Geographical Locations - Samoa

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 3,584
• CIA - World Factbook: Samoa

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila (Philippines)
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Samoa

Government

• Samoan Ministry of Health

Non-Government

• Peace Corps in Samoa

Academic Institutions

• National University of Samoa

National Policy and Related Documents

• Health Sector Plan 2008 – 2018 {English Version} {Samoan version}
• National adaptation programme of action - "The purpose of this report is to examine Samoa’s main environmental pressures within each highly vulnerable national sector, including the livelihoods of communities."

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• Barriers preventing access to health care services for women in rural Samoa
  This study investigates and identifies the barriers preventing access to public health care services for women living in rural villages of Samoa. One hundred one women ages 20 years and older participated in personal interviews. The interviews probed the women’s use of traditional medicine, their sociocultural status, their perception of the quality of services, and the affordability and availability of health care services. The results indicate that a limited knowledge of available services, the utilization of traditional medicine, the high cost of prescription drugs, and younger age are barriers to the use of public health care services. The findings also reveal that older age, a high fertility rate, and a low education level contribute to a greater number of illnesses. Implications for improving the infrastructure of the public health care system and increasing communication between traditional healers and the public health care system are discussed. [author abstract] [MA thesis, Ohio University, 2005]
• Country Survey on Health and Climate Change: Samoa
  Assesses the current climate change and health vulnerabilities and threats confronting Samoa through a series of 14 questions and answers. [Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Update, 2009]
• Diabetes Mellitus in Samoa: An Epidemiological and Quality of Care Review
  Aim: To review the epidemiology of diabetes, risk factors, complications and quality of diabetes care in Samoa. Method: Search of MEDLINE using the term diabetes, Samoa and other relevant keywords to identify all studies. All types of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were included. Results: We found four relevant articles. Analysis of the data reveals that a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes was found in 1991 (compared to 1978) in each age group (except 25-34 year group) in both males and females. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes was higher in females. The age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes in urban areas (13.4 percent females; vs 9.5 percent males) was higher than in rural areas (5.6 percent females vs 5.3 percent males) in 1991. Prevalence of obesity also increased from 26.8 percent to 46.6 percent in males and 47.2 percent to 65.3 percent in females during 1978-1991, with a higher prevalence in the urban population. Diabetes prevalence remained higher in urban (than rural) subjects after adjusting for differences in obesity and age. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy was found in 4.5 percent of known diabetes subjects in 1991. The same survey found elevated urinary albumin concentration in 15.0 percent with IGT, 26.0 percent in newly diagnosed diabetes and 23.4 percent in known diabetes subjects. A 2002 survey found diabetes prevalence to have increased to 23.1 percent (22.9 percent males; 23.3 percent females) and obesity 57.0 percent which showed an increasing prevalence in both males and females with higher rates in females and urban areas. Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetes had increased during 1978-1991 and more than doubled by 2002. Data on the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes are limited and/or outdated but for every diagnosed case of diabetes at least four undiagnosed cases can be estimated for the region1. Diabetes prevalence was higher in females and urban populations consistently. The effect of obesity on glucose intolerance was not consistently observed in Samoans. Prevalence of obesity had also shown a rapidly increasing trend during 1978-1991 and 1990-1995. Increase in diabetes prevalence could not be explained by the increase in obesity alone. Diabetes complications such as diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria were common in those with pre-diabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes. [author abstract] [Samoa Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp.24-27]
• Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Samoa and American Samoa
  In this short report by Gregory l. Armstrong, Ian T. Williams, Utoofili Asofa’afetai Maga, Satupaitea Viali, Wendi l. Kuhnert, and Stephen T. McGarvey, it is revealed that “little is known about the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Pacific islands. In this study, serum specimens collected in 1985 and 2002 among the general populations of Samoa and American Samoa were tested for antibody to HCV by a third-generation enzyme immunoassay and a recombinant immunoblot assay. Of the 3,466 specimens tested, 8 (0.2%; 95% confidence interval _ 0.07–0.4%) were positive for antibody to HCV. Prevalence did not vary by location or demographic characteristic. Thus, HCV is present in the Samoas but at a low prevalence.” [author abstract]
• Lessons from the Pacific programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis: a case study of 5 countries
  Background: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is an important Neglected Tropical Disease, being a major cause of disability worldwide. The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem by the year 2020, primarily through repeated Mass Drug Administration (MDA). The Pacific region programme commenced in 1999. By June 2007, five of the eleven countries classified as endemic had completed five MDA campaigns and post-MDA prevalence surveys to assess their progress. We review available programme data and discuss their implications for other LF elimination programs in developing countries. Methods: Reported MDA coverage and results from initial surveys and post-MDA surveys of LF using the immunochromatographic test (ICT) from these five Pacific Island countries (Tonga, Niue, Vanuatu, Samoa and Cook Islands) were analysed to provide an understanding of their quality and programme progress towards LF elimination. Denominator data reported by each country programme for 2001 was compared to official sources to assess the accuracy of MDA coverage data. Results: Initial survey results from these five countries revealed an ICT prevalence of between 2.7 and 8.6 percent in individuals tested prior to commencement of the programme. Country MDA coverage results varied depending on the source of denominator data. Of the five countries in this case study, three countries (Tonga, Niue and Vanuatu) reached the target prevalence of <1% antigenaemia following five rounds of MDA. However, endpoint data could not be reliably compared to baseline data as survey methodology varied. Conclusion: Accurate and representative baseline and post-campaign prevalence data is crucial for determining program effectiveness and the factors contributing to effectiveness. This is emphasised by the findings of this case study. While three of the five Pacific countries reported achieving the target prevalence of <1% antigenaemia, limitations in the data preclude identification of key determinants of this achievement. [author abstract] [BMC Infectious Diseases 2009, 9: 92]
• Samoa Medical Standards
  "The Code of Professional Standards for Medical Practitioners in the Independent State of Samoa ('the Code')… is a set of expected national standards of Medical conduct for Medical practitioners in Samoa. The Code is not intended to give detailed professional advice on specific issues and areas of Medical practice but rather identifies the minimum requirements for conduct within the Medical profession." [Samoa Ministry of Health, no date]
• Screening for Non-Communicable diseases and Early Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease Project, Samoa (The SNEEK Project)
  "Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is not widely recognized in the Pacific Islands in general and in Samoa in particular. This is one of the most important emerging health problems and this is likely to grow over the coming years. The goals of this proposal are to generate data that helps to establish CKD as a compelling public health problem in Samoa and to embark on initiatives targeted at prevention of kidney disease. This project is all the more crucial to motivate actions in a country where resources are preciously fought over. The SNEEK project (Screening for Non Communicable Diseases and Early Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease project) aims specifically to do this." [The SNEEK Project, 2006]

Educational Resources

• Planet Samoa - Internet Gateway to Samoa
• CDC - Travel Information: Samoa
• Lucy Tuaifaiva's homepage - the best on Western Samoa we could find
• Visiting a village in Western Samoa - an interesting travel report with options for multi-media presentations
• Western Samoa Visitors Bureau - provides information on history, culture and tourism in Western Samoa