First record of Solomons Nightjar Eurostopodus nigripennis for Malaita, with a description of its nest site

Solomons Nightjar Eurostopodus nigripennis, listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International, has previously been recorded only from the north and central Solomon Islands. Even within the species' known range there are few records, limiting knowledge of its ecology. We provide photographic evidence of a Solomons Nightjar nest in a streambed on the island of Malaita at an altitude of c.270 m - the first record on this large island. This observation, combined with traditional local knowledge, suggests that the species may have a wider range of nesting habitat than previously documented, and that further surveys in collaboration with local tribespeople could be important for conservation efforts

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

A major driver of global biodiversity loss is disease. One of the most devastating wildlife diseases known is chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and is implicated in population declines in over 500 frog species. Thought to originate in Asia, B. dendrobatidis now has a global distribution, likely due to human movement and trade. The pathogen has yet to be detected in Melanesia, but there have been few surveys for B. dendrobatidis in the region, and none in the Solomon Islands archipelago, a biogeographic region with a unique and culturally important frog fauna. We swabbed 200 frogs of eight species in three genera in lowland and highland sites in East Kwaio on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. All frogs tested negative for the pathogen but it is possible that the pathogen is present despite non-detection, so further surveys for the pathogen are needed throughout the country. Despite this, it is safest to take a precautionary approach and assume that B. dendrobatidis has not yet been introduced to the Solomon Islands, and that naïve native amphibian populations may be at risk of decline if the pathogen is introduced. Protocols are needed to prevent the accidental import of infected frogs via tourism or in logging or mining equipment. Monitoring of frog populations near areas of high risk such as ports is also recommended. The frogs of the Solomon Islands archipelago are biologically unique and culturally significant, and protecting them from the potentially devastating impacts of B. dendrobatidis is vital

Impact of ivermectin administered for scabies treatment on the prevalence of head lice in Atoifi, Solomon Islands.

Scabies and head lice are ubiquitous ectoparasitic infestations that are common across the Pacific Islands. Ivermectin is an effective treatment for both conditions, although the doses used vary. At a community level, mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin is an effective strategy to decrease prevalence of scabies. To what extent MDA with ivermectin will also reduce prevalence of head lice is unknown. Head lice prevalence was assessed before and after MDA with oral ivermectin (at a dose of 200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight) administered on day 1 and day 8. The primary outcome was the change in prevalence of head louse infestation at two weeks compared to baseline. Longer term efficacy was assessed three months after MDA. 118 participants were enrolled. Baseline prevalence of active head louse infestation was 25.4% (95% CI 18.4-34.0). At three-month follow-up, prevalence was 7.5% (95% CI 2.7-12.3), a relative reduction of 70.6% (95% CI 72.7%-91.4%, p <0.001). Head louse infestation was associated with younger age (age ≤10 years: prevalence 46.7%; adjusted odds ratio compared to adults of 7.2, 95%CI 2.0-25.9) and with having at least one other member of the household with active head louse infestation (adjusted odds ratio 4.3, 95%CI 1.7-11.1). Head louse infestation is common in the Solomon Islands. This proof of principle study shows that oral ivermectin at a dose of 200 micrograms per kilogram can reduce the burden of active head louse infestation, offering an additional collateral benefit of MDA with ivermectin for scabies control. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03236168

Ifi ni gulanga —The house of healing

What is the story about?\ud Community action that led to the construction of a modest building at a remote hospital in the Solomon Islands for people who practice ancestral religion

Reorienting health services through community health promotion in Kwaio, Solomon Islands

When ethnic minorities adhere to cultural practices which mark them as unique, structural impediments within health\ud services can deny access and significantly add to the burden of disease. This is particularly pertinent if the development of health services is not done in partnership with all population groups in the area. This is the case at Atoifi Hospital, which structure prevents certain Kwaio people (Solomon Islands) from receiving benefits of hospital services and maintaining cultural beliefs at the same time. A Participatory Action Research process was used to collaboratively work with health service providers and\ud community groups to review the situation, design and build a health facility with both medically and culturally appropriate policies and procedures. The Participatory Action Research process of collectively looking, thinking, planning and acting towards reorienting health services to become more culturally appropriate at Atoifi was the first time leaders, from both the community and hospital, had collectively sat together in a mutually respectful way to discuss community health promotion initiatives. The project was complete in 2006 with collaboration and dialogue between both groups proving vital to its success. Numerous\ud indicators are present that the culturally appropriate health facility is making a difference, not only in terms of the hospital usage by all, but also for the feeling of “community ownership.

