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PubMed2004

Economic development, income inequality and environmental degradation of fisheries resources in Mauritius.

This article examines how environmental degradation of fisheries resources in the context of Mauritius is linked up with human investment in education, economic growth, and income inequality. Empirical evidence shows that public-sector investment in education promotes economic growth, but at the expense of greater inequality of income. Among the vulnerable groups affected by this type of development process lies the fisherman community. In fact, children of poor families in coastal Mauritius have constrained access to complete school education because of the persistently high opportunity cost involved. Hence, this community is caught up in a vicious circle, as its children or grandchildren would barely be redeployed elsewhere other than in the fisheries sector itself. Such exclusion might account for the overexploitation of marine resources of the island and the accompanying reduction in fish catch over recent years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Metaprotella sandalensis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae): a bioindicator of nutrient enrichment on coral reefs? A preliminary study at Mauritius island.

The population of the caprellid Metaprotella sandalensis Mayer (Crustacea: Amphipoda) associated with the seaweed Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh was studied on a spatial scale in relation to the influence of physico-chemical factors on the coral reef system at Mauritius Island. Some areas of the coast of Mauritius are currently subject to disturbance due to industrialisation and rapidly growing tourist development programmes, meanwhile other sites of the island are still unaltered. T. ornata was sampled at 12 stations, distributed around the whole island to represent the heterogeneous conditions. The density of Metaprotella sandalensis living on T. ornata was measured. The linear regression and the multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation between the densities of the caprellid and the physico-chemical parameters. The highest densities of M. sandalensis were found in the most stressed sites characterised by the highest values of nitrate, phosphate, chemical oxygen demand and silting. According to these results and taking into account that M. sandalensis and T. ornata are widely distributed in most of the tropical ecosystems, we preliminarily propose usage of the density of this caprellid as a new monitoring tool on coral reefs or, at least, as a first diagnosis for the detection of nutrient enrichment on these ecosystems.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Fertility decline in Mauritius: the role of Malthusian population pressure.

Mauritius provides 1 of the outstanding cases of modern fertility reduction in the Third World, yet there has been little analysis and virtually no comparative assessment of this important demographic progression. It is argued that fertility decline in Mauritius has been hindered by cultural composition, assisted only modestly by ongoing development, but aided significantly by family planning program intervention and by a remarkable wide recognition at government and individual levels of the diseconomies associated with population growth in a congested society; comparisons are made with other densely peopled, small islands. Spatial variations in fertility and in family planning activity are slight, but Western economic theories of fertility are found to be helpful in interpreting significant temporal fluctuations.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Progress in the control of schistosomiasis in Mauritius.

Schistosomiasis in Mauritius was mainly dealt with in hospitals and their annexed services until 1988 when a special control programme was started by the Ministry of Health with the technical help of the World Health Organization and the financial assistance of the Theodor Bilharz Foundation (Germany). As only Schistosoma haematobium is present in Mauritius, this consisted of screening for microhaematuria and/or eggs in urine, health education and mollusciciding. All the primary school population, some of the secondary school population, and most of the general population in the foci of infection in the 3 endemic districts of Pamplemousses, Port Louis and Grand Port were screened. There has been a marked reduction in the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the island. In the school population aged 5-11 years, prevalence fell from 0-8.2% in 1988 and 1989 to zero in all the schools surveyed since 1991. The prevalence in the general population fell from an average of 6.6% in 1988 to 0.9% in 1992.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Serum insulin and ECG abnormalities suggesting coronary heart disease in the populations of Mauritius and Nauru: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations.

