Carol L. Jenkins

Attenuation of nursing-related ovarian suppression and high fertility in well-nourished, intensively breast-feeding Amele women of lowland Papua New Guinea

Intense, sustained nursing lengthens inter-birth intervals and is causally linked with low natural fertility. However, in traditional settings, the effects of such nursing on fertility are difficult to disentangle from those of nutrition. Results from a prospective, direct observational study of reproductive function in well-nourished Amele women who nurse intensively and persistently but who also have high fertility are here presented. Endocrine measures show that ovarian activity resumes by median 11.0 months postpartum. Median duration of postpartum amenorrhoea is 11.3 months, time to next conception is 19.0 months, and the inter-birth interval is 28.0 months. Average life time fertility is 6.8. High fertility in Amele women is due both to refractoriness of reproductive function to suckling stimuli, and to maintenance of equivalent age-specific fertility rates across the reproductive life span.

Cultural aspects of early childhood growth and nutrition among the Amele of lowland Papua New Guinea.

Childhood malnutrition in Papua New Grinea has often been attributed to inadequate practices. Combining the methods of ethnography and nutrition, this study assesses the impact of beliefs and practices concerning breast feeding and supplementation on infant and toddler growth among the Amele of Lowland Madang Province. Results indicate a clear role for notions about lactation and the proper timing of appropriate foods in growth retardation of young children. Conceptualizing developmental stages emically instead of etically is a useful approach to gathering data for nutrition education programs.

Failure to isolate human T cell lymphotropic virus type I and to detect variant-specific genomic sequences by polymerase chain reaction in Melanesians with indeterminate western immunoblot.

The controversy over the endemicity of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in Melanesia has been settled recently by the isolation of genetically distinct, highly divergent sequence variants of HTLV-I from unrelated inhabitants of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Still at issue, however, is the significance of the high frequency of indeterminate HTLV-I Western blots (defined as reactivity to only gag-encoded proteins) among Melanesians. To investigate whether this indeterminate seroreactivity reflects specific reactivity to the Melanesian HTLV-I variants, 27 seroindeterminate Melanesians from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands were studied for evidence of HTLV-I infection. Although antibodies against Melanesian variant-specific env gene products and variant-specific env gene sequences were detected by Western blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction, respectively, in all 11 HTLV-I Western blot-positive Melanesians, none of the 27 seroindeterminate Melanesians had such variant-specific antibodies or HTLV-I proviral sequences. In addition, attempts to isolate HTLV-I from seroindeterminate individuals were unsuccessful. These data indicate that HTLV-I infection is not the cause of the indeterminate Western blot reactivity seen in Melanesia.

The use of ethnography and structured observations in the study of risk factors for the transmission of diarrhea in highland Papua New Guinea.

Methods that combine anthropological and epidemiological data are needed for the study of behavioral risk factors in communicable diseases, but as yet remain undeveloped. Ethnography is often undervalued as both the preliminary and integrative step in the design and execution of such studies. The analysis of critical methodological issues emerging from a case-control study of the behavioral and environmental risk factors for the transmission of childhood diarrhea in both urban and rural highland Papua New Guinea suggests that focused ethnographic assessments, complemented by structured observations performed by nonprofessionals, may provide a viable research design. In highland Papua New Guinea, significant risk factors include non-usage of latrines and sleeping with pigs; the latter is a factor that could have important implications regarding womens roles in a changing economy.

Culture Change and Epidemiological Patterns Among the Hagahai, Papua New Guinea

The role of introduced epidemic disease in highland New Guinea is considered in light of recent debate concerning pre-contact adaptations. Seroepidemiological studies of the Hagahai, a small isolated group of hunterhorticulturalists in the fringe highlands of Papua New Guinea, document the recent introduction of mumps, hepatitis B, specific types of influenza, and rotavirus. Results are related to ethnographic findings, detailing past levels of intergroup contact and recent changes in settlement patterns, travel, feasting, health care, and other cultural factors. Data suggest that intergroup disease transmission is greatly increased decades before officially recorded time of contact and that mortality levels documented soon thereafter are not indicative of the pre-contact adaptation.

Dietary change and adolescent growth among the Bundi (Gende‐speaking) people of Papua New Guinea

In the 1960s, the Bundi had a pattern of slow growth, delayed maturation, and small adult body size due to malnutrition. Since then, improved transportation, wage income, cash cropping, and migration have changed dietary patterns for the Bundi. The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of this general increase in protein and energy intakes on adolescent growth. The data were collected in 1984. Subscapular skinfold thicknesses among rural Bundi children measured in 1984 and 1967 confirm that nutritional status has improved, although current means for height and weight are still below the NCHS 5th percentile.

Health in the early contact period: A contemporary example from Papua New Guinea

In 1984 a rare opportunity arose to document the effects of contact on a previously isolated population in Papua New Guinea. The Hagahai, a small group of hunter-horticulturalists, remained hidden from government and mission influence until the early 1980s. Prior to that time, indirect contact through trade with neighboring peoples facilitated the entry of introduced infectious diseases. In late 1983 the Hagahai sought medical aid at a mission station, an event which accelerated their contact with the common epidemic diseases of the highlands. A wide variety of genetic, linguistic, ethnographic and medical data have been collected which document the historical sequence of events contributing to the current rapid demographic decline among the Hagahai. Serological evidence demonstrates the endemicity of Bancroftian filariasis, malaria, C. diphtheriae, cytomegalovirus, HTLV-1, the Ross River arbovirus and several viruses associated with the common cold. Recent epidemics include mumps, influenza A, and hepatitis B. They have not yet been affected by TB or measles, among others. Infanticide contributes to an estimated infant mortality rate of 568/1000. With a crude birth rate of 38 and a crude mortality rate of 51, the Hagahai appear to be dying out. The provision of adequate health care to these people is extremely problematic and beyond the capacity of the existing system.

Fertility and infertility in Papua New Guinea

Fertility levels in selected populations of coastal and highland Madang Province of Papua New Guinea are analyzed from reproductive history data. Changing levels of fertility between 1964 and 1984 are examined using reconstructed censuses. Age‐specific infertility rates are calculated and evaluated with available data on rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and contraceptive usage. These suggest that STD‐associated infertility may be a major factor underlying levels of fertility lower than expected.

Child Feeding Patterns Amongst the Au of the West Sepik, Papua New Guinea

This study describes food consumption patterns and cultural factors influencing them with particular emphasis on young children in an area of West Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea where the health and nutritional status of the population is known to be poor. The people are traditionally hunters and gatherers the main staple being the edible pith of the sago palm. Taro sweet potato and bananas are also important. Animal sources of protein are rare. Breastfeeding is universal and extended although colostrum is believed to be harmful. The 1st supplementary foods (usually sweet potato bananas pawpaw) are introduced late the timing being linked to the eruption of deciduous teeth. Game meat is not introduced until all 1st molars have erupted. Food taboos applying to children are few. Improved growth is dependent on a change in child feeding habits for which a deeper understanding of the cultural meanings of the observed food-related beliefs and behaviors is necessary. (authors)