Rat and bat hunt helped heal rift from colonial cruelty

In the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in 1927, a warrior named Basiana led the Kwaio resistance against colonial rule of the island of Malaita, in which 15 people — including an Australian and a Briton — were killed with spears and a few rifles. The London Colonial Office asked Australia to quell the ‘uprising’. In the months that followed, Australians and Solomon Islanders killed at least 60 Kwaio, desecrating shrines and violating cultural taboos. Eventually, Basiana surrendered and was hanged with six conspirators. For almost a century, these events have held back the Kwaio people, shaping their relations with ‘Europeans’

Incorporating sociocultural beliefs in mental health services in Kwaio, Solomon Islands

Objective:\ud The aim of this paper is to describe the newly established mental health services at Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Solomon Islands, the sociocultural context in which it operates, and illustrate how the service is engaging with the Kwaio community to understand and incorporate local sociocultural beliefs into prevention, treatment and recovery journeys.\ud \ud Method:\ud Five remote hamlets in East Kwaio, Malaita Province were visited in early 2008. Interviews were undertaken with 20 people with a history of buru spirit possession and 30 of their family members.\ud \ud Results:\ud Buru is a category of wild and malevolent spirits that possess people in East Kwaio and induce antisocial and unexpected behaviour. Signs of buru possession include mutism, suicidal ideas, delusion, aggression and social\ud isolation. Traditional healers practice indigenous treatments with 50% of people receiving treatments described as cured, 30% temporary cured and 20%\ud no effect from treatment.\ud \ud Conclusions:\ud The new mental health service at Atoifi is taking steps to incorporate sociocultural beliefs, including of people possessed by buru, into routine practice. This provides a greater potential to support prevention, treatment and recovery journeys to advance the community’s social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing

A collaborative bird survey of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands

We surveyed the birds of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands from 20 October to 2 November 2018. We conducted 66 point counts and recorded or observed 58 species of resident landbirds, including 23 of the 24 passerine species known from the island of Malaita and 15 waterbird species. We collected some form of samples (e.g., whole specimens and/or blood samples) from 61 individuals of 17 species, including representatives of the four species-level endemics: Malaita Fantail Rhipidura malaitae (Mayr, 1931), Malaita Dwarf-Kingfisher Ceyx malaitae (Mayr, 1935), Malaita White-eye Zosterops stresemanni (Mayr, 1931), and Red-bellied Myzomela Myzomela malaitae (Mayr, 1931). We demonstrate the considerable potential for conservation of the Malaitan avifauna on traditional lands in the mountains of East Kwaio. The extensive knowledge of the local people was a key factor in the success of the expedition. To facilitate ongoing conservation efforts, we documented the local Kwaio names of the birds we encountered

A collaborative bird survey of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands

We surveyed the birds of East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands from 20 October to 2 November 2018. We conducted 66 point counts and recorded or observed 58 species of resident landbirds, including 23 of the 24 passerine species known from the island of Malaita and 15 waterbird species. We collected some form of samples (e.g., whole specimens and/or blood samples) from 61 individuals of 17 species, including representatives of the four species-level endemics: Malaita Fantail Rhipidura malaitae (Mayr, 1931), Malaita Dwarf-Kingfisher Ceyx malaitae (Mayr, 1935), Malaita White-eye Zosterops stresemanni (Mayr, 1931), and Red-bellied Myzomela Myzomela malaitae (Mayr, 1931). We demonstrate the considerable potential for conservation of the Malaitan avifauna on traditional lands in the mountains of East Kwaio. The extensive knowledge of the local people was a key factor in the success of the expedition. To facilitate ongoing conservation efforts, we documented the local Kwaio names of the birds we encountered