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Asante KP, Wylie BJ, Oppong FB, Quinn A, Gyaase S, Lee AG, Ae-Ngibise KA, Burkart K, Boamah-Kaali EA, Kaali S, Chillrud S, Kinney PL, Owusu-Agyei S, Jack D. Association between malaria and household air pollution interventions in a predominantly rural area of Ghana. Malar J 2023; 22:106. [PMID: 36959655 PMCID: PMC10037900 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04431-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though anecdotal evidence suggests that smoke from HAP has a repellent effect on mosquitoes, very little work has been done to assess the effect of biomass smoke on malaria infection. The study, therefore, sought to investigate the hypothesis that interventions to reduce household biomass smoke may have an unintended consequence of increasing placental malaria or increase malaria infection in the first year of life. METHODS This provides evidence from a randomized controlled trial among 1414 maternal-infant pairs in the Kintampo North and Kintampo South administrative areas of Ghana. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between study intervention assignment (LPG, Biolite or control) and placental malaria. Finally, an extended Cox model was used to assess the association between study interventions and all episodes of malaria parasitaemia in the first year of infant's life. RESULTS The prevalence of placental malaria was 24.6%. Out of this, 20.8% were acute infections, 18.7% chronic infections and 60.5% past infections. The study found no statistical significant association between the study interventions and all types of placental malaria (OR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.59-1.30). Of the 1165 infants, 44.6% experienced at least one episode of malaria parasitaemia in the first year of life. The incidence of first and/or only episode of malaria parasitaemia was however found to be similar among the study arms. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that cookstove interventions for pregnant women and infants, when combined with additional malaria prevention strategies, do not lead to an increased risk of malaria among pregnant women and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku Poku Asante
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana.
| | - Blair J Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology PH Building, Columbia University Medical Center, 16th Floor 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Felix B Oppong
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Ashlinn Quinn
- Berkeley Air Monitoring Group, 1935 Addison St., Suite A, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA
| | - Stephaney Gyaase
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Alison G Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth Ayuurebobi Ae-Ngibise
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Katrin Burkart
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 2301 Fifth Ave., Seattle, WA, 98121, USA
| | - Ellen Abrafi Boamah-Kaali
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Seyram Kaali
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Kintampo North Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana
| | - Steven Chillrud
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA
| | - Patrick L Kinney
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seth Owusu-Agyei
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Darby Jack
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, 722 W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Montiel Ishino FA, Rowan C, Talham C, Villalobos K, Poudel D, Rajbhandari-Thapa J, Ambikile JS, Williams F. Household profiles of neglected tropical disease symptoms among children: A latent class analysis of built-environment features of Tanzanian households using the Demographic and Health Survey. J Glob Health 2022; 12:04067. [PMID: 36057837 PMCID: PMC9441010 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.04067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While malaria and neglected tropical disease (NTD) morbidity and mortality rates among children <5 years old have decreased through public health efforts in the United Republic of Tanzania, associations between household environments and disease outcomes are relatively unknown. Methods We conducted latent class analysis (LCA) on 2015-2016 Tanzania Demographic Health Survey data from mothers with children <5 years old (N = 10 233) to identify NTD household risk profiles. The outcome of child NTD was assessed by mothers’ reports of recent diarrhoea, cough, treatment for enteric parasites, and fever symptoms. Household-built environment indicators included urban/rural designation, electricity access, water source, cooking fuel, flooring, wall, and roofing materials. External environmental covariates were considered to further differentiate profiles. Results Five profiles were identified in the sample: rural finished walls households (40.2%) with the lowest NTD risk; rural rudimentary households (20.9%) with intermediate-low NTD risk; finished material households (22.5%) with intermediate NTD risk; urban households (14.4%) with intermediate-high NTD risk and high likelihood of enteric parasites; rural finished roof/walls households (2.1%) with the highest overall NTD risk. Conclusions This study is among the first to use LCA to examine household environment characteristics to assess child NTD risk in Tanzania. This paper serves as a framework for community-level rapid NTD risk assessment for targeted health promotion interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco A Montiel Ishino
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claire Rowan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Charlotte Talham
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Villalobos
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dikshit Poudel
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel Seme Ambikile
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Faustine Williams
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Mmbando AS, Bradley J, Kazimbaya D, Kasubiri R, Knudsen J, Siria D, von Seidlein L, Okumu FO, Lindsay SW. The effect of light and ventilation on house entry by Anopheles arabiensis sampled using light traps in Tanzania: an experimental hut study. Malar J 2022; 21:36. [PMID: 35123497 PMCID: PMC8818140 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In sub-Saharan Africa, house design and ventilation affects the number of malaria mosquito vectors entering houses. This study hypothesized that indoor light from a CDC-light trap, visible from outside a hut, would increase entry of Anopheles arabiensis, an important malaria vector, and examined whether ventilation modifies this effect.
