Investigators: Chris Blyth, Deborah Lehmann, Hannah Moore, Kate Britton, Lea-ann Kirkham, Peter Richmond
External collaborators: Dr William Pomat, Dr Rebecca Ford, Wendy Kirarok (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research)
Pneumonia is the most common cause of death, disease and hospitalisation in children under 5 years of age in PNG, and it is particularly prevalent in the Highlands Region. Research data collected at the PNG Institute of Medical Research over the past forty years will be pooled and reanalysed to identify associations between the clinical, microbiological and immunological variables in children presenting with pneumonia for health care in the Eastern Highlands Province. It is anticipated that this knowledge will be translated into local treatment and vaccination guidelines and enhance existing diagnostic, management and preventive strategies for childhood pneumonia in PNG and other high risk populations.