Shallow water foraminifera from Niue and Beveridge Reef (South Pacific): insights into ecological significance and ecosystem integrity.

Niue represents one of many important steppingstones facilitating the dispersal of marine organisms across the tropical Pacific Ocean. This study is part of a collaborative expedition involving National Geographic Pristine Seas, the government of Niue, Oceans 5, and the Pacific Community. We present the first survey documenting the species richness of foraminiferal communities in Niue and nearby Beveridge Reef and explore their significance for ecosystem integrity. A substantial portion (59%) of Niue's foraminiferal assemblages is Large Benthic Foraminifera (LBF), a symbiont-bearing group known as ecosystem engineers and indicators of coral reef regime shifts. LBF species reported here reflect the gradual decrease of tropical diversity from the Coral Triangle towards the central Pacific Ocean. Calcarinidae, an LBF family represented in this study by two species, is the easternmost ever recorded in published literature, and the biogeographical dispersal of this temperature-controlled group is of great importance to future global warming related studies. Foraminifera are an important component of beach development in Niue, with a close relationship between source and depositional zones. These essential ecological-sedimentary linkages highlight the importance of habitat conservation not only as a means to safeguard biodiversity, but also for its role in the island's physical framework.

Navigating digital inclusion and the digital va among Niue mamatua through the provision of mobile phones during COVID-19.

Technology and digital platforms have become essential for people and communities to interact because of COVID-19. Despite its benefits, digital exclusion disproportionately affects Pacific communities living in New Zealand. This article provides insights into how Niue mamatua (older adults) used their gifted mobile phones and mobile data as part of a COVID-19 digital inclusion initiative. It begins with an overview of the digital inclusion needs of older adults, followed by a description of the digital va (relational space) and negotiating a new way of maintaining connection in an online world. The tutala (a Niue method of conversation anchored on respect) with 12 mamatua highlighted the benefits, support factors, and challenges of how they were able to use their mobile phone. Importantly, mobile phones provided the necessary access and connectivity to interact in a digitally connected world, namely the digital va, when in-person connections were disrupted because of COVID-19.

Elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem in Niue under PacELF, 1999-2016.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease which is targeted for elimination as a public health problem worldwide. Niue is a small self-governing South Pacific island nation with approximately 1600 residents that was formerly LF endemic. Here, we review the progress made towards eliminating LF in Niue since 1999. METHODS: This study has reviewed all the available literature relating to LF in Niue to assess surveillance efforts and the elimination of transmission. Reviewed documentation included both published and unpublished works including historical reports of LF, WHO PacELF records, and Niue Country Reports of the national LF elimination program. FINDINGS: Niue conducted mapping of baseline LF endemicity by testing the total present and consenting population for LF antigen with immunochromatographic test (ICT) in 1999, when circulating filarial antigen prevalence was 3.1% (n = 1794). Five nationwide annual mass drug administration (MDA) rounds with albendazole (400 mg) and diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) were undertaken from 2000 to 2004, with coverage reported from distribution records ranging from 78 to 99% of the eligible population, which excluded pregnant women and children under 2 years of age. A further whole population survey using ICT in 2001 found 1.3% positive (n = 1630). In 2004, antigen prevalence had reduced to 0.2% (n = 1285). A similar post-MDA survey in 2009 indicated antigen prevalence to be 0.5% (n = 1378). Seven positive cases were re-tested and re-treated every six months until negative. CONCLUSIONS: After five rounds of MDA, Niue had reduced the LF antigen population prevalence in all ages from 3.1% to below 1% and maintained this prevalence for a further five years. Due to Niue's small population, surveillance was done by whole population surveys. Niue's results support the WHO recommended strategy that five to six rounds of annual MDA with effective population coverage can successfully interrupt the transmission of LF. Niue received official acknowledgement of the validation of elimination of LF as a public health problem by the WHO Director-General and WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Regional Director at the 67th session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific held in Manila in October 2016.