Methods
Four inhabited experimental huts, each situated within a large chamber, were used to assess how light and ventilation affect the number of hut-entering mosquitoes in Tanzania. Each night, 300 female laboratory-reared An. arabiensis were released inside each chamber for 72 nights. Nightly mosquito collections were made using light traps placed indoors. Temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations were measured using data loggers. Treatments and sleepers were rotated between huts using a randomized block design.
Results
When indoor light was visible outside the huts, there was an 84% increase in the odds of collecting mosquitoes indoors (Odds ratio, OR = 1.84, 95% confidence intervals, 95% CI 1.74–1.95, p < 0.001) compared with when it was not. Although the odds of collecting mosquitoes in huts with closed eaves (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.41–0.72, p < 0.001) was less than those with open eaves, few mosquitoes entered either type of well-ventilated hut. The odds of collecting mosquitoes was 99% less in well-ventilated huts, compared with poorly-ventilated traditional huts (OR = 0.01, 95% CI 0.01–0.03, p < 0.001). In well-ventilated huts, indoor temperatures were 1.3 °C (95% CI 0.9–1.7, p < 0.001) cooler, with lower carbon dioxide (CO2) levels (mean difference = 97 ppm, 77.8–116.2, p < 0.001) than in poorly-ventilated huts.
Conclusion
Although light visible from outside a hut increased mosquito house entry, good natural ventilation reduces indoor carbon dioxide concentrations, a major mosquito attractant, thereby reducing mosquito-hut entry.
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Quaresima V, Agbenyega T, Oppong B, Awunyo JADA, Adu Adomah P, Enty E, Donato F, Castelli F. Are Malaria Risk Factors Based on Gender? A Mixed-Methods Survey in an Urban Setting in Ghana. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:161. [PMID: 34564545 PMCID: PMC8482108 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria still represents one of the most debilitating and deadly diseases in the world. It has been suggested that malaria has different impacts on women and men due to both social and biological factors. A gender perspective is therefore important to understand how to eliminate malaria. This study aimed to investigate malaria from a gender perspective in a non-for-profit private health facility, HopeXchange Medical Centre, based in Kumasi (Ghana). A sequential mixed-methods design, comprising quantitative and qualitative methods, was used. This study found low ownership (40%) and use (19%) of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Most malaria cases were women (62%), who were less educated and had more external risk factors associated with infection. Our study reported a trend of preferring malaria self-medication at home, which was practiced mostly by men (43%). Our data suggest that women are more likely to be exposed to malaria infections than men, especially due to their prolonged exposure to mosquito bites during the most dangerous hours. Our study highlighted the need for future malaria control policies to be more focused on social and behavioral aspects and from a gender perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Quaresima
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics (DICATAM), University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Emato-Oncologica AIL (CREA), Diagnostic Department, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Tsiri Agbenyega
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana;
- HopeXchange Medical Centre, Kumasi, Ghana; (B.O.); (J.A.D.A.A.); (P.A.A.); (E.E.)
| | - Bismark Oppong
- HopeXchange Medical Centre, Kumasi, Ghana; (B.O.); (J.A.D.A.A.); (P.A.A.); (E.E.)
| | | | - Priscilla Adu Adomah
- HopeXchange Medical Centre, Kumasi, Ghana; (B.O.); (J.A.D.A.A.); (P.A.A.); (E.E.)
