a regional initiative to reduce skin infections amongst aboriginal children living in remote communities of the northern territory, australia区域计划减少皮肤感染在北领地的土著孩子生活在偏远地区,澳大利亚.pdfVIP

A Regional Initiative to Reduce Skin Infections amongst Aboriginal Children Living in Remote Communities of the Northern Territory, Australia 1 1 2 3 4 1 Ross M. Andrews *, Therese Kearns , Christine Connors , Colin Parker , Kylie Carville , Bart J. Currie , Jonathan R. Carapetis1 1 Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 2 Northern Territory Department of Health and Families, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 3 Australasian College of Dermatologists, Boronia Park, New South Wales, Australia, 4 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Abstract Background: Linked to extreme rates of chronic heart and kidney disease, pyoderma is endemic amongst Aboriginal children in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT). Many of those with pyoderma will also have scabies. We report the results of a community-based collaboration within the East Arnhem Region, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of both skin infections in Aboriginal children. Methodology/Principal Findings: Commencing September 2004, we conducted an ecological study that included active surveillance for skin infections amongst children aged ,15 years in five remote East Arnhem communities over a three year period. Screening was undertaken by trained local community workers, usually accompanied by another project team member, using a standard data collection form. Skin infections were diagnosed clinically with the aid of a pictorial flip chart developed for the purpose. Topical 5% permethrin was provided for age-eligible children and all household contacts whenever scabies was diagnosed, whilst those with pyoderma were referre