Cross-sectional associations between insulin and ECG abnormalities suggestive of 'possible' and 'probable' coronary heart disease (CHD) in the populations of Nauru (n = 568) and Mauritius (n = 3280) have been examined in both non-diabetic and diabetic subjects. Additionally, the longitudinal relationship between baseline insulin and incident ECG abnormalities has been explored in non-diabetic Nauruans (n = 177) over 5 years. Age-adjusted mean 2-hour serum insulin was generally higher in subjects with ECG abnormalities than those with a normal ECG, but the difference was significant only for non-diabetic Mauritian men (p < 0.01). There was no clear association between prevalence of ECG abnormalities and quintiles of fasting or 2-hr insulin in Mauritians, and in non-diabetic Nauruans there was a non-significant positive association between prevalence of ECG abnormalities and tertiles of 2-hr insulin. Logistic regression analyses showed a slight positive association between 2-hr insulin and ECG abnormalities in non-diabetic Mauritians (p = 0.06 in males, p = 0.09 in females), and non-diabetic male Nauruans (p = 0.054) independent of possible confounders. Fasting insulin was not associated in any group. In longitudinal analyses in Nauruans there were no significant differences in mean baseline fasting or 2-hr serum insulin between subjects who maintained a normal ECG and those who developed abnormalities consistent with 'possible CHD' (there were no changes suggestive of 'probable CHD'). The incidence of ECG changes suggesting 'possible CHD' was slightly higher in the upper tertile of baseline fasting insulin in both sexes and 2-hr insulin in females, but when other factors were accounted for, multiple logistic regression analyses did not support this finding. Data from the populations of Mauritius and Nauru do not support a major role for serum insulin in ECG abnormalities suggestive of CHD.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The relationship of dissolved Pb to some dissolved trace metals (Al, Cr, Mn, and Zn) and to dissolved nitrate and phosphate in a freshwater aquatic system in Mauritius.

The relationship of some dissolved trace metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Zn, and Pb) with one another and to dissolved phosphate and nitrate in a freshwater aquatic system at Flic en Flac and Grand River North West (GRNW) in Mauritius (1850 km2, 20 degrees S and 57 degrees E, Western Indian ocean) is reported following trace metal determination using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dissolved Al (<200 ng ml(-1)), Cr (<50 ng ml(-1)), Mn (<50 ng ml(-1)), Zn (< 100 ng ml(-1)), and Pb (<50 ng ml(-1)) upstream, downstream GRNW and in the marshes and rivulet at Flic en Flac were found to be below the recommended EEC maximum admissible concentrations and within the ambient drinking water quality standards in Mauritius. Dissolved Pb was significantly positively correlated to both dissolved Cr and Zn suggesting that the cycling for dissolved Pb is linked to the cycling of both dissolved Cr and Zn along GRNW. The common influential cycling of Pb and Zn was further reinforced as both dissolved Pb and Zn were significantly positively correlated to dissolved phosphate, which suggested a biological role in the cycling of Zn and Pb. The role of biological activity or adsorption to biological systems in Pb cycling along GRNW is further suggested as dissolved Pb was significantly correlated to dissolved nitrate. The apparent absence of the dissolved Al, Cr, and Mn with dissolved nitrate and phosphate could be attributed to factors such as the lower sensitivity of the GRNW to metal uptake during biological activity during the time frame considered. The cycling of dissolved Al and Mn was also not linked to the cycling of Cr, Zn, and Pb as no significant correlation was found along GRNW.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2001

Identification and follow-up of children with hearing loss in Mauritius.

Early identification of hearing loss followed by a timely and effective intervention programme for children with hearing impairment is necessary to minimise the negative effects of hearing loss on the development of cognition, psychosocial and verbal communication skills. Such early intervention programmes need to be multidisciplinary, technologically sound and most important, it should take cognizance of the specific context (community, country) in which the child and family function. The main aim of this study is to obtain accurate and reliable baseline information regarding current status of the intervention process for children with hearing loss in Mauritius, a developing country. Questionnaire-based interviews were carried out to obtain information from 37 hearing impaired children's parents regarding the median ages of suspicion of hearing loss, diagnosis and placement of hearing aids. The referral process, diagnosis and the management of these children is also described. The findings indicate that children in the study were identified late (median age 24 months) and that the management process is fragmented. The strengths in the current identification and follow-up process namely, parental involvement and established public service structure are highlighted. The weaknesses in the current system are identified, for example, time lapses in the identification process and the provision of hearing aids and the lack of co-ordinated services. The theoretical and empirical research carried out forms the basis of recommendations that have practical implications for an early intervention programme for children with hearing loss in Mauritius and can possibly function as a prototype for other developing countries.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Infant feeding patterns on Mauritius Island, 1991.