| | - Eunice Enty
- HopeXchange Medical Centre, Kumasi, Ghana; (B.O.); (J.A.D.A.A.); (P.A.A.); (E.E.)
| | - Francesco Donato
- University Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
- UNESCO Chair ‘Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries’, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Kessler A, Shylla B, Singh US, Lyngdoh R, Mawkhlieng B, van Eijk AM, Sullivan SA, Das A, Walton C, Wilson ML, Carlton JM, Albert S. Spatial and temporal village-level prevalence of Plasmodium infection and associated risk factors in two districts of Meghalaya, India. Malar J 2021; 20:70. [PMID: 33541366 PMCID: PMC7859895 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03600-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite declining incidence over the past decade, malaria remains an important health burden in India. This study aimed to assess the village-level temporal patterns of Plasmodium infection in two districts of the north-eastern state of Meghalaya and evaluate risk factors that might explain these patterns. METHODS Primary Health Centre passive malaria case data from 2014 to 2018 were analysed to characterize village-specific annual incidence and temporal trends. Active malaria case detection was undertaken in 2018 and 2019 to detect Plasmodium infections using PCR. A questionnaire collected socio-demographic, environmental, and behavioural data, and households were spatially mapped via GPS. Adult mosquitoes were sampled at a subset of subjects' houses, and Anopheles were identified by PCR and sequencing. Risk factors for Plasmodium infection were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and spatial cluster analysis was undertaken. RESULTS The annual malaria incidence from PHC-based passive surveillance datasets in 2014-2018 was heterogenous but declining across villages in both districts. Active surveillance in 2018 enrolled 1468 individuals from 468 households (West Jaintia Hills) and 1274 individuals from 359 households (West Khasi Hills). Plasmodium falciparum prevalence per 100 people varied from 0 to 4.1% in the nine villages of West Jaintia Hills, and from 0 to 10.6% in the 12 villages of West Khasi Hills. Significant clustering of P. falciparum infections [observed = 11, expected = 2.15, Relative Risk (RR) = 12.65; p < 0.001] was observed in West Khasi Hills. A total of 13 Anopheles species were found at 53 houses in five villages, with Anopheles jeyporiensis being the most abundant. Risk of infection increased with presence of mosquitoes and electricity in the households [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.19 and 1.11], respectively. Households with reported animals had reduced infection risk (OR = 0.91). CONCLUSION Malaria incidence during 2014-2018 declined in all study villages covered by the passive surveillance data, a period that includes the first widespread insecticide-treated net campaign. The survey data from 2018 revealed a significant association between Plasmodium infection and certain household characteristics. Since species of Plasmodium-competent mosquito vectors continue to be abundant, malaria resurgence remains a threat, and control efforts should continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kessler
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Badondor Shylla
- Indian Institute of Public Health-Shillong, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793001, India
- Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793006, India
| | - Upasana Shyamsunder Singh
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Rilynti Lyngdoh
- Department of Health Services (Malaria), National Vector Borne Disease Programme, Lawmali, Pasteur Hill, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793001, India
| | | | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Steven A Sullivan
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Aparup Das
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, 482003, India
| | - Catherine Walton
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mark L Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jane M Carlton
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA.
| | - Sandra Albert
- Indian Institute of Public Health-Shillong, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793001, India.
- Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong, Meghalaya, 793006, India.
