RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HIV antibody in patients presenting to the ED at Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea. METHOD: Three hundred patients in whom blood samples were taken for investigation of illness or injury between April and July 2003 were surveyed for HIV antibodies. Sex, age and presenting illness were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-four tests (18%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14-23%) were positive. Forty-seven per cent were men and 53% were women. The most common presenting illnesses were respiratory tract infections (37%) and gastrointestinal tract infections (26%). Because of resource constraints results were not linked to patients and there was no follow up. CONCLUSION: These limited data support the prediction that the developing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea will be serious.
Assuntos
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Soroprevalência de HIV , Hospitais Gerais/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Criança , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/sangue , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Papua Nova Guiné/epidemiologia , Distribuição por SexoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe a programme catalyzing the development of emergency medicine in Papua New Guinea (PNG). METHODS: Five emergency physicians rotated through a new position of Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine in the University of PNG during 2003. The position was established as a consequence of emergency physician input supported by AusAID in 2002. RESULTS: Fifth (final)-year medical students and medical officers in the Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital undertook formal and bedside problem based learning. The first trainees for a Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine programme were inducted and supported. Emergency department management was provided with specialist input. Research projects were initiated, dealing with snakebite, chloroquine toxicity and HIV/AIDS. The first year of an emergency nursing curriculum was supported. CONCLUSIONS: There is now considerable enthusiasm for the development of emergency medicine as the hospital generalists' specialty. Emergency nursing training has also made a start. Limitations on resources will require flexibility to sustain the project. Further support by emergency physicians will be needed.