The 1991 Mauritius Contraceptive Prevalence Survey (CPS) included a special module on infant feeding patterns in Mauritius. Since 1985, when a similar CPS was conducted, the incidence of breast-feeding has fallen from 86% to 72%. The duration of any breast-feeding among those breast-fed remained constant at 13.6 months. The module allowed for an assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO) breast-feeding indicators on exclusive breast-feeding, timely complementary feeding and continued breast-feeding. Only 16% of infants 0-3 months old are exclusively breast-fed; only 29% on infants 6-9 months old receive breast milk and complementary foods and only 27% of children 12-15 months are still breast-fed. These patterns of limited breast-feeding and early supplementation may signal future declines in breast-feeding for other African and Asian countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Asthma mortality in Mauritius: 1982-1991.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a common problem in the island of Mauritius and its prevalence seems to be increasing. OBJECTIVE: In order to appreciate the magnitude of the problem, patterns of asthma mortality were studied during a period of 10 years. METHOD: All death certificates issued in the island from 1982 to 1991 were reviewed and all cases of asthma deaths were selected. RESULTS: The global asthma mortality rate was found to be 20/100,000 in 1982, and it decreased to 12/100,000 in 1991. Similarly the asthma death rate for the 0 to 4 year age group decreased from 20/100,000 in 1982 to 5/100,000 in 1991. For the 5 to 34 year age group, it decreased from 2.6/100,000 in 1982 to 1.02/100,000 in 1991. There was no statistically significant difference between the various ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that in a developing country such as Mauritius asthma death rates may be high but may show decreasing trends. Nevertheless, it is generally perceived that the prevalence of the disease is increasing.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Leptin and other components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Mauritius--a factor analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To use factor analysis to examine the putative role of leptin in the Metabolic Syndrome, and to define better the associations among observed variables and the identified factors. DESIGN: Factor analysis of cross-sectional data from a 1987 survey. SUBJECTS: Non-diabetic residents of Mauritius who participated in population-based surveys in 1987 and 1992 (1414 men and 1654 women). MEASUREMENTS: Fasting and 2 h plasma glucose and insulin following a 75 g oral glucose load; seated blood pressure; body mass index (BMI); waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); and fasting serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, leptin and uric acid concentrations. RESULTS: Principal components factor analysis revealed three factors for men and women that explained between 54 and 55% of the observed variance of the 12 measured variables. General features of these factors were as follows: factor 1, WHR, BMI, leptin, fasting and 2 h insulin, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol; factor 2, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, uric acid (men only), and fasting glucose (women only); and factor 3, fasting and 2 h glucose and insulin. Only three variables loaded on more than one factor with a loading > or = 0.4 (fasting and 2 h insulin, fasting glucose in women only). Leptin loaded on one factor only in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Since multiple factors underlie the Metabolic Syndrome, and since no observed variable loads on all three factors, more than one mechanism might account for the observed clustering of risk characteristics. Leptin does not unite features of this syndrome due to its loading on one factor only. Uric acid is related to a different factor in men and women. The absence of gender differences in factor loadings argues for similar mechanisms for the Metabolic Syndrome in men and women in Mauritius. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 126-131

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Indoor biological contaminants and symptoms of sick building syndrome in office buildings in Mauritius.

This study was carried out to investigate possible relationship between bio-contaminants and symptoms of sick building syndrome among office workers in Mauritius. Viable microbial colonies were collected using a Casella slit sampler in 23 selected indoor office buildings. A questionnaire survey as well as a walk through investigation was undertaken. Physico-chemical measurements were also monitored in the selected offices. Results of this study showed that number of indoor bacterial bioaerosol concentrations ranged between 3 and 1110 CFU/m(3) while fungal counts were 0-196 CFU/m(3). However, most of the buildings showed absence of dust mites. In conclusions fungal contamination was found to be associated with the onset of sick building syndrome symptoms among workers in office buildings in Mauritius.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ethnic differences in ischaemic heart disease and stroke mortality in Mauritius between 1989 and 1994.