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Wilson R, Wakefield A, Roberts N, Jones G. Artificial light and biting flies: the parallel development of attractive light traps and unattractive domestic lights. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:28. [PMID: 33413591 PMCID: PMC7789162 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Light trapping is an important tool for monitoring insect populations. This is especially true for biting Diptera, where light traps play a crucial role in disease surveillance by tracking the presence and abundance of vector species. Physiological and behavioural data have been instrumental in identifying factors that influence dipteran phototaxis and have spurred the development of more effective light traps. However, the development of less attractive domestic lights has received comparatively little interest but could be important for reducing interactions between humans and vector insects, with consequences for reducing disease transmission. Here, we discuss how dipteran eyes respond to light and the factors influencing positive phototaxis, and conclude by identifying key areas for further research. In addition, we include a synthesis of attractive and unattractive wavelengths for a number of vector species. A more comprehensive understanding of how Diptera perceive and respond to light would allow for more efficient vector sampling as well as potentially limiting the risk posed by domestic lighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roksana Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - Andrew Wakefield
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Nicholas Roberts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
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Madewell ZJ, Sosa S, Brouwer KC, Juárez JG, Romero C, Lenhart A, Cordón-Rosales C. Associations between household environmental factors and immature mosquito abundance in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1729. [PMID: 31870343 PMCID: PMC6929347 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-8102-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti-borne diseases are becoming major public health problems in tropical and sub-tropical regions. While socioeconomic status has been associated with larval mosquito abundance, the drivers or possible factors mediating this association, such as environmental factors, are yet to be identified. We examined possible associations between proximity to houses and roads and immature mosquito abundance, and assessed whether these factors and mosquito prevention measures mediated any association between household environmental factors and immature mosquito abundance. METHODS We conducted two cross-sectional household container surveys in February-March and November-December, 2017, in urban and rural areas of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We used principal components analysis to identify factors from 12 variables to represent the household environment. One factor which included number of rooms in house, electricity, running water, garbage service, cable, television, telephone, latrine, well, and sewer system, was termed "environmental capital." Environmental capital scores ranged from 0 to 5.5. Risk factors analyzed included environmental capital, and distance from nearest house/structure, paved road, and highway. We used Poisson regression to determine associations between distance to nearest house/structure, roads, and highways, and measures of immature mosquito abundance (total larvae, total pupae, and positive containers). Using cubic spline generalized additive models, we assessed non-linear associations between environmental capital and immature mosquito abundance. We then examined whether fumigation, cleaning containers, and distance from the nearest house, road, and highway mediated the relationship between environmental capital and larvae and pupae abundance. RESULTS We completed 508 household surveys in February-March, and we revisited 469 households in November-December. Proximity to paved roads and other houses/structures was positively associated with larvae and pupae abundance and mediated the associations between environmental capital and total numbers of larvae/pupae (p ≤ 0.01). Distance to highways was not associated with larval/pupal abundance (p ≥ 0.48). Households with the lowest and highest environmental capital had fewer larvae/pupae than households in the middle range (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that proximity to other houses and paved roads was associated with greater abundance of larvae and pupae. Understanding risk factors such as these can allow for improved targeting of surveillance and vector control measures in areas considered at higher risk for arbovirus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Madewell
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala. .,Program in Public Health (Epidemiology), University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Silvia Sosa
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Kimberly C Brouwer
- Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, Division of Global Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - José Guillermo Juárez
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.,Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Carolina Romero
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Audrey Lenhart
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Celia Cordón-Rosales
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
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Irwin BR, Hoxha K, Grépin KA. Conceptualising the effect of access to electricity on health in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Glob Public Health 2019; 15:452-473. [PMID: 31770072 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2019.1695873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Access to electricity is an important issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) however its health implications are poorly understood. This paper systematically reviews the health effects of access to electricity and develops a conceptual model to summarise the pathways through which these effects may occur. The databases CINAHL, Embase, and MEDLINE were searched for studies examining the effects of access to electricity on health in LMICs. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria: 23 focusing on electrification and 10 focusing on electricity reliability. Using a modified socio-ecological model, 4 main levels of influence were identified: (1) individual, (2) household, (3) community, and (4) institutional. Electrification was generally associated with positive health outcomes, such as reduced mortality, lower rates of disease, and improved quality of and access to care, while poor electricity reliability was associated with negative health outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality, lower quality of care, and reduced utilisation of health services. Although the overall quality of the evidence was weak, given the many potential pathways through which electricity may affect health, efforts should be made not only to increase the number of connected households globally, but to improve the reliability of the electricity supply as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget R Irwin
