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Results for “Northern Territory”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

The epidemiology of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections in children under five years of age in the Northern Territory: a three-year study.

A survey of all episodes of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections that were diagnosed over a three-year period in children seen at the regional hospitals of the Northern Territory has found a significantly (P less than 0.001) higher incidence in children in Central Australia (the Alice Springs and Barkly regions, and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands) than in the Top End (the Darwin, East Arnhem and Katherine regions), and a greater incidence in Aboriginal than in non-Aboriginal children. Identified risk factors for Aboriginal children were infancy (more than 70% of cases occurred before 12 months of age), sex (with a predominance in girls) and residence in Central Australia; the estimated annual incidence for Central Australian Aboriginal children was 991 cases per 100,000 children. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.62) between the total number of cases diagnosed each month in Central Australia and the mean monthly temperatures recorded in Alice Springs. Whereas virtually all cases of invasive H. influenzae infection in non-Aboriginal children were caused by type b strains, strains other than type b caused 15% of the cases in Aboriginal children. The possibilities for prevention by immunization are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Funding of Northern Territory public hospitals.

The Northern Territory is Australia's third largest jurisdiction by land mass but it is the smallest by population. By proportion it accommodates the largest number of Aboriginal people who suffer the greatest burden of disease with high morbidity, mortality, admission rates and lengths of stay. Output based funding by DRG is based on the "typical" Australian population which is not that of the Northern Territory. The NT has had to significantly modify its approach to funding to meet the needs of its population. The current funding method based on detailed analyses of clinical data with small numbers may be inappropriate where simpler methods tailored to the NT population could suffice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Survey for hydatidosis in cattle bred in the northern region of the Northern Territory of Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hydatidosis occurs in cattle bred in the northern region of the Northern Territory. DESIGN: A survey utilising two stage sampling was designed to provide 95% confidence of detecting hydatids in cattle with a herd prevalence of 10% and animal prevalence of 10%. PROCEDURE: For a 1 year abattoir killing season, lesions from the liver and/or lung were collected from 4348 cattle being slaughtered at a Northern Territory abattoir and examined for hydatid cysts. The origin of cattle was established through identification of the brand. RESULTS: Sample sizes of 41 or more Northern Territory bred cattle were achieved for each of 29 properties. No hydatid cysts were found in cattle bred in the northern region of the Northern Territory. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that a cycle of hydatid transmission does not occur in the northern region of the Northern Territory.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1993

An outbreak of epidemic polyarthritis (Ross River virus disease) in the Northern Territory during the 1990-1991 wet season.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of a large outbreak of epidemic polyarthritis in the Northern Territory during the wet season of 1990-1991. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Arbovirus cases notified to the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services by general practitioners and local laboratories between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Date and place of infection, age, sex and symptoms. RESULTS: Doctors in the Northern Territory notified 368 cases; another 14 were infected interstate. The epidemic started in September, peaked in January and tailed off in April. The highest attack rates occurred in the rural areas of Jabiru, Litchfield Shire and Katherine. Those most affected were 30-34 year olds. Children, the elderly and Aboriginal people were under-represented. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemic polyarthritis is a wet season problem in the Northern Territory, affecting the rural towns and districts more than the cities. Pre-planned mosquito control measures (effective water drainage and larval control) limited the extent of the 1990-1991 epidemic in Darwin City and Palmerston. The low attack rate in children reflects asymptomatic and less clinically severe infections. The under-representation of Aboriginal people may be the result of infection occurring earlier in life. A related cross-sectional seroprevalence survey has shown that rural Aboriginal people across all age groups have a significantly higher seropositive rate than urban non-Aboriginal residents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Death, dying, and euthanasia: Australia versus the Northern Territory.

The purpose of this article is to explain what has happened in the euthanasia debate in the Australian States and Territories, and to give a more detailed account of how the Northern Territory's euthanasia laws were overturned by the Federal Government. Dr. Fleming begins with a review of euthanasia legislation in each State and Territory, then proceeds with an analysis of the events in the Northern Territory leading to reversal of its euthanasia laws, and includes the effect of the euthanasia law on the Aboriginal people. He concludes that the repeal of the 1995 Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act was a significant setback for the pro-euthanasia movement not only in Australia, but worldwide.

Australia↗
PubMed1977

Isolation of Sindbis (alphavirus) and Leanyer viruses from mosquitoes collected in the Northern Territory of Australia, 1974.

Mosquitoes collected near Darwin, Northern Territory, in 1974 yielded two virus strains. One was identified as Sindbis virus, not previously isolated from the Northern Territory. The other is antigenically distinct from viruses previously isolated from arthropods in Australia, and the name "Leanyer" is proposed for it. Its properties suggest that it may be a togavirus serologically unrelated to available alphaviruses and flaviviruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

The establishment, progress and success of the Northern Territory's Aboriginal Health Worker training scheme.