OBJECTIVE: To measure ethnic differences in overall, cardiovascular, ischaemic heart disease and stroke mortality in the Republic of Mauritius. DESIGN: Analysis of vital registration mortality data from 1989 to 1994 among Hindus, Muslims, Chinese and Creoles, aged 30-64 years, presented as age-standardized mortality rates, proportional mortality ratios and standardized mortality ratios. RESULTS: During the six year period of analysis 10,657 deaths were recorded in men and 5008 in women. Mortality rates from ischaemic heart disease in Mauritian men are above the average of those found elsewhere. Ischaemic heart disease mortality in women and stroke mortality in both sexes are among the highest recorded in the world. Due to large ethnic differences in overall mortality, which could not be explained by the uncertainty about the exact population size by ethnic group, proportional mortality ratios are an inadequate measure of differential mortality between ethnic groups. 'Best' estimates of standardized mortality ratios indicate that in comparison to Hindus as the 'standard' population: (i) Creole women have lower ischaemic heart disease (by 34%) and stroke (by 22%) mortality; (ii) Creole women have lower ischaemic heart disease mortality (by 19%); (iii) Muslim men have lower stroke mortality (by 51%) and similar ischaemic heart disease mortality; (iv) Chinese men and women have markedly lower ischaemic heart disease (by 48% and 70%, respectively) and stroke mortality (by 54% and 48%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The mortality rates of ischaemic heart disease and stroke of all ethnic groups in Mauritius, with the exception of the small Chinese ethnic minority, are very high by international standards. This pleads against differential allocation of resources for prevention strategies despite considerable differences in mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases between ethnic groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in the multiethnic population of Mauritius.

This study examines the prevalence of, and risk factors for, diabetic retinopathy in Asian Indian, Chinese, and Creole Mauritians in whom there is an increasing prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). As part of a population-based survey on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius in 1992, glucose tolerance was classified using a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test on 6,553 persons. Subjects with newly diagnosed (n = 358) or known diabetes (n = 388), and a random sample of one in four subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (n = 165), had stereoscopic 45 degrees retinal photographs taken of three fields in the right eye after mydriasis. Photographs were graded according to a modified version of the Airlie House criteria. The prevalence of nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy was: 14.5% and 0.3%, respectively, in newly diagnosed diabetic subjects; 42.0% and 2.3%, respectively, in known diabetic subjects; and 9.1% and 0%, respectively, in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. Muslim Indians had the lowest prevalence of retinopathy (10.8% and 34.0% for new and known diabetes, respectively), but after adjusting for other factors, this was significantly different only to Creoles (18.8% and 53.8%, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between diabetic subjects with and without retinopathy in mean age, body mass index, fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, serum creatinine, and urinary albumin levels. For known diabetes, mean duration of diabetes and the proportion using insulin were also greater in those with retinopathy. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression confirmed that increasing duration of diabetes, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, and urinary albumin concentration, and decreasing body mass index, were independently associated with retinopathy. The high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy observed in all major ethnic groups in Mauritius portends a serious public health problem, given the relative recency of the NIDDM epidemic in that country and the limited resources for laser photocoagulation. Strategies to minimize this problem among those already known to have diabetes should include strict control of plasma glucose and blood pressure.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Occupational status and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the rapidly developing, high-risk population of Mauritius.

This study examined the relation between occupation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 2,795 individuals between ages 35 and 54 years from the rapidly developing island nation of Mauritius. Participants attended a 1992 population-based survey of noncommunicable disease (89.1 % response rate). Occupational status, physical activity in the previous year, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption were assessed by questionnaire. Anthropometric and metabolic measures included body mass index (kg/m2),waist-to-hip ratio, fasting serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), triglycerides, 2-hour postload plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations, and blood pressure. In comparison with professional/skilled workers, age-adjusted means of insulin and glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly (p < 0.05) lower, and the age-adjusted mean for high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher for unskilled men. In women, risk factors other than LDL cholesterol varied significantly (p < 0.05) across occupational categories, with homemakers tending to have the least favorable profile. Unskilled workers reported significantly more physical activity (p < 0.01), alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking (men only) (p < 0.05) than did the other groups. Adjustment for multiple covariates revealed an independent association between occupational status and most CVD risk factors, with physical activity attenuating this association. These results elucidate mediating behaviors of CVD risk across occupational categories that could be applied to intervention strategies in Mauritius.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

