world where similar drinking styles exist.'

Alcoholic Beverages↗