Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a close neighbour of Australia’s and has collaborated with MCRI on innovative research programs to find new and effective ways to eliminate scabies. A 2014 national survey found that approximately 19% of the population had scabies. Similar to findings in neighbouring Pacific Island countries, the rate of scabies is higher among children and infants; between 34% and 45% scabies prevalence among children aged 5 to 9 years old.
World Scabies Program (WSP) Solomon Islands, in partnership with Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), are working to strengthen the local and national health system capacity for scabies control. As per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on scabies control, WSP Solomon Islands with MHMS have successfully executed two consecutive rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) for scabies between 2022 and 2024.
This work has included training a large cohort of Solomon Islands health staff in the identification and management of scabies infestations, and working with partners to integrate and coordinate with other neglected tropical disease (NTD) activities in the country. Integration creates more streamlined and efficient approaches to tackling NTDs in the community, and reduces the burden on both the healthcare system and the population.
WSP will continue to work with Solomon Islands MHMS to evaluate the effectiveness of the MDA campaigns against scabies, and strengthen the country's health systems to be able to manage scabies and other NTDs effectively.
World Scabies Program Solomon Islands Team
From left to right: Julie Zinihite (WSP Country Manager), Jeremiah Manehanita (Finance Officer), Ayleen Sosopu (MDA Officer) Donald Rotu (MDA Logistics Officer), and Johnina Huniehu (MDA Officer)
Our work
Solomon Islands completes second national MDA
Solomon Islands MHMS, supported by WSP, completed a second national MDA for scabies in 2024. This is the first country in the world to have completed two consecutive rounds of MDA for scabies at the national level. This is an incredible achievement and a huge testament to the WSP Solomon Islands team and the NTD Unit team of the MHMS.
MDA teams completed the final province, Makira-Ulawa, in early December, meaning that all nine provinces and Honiara City Council, the capital, received MDA for scabies. WSP integrated with other public health programs throughout the campaign where possible, including with the Fred Hollows Foundation trachoma MDA in Choiseul and Guadalcanal, and the WHO school-based deworming program in Guadalcanal and Honiara.
MDA coverage has improved from the first round in 2022-2023, with more detailed coverage data and the results from a coverage survey currently undergoing analysis. The team applied many lessons learnt during the first MDA to this years' campaign and have achieved some excellent results that we are looking forward to sharing in 2025.
MDA at a health clinic in Honiara, WSP 2024
MDA team at the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, WSP 2024
MDA in Choiseul Province, WSP 2024
Painting height sticks for MDA preparation, WSP 2024
MDA teams in Malaita Province, WSP 2024
Second National MDA in Solomon Islands has begun in 2024
In 2024, WSP is undertaking a second national MDA for scabies in Solomon Islands.
The ivermectin-based MDA began in March, kicking off in Temotu province. Teams of nurses and health workers travelled around Temotu to deliver two doses of scabies medicine to the 20,000 people living in the province over the course of a month. WSP is very grateful to all the people involved in the MDA in Temotu.
In the coming months the national MDA will continue throughout the remaining provinces, with teams working incrementally, from province to province, to administer the medicines. Where possible, WSP plans to integrate with other public health programs to carry out integrated interventions with other public health programs, to maximise resources and decrease the burden on the community.
WSP is working hard to increase the national MDA coverage compared to the first national MDA completed in 2023. The aim is to further reduce the burden of scabies in Solomon Islands, which remains at endemic levels in the population.
Team Temotu ready for MDA, WSP 2024
Integrated NTD Surveillance Survey with Scabies, Yaws and Trachoma
WSP, in collaboration with Solomon Islands MHMS and partner organisations the Kirby Institute and Fred Hollows Foundation, recently took part in the first national integrated NTD survey in Solomon Islands.
In September 2023, MHMS and partners initiated a training program for nurses and public health officers to carry out the nationwide survey on three NTDs: scabies, yaws, and trachoma. The WSP Program Lead and Senior Program Officer travelled from the Melbourne Office to attend the trainings in Solomon Islands. Nurses were trained on clinical skin examinations for scabies and infection, field communications, consent, and survey logistics. Data collectors were trained on how to use a survey tool called REDCap to collect survey data on electronic tablets.
This integrated survey enabled WSP to undertake a post-MDA prevalence survey to assess the prevalence of scabies following the national ivermectin-based MDA completed earlier in the year. The teams traversed all provinces of Solomon Islands and surveyed over 11,000 people for scabies, collecting valuable data that will inform interventions going forwards.
The dedication and tireless efforts of all teams involved in the survey are commendable, with this collaborative effort underscoring a shared commitment to public health and disease control.
Integrated survey training in action, WSP 2023
WSP, MoHMS, partners and participants at the integrated survey training program, WSP 2023
National MDA for Scabies
The national MDA for Solomon Islands began in June 2022. 46 provincial trainers were trained in Honiara. These trainers then went out into the provinces to conduct the training to over 600 MDA staff. More than 1,000 people in over 200 teams have been involved in rolling out the MDA, including nurses, health promotion officers, pharmacy officers, volunteers, boat drivers and boat crews. With the assistance of WSP, each province formulated microplans to roll out MDA effectively. WSP Solomon Islands staff also conducted supervisory visits and coverage surveys in each of the provinces.
We are very proud of the effort from MHMS with WSP Solomon Islands in completing this MDA. Reaching every island in Solomon Islands with MDA twice (for two doses) requires huge commitment and dedication.
The enthusiasm and uptake from the community was fantastic and we are glad we have been able to provide this program to the people of Solomon Islands.
Boy with height stick, WSP 2022
Administering ivermectin during the MDA, WSP 2022
MDA in the Solomon Islands, WSP 2022
Dispensing medicines during MDA, WSP 2022
Child holding permethrin cream, WSP 2022
MDA medication for scabies, Solomon Islands, WSP 2022
Recording participant details during MDA, Guadalcanal WSP 2022
Girl drinking water during MDA, WSP 2022
Solomon Islands National Scabies Baseline Prevalence Survey
In 2021, WSP collaborated with Solomon Islands MHMS and WHO, to survey over 9,000 people of all ages as part of the first ever national scabies prevalence survey. A two-stage random cluster-sample methodology was used, randomly selecting villages or urban areas followed by a random selection of households.
Nine teams, including a nurse, a skin examiner, a driver and a local guide, trekked through jungles and travelled hours in boats to reach communities all over the country. The survey was positively received by communities, especially as the teams provided treatment to residents with scabies in very remote areas. Communities in the highlands of one province expressed gratitude for being selected to be part of the survey as the community rarely gets the opportunity to participate in health programs, highlighting the challenges with access to health care.
Explaining the survey field test, WSP 2021
Skin examiner during the baseline prevalence survey in Solomon Islands, WSP 2021
Picture of scabies found on a survey participant in Makira, Solomon Islands, WSP 2021
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