High incidence of type 2 diabetes and increasing conversion rates from impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes in Mauritius.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of different stages of glucose intolerance in a population from Mauritius followed over 11 years. RESEARCH DESIGN, METHODS AND SUBJECTS: Population-based surveys were undertaken in the multi-ethnic nation of Mauritius in 1987, 1992 and 1998 with 5083, 6616 and 6291 participants, respectively. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were included. Three cohorts aged between 25 and 79 years with classifiable glucose tolerance data were identified; 3680 between 1987 and 1992, 4178 between 1992 and 1998, and 2631 between 1987 and 1998. Glucose tolerance was classified according to WHO 1999 criteria. RESULTS: The incidence rate of type 2 diabetes was higher between 1992 and 1998 than between 1987 and 1992. In men, the incidence was similar between cohorts (24.5 and 25.4 per 1000 person-years) whereas the incidence increased in women (23.3 and 16.4 per 1000 person-years). The incidence of diabetes peaked in the 45-54 year age group and then plateaued or fell. The incidences of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) decreased in both men and women. Of normoglycaemic subjects at baseline, more women than men developed IGT and more men than women developed IFG. Of those labelled as IFG in 1987, 38% developed diabetes after 11 years. The corresponding figure for IGT was 46%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we report changes in incidence rates of glucose intolerance over a 11-year period. In particular, differences between men and women were observed. The increased incidence of IGT in women compared with men, and increased incidence of IFG in men compared with women was consistent with, and explains the sex biases seen in the prevalences of these states.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Patterns of coccidial prevalence in lizards of Mauritius.

This paper reports prevalence of coccidial oocysts in fecal samples from 6 endemic and 2 introduced lizard species on Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Total coccidian prevalence was 54% (n = 341) for the endemic 'ornate day gecko,' Phelsuma ornata; 48% (n = 159) for the endemic 'Durrell's night gecko,' Nactus durrelli; 53% (n = 15) for the endemic 'Serpent Island night gecko,' N. serpensinsula; and 78% (n = 248) for the introduced gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus. These high prevalences may reflect lack of long-lasting immune response to coccidial infection. There were few significant differences in prevalence among age, island, sex, or body condition within species, suggesting that these coccidia are relatively nonpathogenic and have little effect on host fitness. Prevalence was higher in the dry season than the wet season. These data suggest other factors, such as low host immune response to reinfection, affect overall prevalence more significantly than the effect of humidity on oocyst survival on Mauritius. No coccidia were found in samples from the endemic 'Gunner's Quoin night gecko,' N. coindemirensis (n = 155), probably reflecting parasite extinction due to a host population bottleneck following historical introduction of rats. There was no evidence of competitive or facilitative interactions between Eimeria sp. and Isospora sp., but evidence of competition between 2 Eimeria species in the 'ornate day gecko,' Phelsuma ornata. No evidence was found of cross-species infection, suggesting that reptile coccidia have high host specificity and are, therefore, poor subjects for studies of parasite-mediated competition and the evolution of sex.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

High prevalence of NIDDM and impaired glucose tolerance in Indian, Creole, and Chinese Mauritians. Mauritius Noncommunicable Disease Study Group.

Mauritius, a multiethnic island nation in the southwestern Indian Ocean, has one of the world's highest diabetes mortality rates. The prevalence of both impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was investigated in 5080 Muslim and Hindu Indian, Creole (mixed African, European, and Indian origin), and Chinese Mauritian adults aged 25-74 yr who were selected by random cluster sampling. Based on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and World Health Organization criteria, the age-standardized prevalence of IGT was significantly greater in women (19.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 18.1-21.2) than in men (11.7%, CI 10.5-12.8). By contrast, the prevalence of NIDDM was similar in men (12.1%, CI 10.9-13.4) and women (11.7%, CI 10.5-12.8) for all ethnic groups combined. The sex difference in IGT prevalence was seen in all ethnic groups, but for NIDDM, the sex difference was not consistent across ethnic groups. However, age- and sex-standardized prevalence of IGT and NIDDM was remarkably similar across ethnic groups (16.2 and 12.4% in Hindu Indians, 15.3 and 13.3% in Muslim Indians, 17.5 and 10.4% in Creoles, and 16.6 and 11.9% in Chinese, respectively). Three new cases of diabetes were diagnosed for every two known cases. The high prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance in Indian subjects is consistent with studies of other migrant Indian communities, but the findings in Creole and, in particular, Chinese subjects are unexpected. Potent environmental factors shared between ethnic groups in Mauritius may be responsible for the epidemic of glucose intolerance.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Hajj-related Neisseria meningitidis serogroup w135 in Mauritius.

Meningococcal disease is rare in Mauritius; only one case was reported from 1992 to 1999. However, since June 2000, four cases have occurred. Epidemiologic information and typing results indicate that these recent cases probably followed the introduction of Neisseria meningitidis W135 in Mauritius by pilgrims returning from the Hajj in 2000 and 2001.

Adult↗