Meningitis: is a major cause of disability amongst Papua New Guinea children?

Abstract

Purpose: This article is intended to focus on the need for the use of rehabilitation services, for children with meningitis in Papua New Guinea, which is one of largest developing country in The Pacific with diverse culture and landscape. Meningitis is the fifth leading disease that results in disability in the country. The first line of treatment is usually antibiotics, administration of vaccination is also recommended. Currently community based rehabilitation workers and Physiotherapist offer the rehabilitation services. There is a need for the other rehabilitation professionals and appropriate education to the CBR workers, caregivers for providing effective Rehabilitation. Method: Articles related to meningitis were recruited through various electronic database such as Ovid SP, MEDLINE, CINHAL, Google Scholar and HINARI and EBSCOhost for full text. The search includes journal articles, editorials, research reports, systematic reviews and books. Results: The neurological sequelae resulting from meningitis are increasing. There is a need for Hib vaccination to reduce the rate of mortality. Physiotherapists are new professionals that emerged since 2006 and are assisting in reducing the motor and neurological disability. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach is required to manage the child with meningitis. Adequate knowledge, resources and assistance about the condition among the health professionals, carers and teachers would enable the children to achieve the quality of life.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Meningitis is a neurological disorder resulting from mild to severe neurological sequelea.

• The need for availability of cephalosporin is required to reduce the consequence of disease.

• Multidisciplinary approach will reduce the rate of disability resulting from meningitis.

Keywords::

• Developing country
• meningitis
• physiotherapy

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our special thanks to Dr. Jose Orathinkal for his assistance.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.