The Northern Territory Health Service has been training Aboriginal Health Workers to perform primary health care since the late 1960s. They are now an integral part of the health team and are helping to shape one of the great success stories currently taking place in the health field in the Northern Territory. A 13-minute film based on recent activities of Health Workers at Millingimbi in Northern Arnhem Land will be shown. In this and other Aboriginal communities, responsibility for primary health care has been transferred to Aboriginal Health Workers with professional staff being withdrawn, and acting in a resource role when required.

Australia↗
PubMed1978

Syphilis in Australian aborigines in the northern territory.

A marked increase in the incidence of syphilis in Australian Aborigines in the Northern Territory has occurred in recent years. A total of 287 syphilis notifications relating to Aborigines in the north west of the Northern Territory during the 12-month period from June, 1976, to May, 1977, are analysed. An outline of how the Northern Territory Medical Service plans to deal with the situation is described.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory of Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory with particular reference to risk factors, range of injuries, microorganisms isolated from wounds, and surgical management; and to make recommendations for optimal treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING: The case notes of patients treated at the Royal Darwin Hospital within the last decade were reviewed retrospectively. Autopsy and newspaper reports for the same period were also reviewed. RESULTS: There were 16 reported crocodile attacks in Northern Territory waters from June 1981 to June 1991. Four of these were fatal. Most attacks resulted from swimming or wading in shallow water (13/16). Half the victims were known to be affected by alcohol. The majority of attacks occurred in failing light or at night (10/16). Injuries in survivors ranged from minor lacerations and puncture wounds to major abdominal, chest and limb trauma. Death in fatal attacks was caused by transection of the torso or decapitation. Microorganisms isolated from wound swabs included Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Aeromonas and Clostridium species. CONCLUSIONS: Most attacks in this series could have been prevented by taking adequate precautions. The treatment of crocodile injuries must include (i) adequate wound cultures, (ii) antitetanus prophylaxis, (iii) meticulous wound debridement, (iv) appropriate broad spectrum prophylactic antibiotics and (v) allowing healing by secondary intention or delayed primary closure where appropriate.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis B virus markers in children and staff in Northern Territory schools.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children and staff at Northern Territory schools. DESIGN: Children in Years 5-7 in 24 selected primary schools were invited, with parental consent, to provide demographic and ethnic details, and a capillary blood sample for tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). School staff participated on a similar basis. PARTICIPANTS: 1104 children, comprising 556 from ethnic groups (originating from the United Kingdom, Ireland and northern Europe) previously reported as "low HBV prevalence", 439 Aboriginal Australians, and 109 from "other" ethnic groups (originating from Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and southern Europe); and 209 school staff, comprising 180 from "low HBV prevalence" ethnic groups, and 29 from Aboriginal and other ethnic groups. RESULTS: Prior HBV infection (i.e. serum positive for HBsAg or anti-HBs) was detected in 28.7% of children (46.9% of 439 Aborigines; 13.7% of the 556 children from the "low prevalence" groups and 32.1% of the 109 from the "other" groups). HBsAg was detected in 8.2% of Aboriginal children, in 0.36% of those from "low prevalence" groups, and in 1.8% of those from the "other" groups. Aboriginal children in rural schools had the highest prevalence of HBV: 5.4% were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs, and an additional 9.8% were positive for HBsAg alone. In urban schools, the prevalence was highest in the "other" ethnic groups. For school staff, the prevalence of HBV infection was 12.8% for those from "low prevalence" ethnic groups, and 37.9% for those from all remaining groups (including Aborigines). CONCLUSION: In the Northern Territory the prevalence of past HBV infection is high in children and school staff from ethnic groups previously known to be at higher risk of HBV infection. For students and staff from ethnic backgrounds expected to be at low risk, HBV prevalence is greater than in individuals from similar backgrounds in other parts of Australia. HBV vaccination is now offered to all infants in the Northern Territory. These results also provide a rationale for the more widespread use of HBV vaccine in other situations where significant HBV transmission might occur.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Dengue or Kokobera? A case report from the top end of the Northern Territory.

