Age- and cause-specific childhood mortality in Lombok, Indonesia, as a factor for determining the appropriateness of introducing Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal vaccines.

Using age and cause-specific childhood mortality in Lombok, Indonesia, as a factor for determining the appropriateness of introducing Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal vaccines, the study describes a cross-sectional, hamlet-level mortality survey in 40 of 305 villages in Lombok Island, Indonesia. Causes of death were assessed with a standardized verbal-autopsy questionnaire. One thousand four hundred ninety-nine births and 141 deaths occurring among children aged less than 2 years were identified, with 43% of deaths occurring during the first 2 months of life. The infant mortality rate was 89 (95% CI: 75, 104) per 1,000 live-births. All mortality rates are reported per 1,000 live-births. To examine children whose deaths could potentially have been prevented through vaccination with Hib or pneumococcal vaccine, deaths due to acute respiratory infection (ARI) and central nervous system (CNS) infections among children, aged 2-23 months, were analyzed. ARI and CNS infections caused 58% (mortality rate: 31 per 1,000 live-births; 95% CI: 23, 41) and 17% (mortality rate: 9 per 1,000 live-births; 95% CI: 5, 16), respectively, of all deaths within this age group. Between the ages of 2 and 23 months, 5% of all babies born alive died of ARI, and another 1% died of CNS infections. Our results indicate that current efforts to reduce childhood mortality should focus on reducing ARI and meningitis. These efforts should include evaluating the impact of Hib and pneumococcal vaccines within the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization system.

Home delivery of heat-stable vaccines in Indonesia: outreach immunization with a prefilled, single-use injection device.

Extending immunization coverage to underserved populations will require innovative immunization strategies. This study evaluated one such strategy: the use of a prefilled, single-use injection device for outreach immunization by village midwives. The device, UniJect, is designed to prevent refilling or reuse. Stored at ambient temperatures for up to 1 month in midwives' homes, vaccine-filled UniJect devices were immediately available for outreach. Between July 1995 and April 1996, 110 midwives on the Indonesia islands of Lombok and Bali visited the homes of newborn infants to deliver hepatitis B vaccine to the infants and tetanus toxoid to their mothers. Observations and interviews showed that the midwives used the device properly and safely to administer approximately 10,000 sterile injections in home settings. There were no problems with excessive heat exposure during the storage or delivery of vaccine. Injection recipients and midwives expressed a strong preference for the UniJect device over a standard syringe. Use of the prefilled device outside the cold chain simplified the logistics and facilitated the speed and efficiency of home visits, while the single-dose format minimized vaccine wastage.

PIP: Recent studies have found that up to 30% of injections given for immunization are not sterile. Disposable syringes are reused and reusable syringes are often improperly sterilized. Findings are presented from an evaluation of the use of a prefilled, single-use injection device for outreach immunization by village midwives. Such devices can reduce the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and diseases, and reduce vaccine wastage associated with multi-dose vials. The device evaluated, UniJect, is designed to prevent refilling or reuse. Stored at ambient temperatures for up to 1 month in midwives' homes, vaccine-filled UniJect devices were immediately available for use. Between July 1995 and April 1996, 110 midwives on the Indonesian islands of Lombok and Bali visited the homes of newborn infants to deliver hepatitis B vaccine to infants and tetanus toxoid to their mothers. Observations and interviews found that the midwives safely and properly used the device to administer approximately 10,000 sterile injections in home settings. No problems were experienced with excessive heat exposure during the storage or delivery of vaccine. Injection recipients and midwives strongly preferred the UniJect device over a standard syringe. Furthermore, use of the prefilled device outside of the cold chain simplified the logistics and facilitated the speed and efficiency of home visits, while the single-dose format minimized vaccine wastage.

Lombok Hepatitis B Model Immunization Project: toward universal infant hepatitis B immunization in Indonesia.

The Lombok Hepatitis B (HB) Model Immunization Project was the first mass infant HB immunization project in Indonesia. Key aspects were the procurement of low-cost HB vaccine, integration into routine infant immunization services, and delivery of the first dose in the home within 1 week of birth. The project achieved > 90% coverage with 3 doses of vaccine. The prevalence of HB surface antigen was 1.4% in infants who received 3 doses (with the first dose within 7 days of birth) and 3.0% in those who received the first dose > 7 days after birth, compared with a baseline prevalence of 6.2% (P < .001 in each case). Most vaccine failures occurred in children born to HBe antigen-positive mothers. Antibody prevalence and titers did not correlate with protection. HB vaccine can be successfully integrated into the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), strengthening the EPI and significantly reducing chronic HB infection.

[Migration and the labor force]. / Migrasi dan ketenaga kerjaan

PIP: Labor force problems posed by internal migration in Indonesia are considered. The pronounced differences in population density among provinces are noted. The authors conclude that internal migration, which primarily involves those at younger ages, has a positive effect on development in receiving areas. (summary in ENG)^ieng