Progress towards achieving hepatitis B control in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and Kiribati.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly endemic in many of the Pacific Island countries. Four island countries-Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, and Tokelau-sought to evaluate the success of their hepatitis B vaccination programs by conducting nationally representative serosurveys among children born post-vaccine introduction. METHODS: Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau conducted school-based census serosurveys because of small populations. The Cook Islands tested children in second grade; Niue tested children in early childhood education through sixth grade; and Tokelau tested children in first through sixth grades. Because Kiribati has a much larger birth cohort, it conducted a one-stage stratified serosurvey among first grade students. All four countries tested children using the Alere Determine™ rapid point of care hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test. RESULTS: In the three smaller countries, no children were seropositive for HBsAg (0/245 Cook Island students, 0/183 Niuean students, 0/171 Tokelau students). In Kiribati, 39 (3.3%, 95% confidence interval 2.4-4.6%) of 1249 students were HBsAg positive. Vaccination data collected in the Cook Islands and Tokelau showed high vaccination coverage in both countries with ⩾95% birth dose coverage and 100% 3-dose coverage. CONCLUSIONS: The Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau have made remarkable progress in establishing strong vaccination programs and towards decreasing the burden of hepatitis B among children. Kiribati still needs to improve vaccination coverage to achieve the <1% HBsAg target established by the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region.

Nonfatal injury incidence and risk factors among middle school students from four Polynesian countries: The Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tonga.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of injuries in Pacific Island countries is understudied despite the known challenges associated with many residents having limited access to advanced medical and surgical care when they sustain a serious injury. This paper examines nonfatal injuries among early adolescent schoolchildren (those primarily ages 13-15 years) from four Polynesian countries. METHODS: Self-reported data from the 5507 middle school students who were randomly sampled for participation in the nationwide Global School-based Student Health Surveys (GSHS) in the Cook Islands (in the year 2009), Niue (2010), Samoa (2011), and Tonga (2010) were analysed with various statistical methods including regression models. Injuries were defined by the GSHS questionnaire as serious if they resulted in a full day of missed school or other usual activities or required medical treatment. RESULTS: The proportion of students reporting a serious injury in the past year was 43.1% in the Cook Islands, 40.8% in Niue, 73.8% in Samoa, and 49.1% in Tonga. In the Cook Islands and Samoa, boys reported more injuries than girls (p<0.01). The most common types of serious injuries reported were cuts and other skin trauma; broken bones and dislocated joints; and concussions, other head injuries, or difficulty breathing. The most common causes of serious injuries reported were falls; motor vehicle accidents; and attacks, fights, or abuse. For both boys and girls, being bullied in the past month, being physically attacked or in a physical fight in the past year, using alcohol and tobacco, skipping school, and having anxiety or loneliness were associated with a higher likelihood of injuries. CONCLUSIONS: School-based health education programs targeting prevention of intentional and unintentional injuries may benefit from emphasising Polynesian values and promoting personal mental and physical health, healthy behaviours, and healthy family and community relationships.

Mortality in Niue, 1978-82.

This report is an analysis of mortality in the population of Niue Island over the years 1978-82. The overall level of mortality in Niue is low. Life expectancy at birth is correspondingly high (66.5 years). Because of the extensive migration of Niueans during the period of study the death rate may be underestimated and the life expectancy correspondingly overestimated. Infant mortality has dropped from over 200 deaths per 1000 live births during the 1940s to around 10 per 1000 during the period under study. The major causes of premature mortality in Niuean males were injury/poisoning followed by cardiovascular disease. In females infection, injury/poisoning and neoplasia were the major causes of mortality. The 1980 epidemic of dengue fever had an appreciable effect on mortality in this small population. Except for dengue fever, the pattern of mortality in Niue is similar to that in many developed countries. Preventive efforts against metabolic and cardiovascular disease (including hypertension and diabetes) should continue in order to control mortality from these causes, Mosquito programmes, and emergency measures if epidemics threaten, are required so that deaths from haemorrhagic dengue are prevented.

Census taking in Niue, South Pacific.

PIP: Although the census enumerations carried out every 5 years on the Polynesian island of Niue cover an exceedingly small population, the methods used are sophisticated and reliable. The enumeration is de facto. Both household and individual forms are completed, and data are processed on the island through use of a microcomputer. Since everyone in Niue is known to the census commissioner, most inconsistencies on the questionnaires can be corrected without recourse to an additional field visit. For Niue to qualify for assistance from New Zealand, the census must produce a count of at least 3000 people. In some years, this total has been reached by counting travelers anchored offshore. The population of many Polynesian island states has been declining due to emigration to Australia, New Zealand, and the US. As of October 1989, Niue's stationary population stood at 2267.^ieng