In early April 1998, the Centre for Disease Control in Darwin was notified of a possible case of dengue which appeared to have been acquired in the Northern Territory. Because dengue is not endemic to the Northern Territory, locally acquired infection has significant public health implications, particularly for vector identification and control to limit the spread of infection. Dengue IgM serology was positive on two occasions, but the illness was eventually presumptively identified as Kokobera infection. This case illustrates the complexity of interpreting flavivirus serology. Determining the cause of infection requires consideration of the clinical illness, the incubation period, the laboratory results and vector presence. Waiting for confirmation of results, before the institution of the public health measures necessary for a true case of dengue, was ultimately justified in this case. This is a valid approach in the Northern Territory, but may not be applicable to areas of Australia with established vectors for dengue.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Rotavirus gastroenteritis in the Northern Territory, 1995-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To present data on rotavirus notifications in the Northern Territory to provide knowledge about the local epidemiology of rotavirus gastroenteritis that can be used to inform the use and funding of rotavirus vaccines. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from the Northern Territory Notifiable Diseases Database. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Patients with cases of rotavirus infection notified to the NT Centre for Disease Control from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patterns of rotavirus notifications over time; infection rates in Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children aged 0-5 years; age groups infected with rotavirus. RESULTS: Numbers of rotavirus notifications over the period 1995-2004 show annual, monthly and regional variability. The rotavirus notification rate for Indigenous children aged 0-5 years was 2.75 per 100 per year, compared with 0.98 for non-Indigenous children, with a relative risk for Indigenous children of 2.17 (95% CI, 1.97-2.39) over the 10 years. Indigenous children infected with rotavirus were younger than non-Indigenous children, with median ages of 11 months and 16 months, respectively. Rotavirus gastroenteritis occurred in outbreaks, transmitted over months throughout the NT. CONCLUSION: Large numbers of cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis affecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in the NT are notified every year. The rate in Indigenous children may be decreasing relative to non-Indigenous children. An effective rotavirus vaccine could prevent significant morbidity.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2004

The changing role of the emergency department in the Northern Territory: a Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changing role of EDs in Northern Territory hospitals. METHODS: A two-round Delphi study was undertaken by recruiting a panel of health professionals from the EDs of the five Northern Territory public hospitals. Participants in round one were asked to list changes they have encountered and how these changes have affected health service delivery, as well as five factors that were responsible for the changes. During the second round they prioritized the factors identified in order of importance. RESULTS: Twenty-four ED staff returned their questionnaire. Global changes identified were more verbal/physical abuse from patients, followed by increase in acuity of patient presentations. The most important factor perceived as responsible for the changes was budget cuts, resulting in fewer inpatient beds, an increase in access block and sicker patients being discharged too early. CONCLUSION: The Delphi evaluation provided insights into the problems facing the ED from the staff perspective and offered some suggestions to deal with the emerging issues.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Common health problems in Northern Territory aboriginal children.

Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory suffer health problems similar to children in Third World countries. The major problems are malnutrition, diarrhoeal disease and respiratory tract infections. Infections in all systems are common and low birth weight due in significant part to poor growth in utero is a major problem in the newborn period.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Burden of disease and injury in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in the Northern Territory.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the burden of disease and injury for the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in the Northern Territory. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of Northern Territory data for 1 January 1994 to 30 December 1998 from multiple sources. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), by age, sex, cause and Aboriginality. RESULTS: Cardiovascular disease was the leading contributor (14.9%) to the total burden of disease and injury in the NT, followed by mental disorders (14.5%) and malignant neoplasms (11.2%). There was also a substantial contribution from unintentional injury (10.4%) and intentional injury (4.9%). Overall, the NT Aboriginal population had a rate of burden of disease 2.5 times higher than the non-Aboriginal population; in the 35-54-year age group their DALY rate was 4.1 times higher. The leading causes of disease burden were cardiovascular disease for both Aboriginal men (19.1%) and women (15.7%) and mental disorders for both non-Aboriginal men (16.7%) and women (22.3%). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive assessment of fatal and non-fatal conditions is important in describing differentials in health status of the NT population. Our study provides comparative data to identify health priorities and facilitate a more equitable distribution of health funding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Strongyloidiasis in the Northern Territory. Under-recognised and under-treated?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and laboratory features and management of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in the Top End of the Northern Territory. DESIGN: A 12-month retrospective review of clinical records of patients confirmed on stool microscopy to be infected with S. stercoralis. SETTING: The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH), a 300-bed referral hospital servicing the tropical areas of the Northern Territory, which have a population of 120,000, 21% of which is Aboriginal. RESULTS: Potentially pathogenic gastrointestinal parasites were identified in 205 patients over the 12 months. Of these, 68 patients had strongyloidiasis--64 were Aboriginal, three were Caucasian and one was of New Guinean origin. Thirty-seven (54%) were under five years of age. Patients came from all regions served by RDH, including urban Darwin. Seventy-five per cent of adults had chronic underlying disease and 80% of children under five years old were below 80% of standard weight for age. Gastrointestinal symptoms were absent in 28%; occasionally, severe disease occurred. Eosinophilia with greater than 0.7 x 10(9) cells/L was present in 57% of patients. Only 57% of cases were treated with thiabendazole. CONCLUSION: In the Top End of the Northern Territory, Strongyloides infection is endemic in Aboriginal communities, but also occasionally occurs in non-Aboriginal people. It is likely that the infection is frequently not recognised. Current community-based anthelmintic regimens have succeeded in reducing the prevalence of hookworm infection, but strongyloidiasis still appears to be a prevalent condition. The possibility of hyperinfection or disseminated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised patients such as renal transplant recipients and people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus needs consideration in this endemic area. The interaction in northern Australia of S. stercoralis with human T-lymphotropic virus type I and with undernutrition warrants further study.

Adolescent↗