- Health Sciences Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Klesta Hoxha
- Health Sciences Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada.,The School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Karen A Grépin
- Health Sciences Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
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Rouamba T, Nakanabo-Diallo S, Derra K, Rouamba E, Kazienga A, Inoue Y, Ouédraogo EK, Waongo M, Dieng S, Guindo A, Ouédraogo B, Sallah KL, Barro S, Yaka P, Kirakoya-Samadoulougou F, Tinto H, Gaudart J. Socioeconomic and environmental factors associated with malaria hotspots in the Nanoro demographic surveillance area, Burkina Faso. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:249. [PMID: 30819132 PMCID: PMC6396465 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6565-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With limited resources and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of malaria in developing countries, it is still difficult to assess the real impact of socioeconomic and environmental factors in order to set up targeted campaigns against malaria at an accurate scale. Our goal was to detect malaria hotspots in rural area and assess the extent to which household socioeconomic status and meteorological recordings may explain the occurrence and evolution of these hotspots. METHODS Data on malaria cases from 2010 to 2014 and on socioeconomic and meteorological factors were acquired from four health facilities within the Nanoro demographic surveillance area. Statistical cross correlation was used to quantify the temporal association between weekly malaria incidence and meteorological factors. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed and restricted to each transmission period using Kulldorff's elliptic spatial scan statistic. Univariate and multivariable analysis were used to assess the principal socioeconomic and meteorological determinants of malaria hotspots using a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) approach. RESULTS Rainfall and temperature were positively and significantly associated with malaria incidence, with a lag time of 9 and 14 weeks, respectively. Spatial analysis showed a spatial autocorrelation of malaria incidence and significant hotspots which was relatively stable throughout the study period. Furthermore, low socioeconomic status households were strongly associated with malaria hotspots (aOR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.40). CONCLUSION These fine-scale findings highlight a relatively stable spatio-temporal pattern of malaria risk and indicate that social and environmental factors play an important role in malaria incidence. Integrating data on these factors into existing malaria struggle tools would help in the development of sustainable bottleneck strategies adapted to the local context for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toussaint Rouamba
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- Center for Research in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Seydou Nakanabo-Diallo
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Karim Derra
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Eli Rouamba
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Adama Kazienga
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Yasuko Inoue
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Guinea, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Ernest K. Ouédraogo
- Direction Générale de la Météorologie du Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Moussa Waongo
- Direction Générale de la Météorologie du Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Sokhna Dieng
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, Rennes, France
| | - Abdoulaye Guindo
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- MRTC, Malaria and Training Research Center – Ogobara Doumbo, Bamako, Mali
| | - Boukary Ouédraogo
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- Direction Régionale de la Santé du Centre-Ouest, Ministère de la santé, Koudougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Kankoé Lévi Sallah
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, UMR1252 Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
| | - Seydou Barro
- Directorate of Health Information Systems, Ministry of Health, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Pascal Yaka
- Direction Générale de la Météorologie du Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou
- Center for Research in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro, Institute for Research in Health Sciences, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Jean Gaudart
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Hop Timone, BioSTIC, Marseille, France
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Degarege A, Fennie K, Degarege D, Chennupati S, Madhivanan P. Improving socioeconomic status may reduce the burden of malaria in sub Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211205. [PMID: 30677102 PMCID: PMC6345497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A clear understanding of the effects of housing structure, education, occupation, income, and wealth on malaria can help to better design socioeconomic interventions to control the disease. This literature review summarizes the relationship of housing structure, educational level, occupation, income, and wealth with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The protocol for this study is registered in PROSPERO (ID=CRD42017056070), an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews. On January 16, 2016, available literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. All but case studies, which reported prevalence or incidence of Plasmodium infection stratified by socioeconomic status among individuals living in SSA, were included without any limits. Odds Ratio (OR) and Relative Risk (RR), together with 95% CI and p-values were used as effect measures. Heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square, Moran’s I2, and tau2 tests. Fixed (I2<30%), random (I2≥30%) or log-linear dose-response model was used to estimate the summary OR or RR. Results After removing duplicates and screening of titles, abstracts, and full text, 84 articles were found eligible for systematic review, and 75 of them were included in the meta-analyses. Fifty-seven studies were cross-sectional, 12 were prospective cohort, 10 were case-control, and five were randomized control trials. The odds of Plasmodium infection increased among individuals who were living in poor quality houses (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.56–3.23, I2 = 27.7), were uneducated (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.19–1.54, I2 = 72.4.0%), and were farmers by occupation (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11–1.85, I2 = 0.0%) [p<0.01 for all]. The odds of Plasmodium infection also increased with a decrease in the income (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, tau2<0.001), and wealth index of individuals (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18–1.35, tau2 = 0.028) [p<0.001 for both]. Longitudinal studies also showed an increased risk of Plasmodium infection among individuals who were living in poor quality houses (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.47–2.25, I2 = 0.0%), were uneducated (OR 1.27, 1.03–1.50, I2 = 0.0%), and were farmers (OR 1.36, 1.18–1.58) [p<0.01 for all]. Conclusions Lack of education, low income, low wealth, living in poorly constructed houses, and having an occupation in farming may increase risk of Plasmodium infection among people in SSA. Public policy measures that can reduce inequity in health coverage, as well as improve economic and educational opportunities for the poor, will help in reducing the burden of malaria in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Degarege
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kristopher Fennie
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dawit Degarege
- Ethiopian Ministry of Health Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Shasank Chennupati
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Purnima Madhivanan
- Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore, India
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11
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Dasgupta S. Burden of climate change on malaria mortality. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:782-791. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Ippolito MM, Searle KM, Hamapumbu H, Shields TM, Stevenson JC, Thuma PE, Moss WJ, For The Southern Africa International Center Of Excellence For Malaria Research. House Structure Is Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Infection in a Low-Transmission Setting in Southern Zambia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:1561-1567. [PMID: 28820722 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
House structure may influence the risk of malaria by affecting mosquito entry and indoor resting. Identification of construction features associated with protective benefits could inform vector control approaches, even in low-transmission settings. We examined the association between house structure and malaria prevalence in a cross-sectional analysis of 2,788 children and adults residing in 866 houses in a low-transmission area of Southern Province, Zambia, over the period 2008-2012. Houses were categorized according to wall (brick/cement block or mud/grass) and roof (metal or grass) material. Malaria was assessed by point-of-care rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for Plasmodium falciparum. We identified 52 RDT-positive individuals residing in 41 houses, indicating an overall prevalence in the sample of 1.9%, ranging from 1.4% to 8.8% among the different house types. Occupants of higher quality houses had reduced odds of P. falciparum malaria compared with those in the lowest quality houses after controlling for bed net use, indoor insecticide spraying, clustering by house, cohabitation with another RDT-positive individual, transmission season, ecologic risk defined as nearest distance to a Strahler-classified third-order stream, education, age, and gender (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-0.73, P = 0.01 for houses with brick/cement block walls and metal roof; OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.09-0.52, P < 0.01 for houses with brick/cement block walls and grass roof). Housing improvements offer a promising approach to vector control in low-transmission settings that circumvents the threat posed by insecticide resistance, and may confer a protective benefit of similar magnitude to current vector control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Ippolito
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kelly M Searle
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Harry Hamapumbu
- Macha Research Trust, Macha Hospital, Choma District, Zambia
| | - Timothy M Shields
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jennifer C Stevenson
- The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Macha Research Trust, Macha Hospital, Choma District, Zambia
| | - Philip E Thuma
- The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - William J Moss
- Macha Research Trust, Macha Hospital, Choma District, Zambia
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Obaldia N. Determinants of low socio-economic status and risk of Plasmodium vivax malaria infection in Panama (2009-2012): a case-control study. Malar J 2015; 14:14. [PMID: 25603818 PMCID: PMC4320569 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-014-0529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identification of risk factors is important for the establishment of malaria elimination programmes tailored to specific regions. Type of house construction had been associated with increasing risk of acquiring malaria. This study aimed at establishing the association between determinants of low socio-economic status (SES) and type of house construction with the likelihood of living in a Plasmodium vivax malarious corregimiento (smallest political division) in Panama during 2009–2012. Methods To determine the association between type-2 houses (build with deciduous materials) and other determinants of low SES, with living in a malarious corregimiento, this study analyzed demographic and housing census data (2010), and malaria incidence aggregated at the corregimiento level (2009–2012), using a Spearman’s non-parametric correlation test to explore for associations, followed by a case–control study and a reduced multivariate logistic regression approach for confirmation. Results A descriptive temporal and spatial analysis indicated that P. vivax in Panama was associated with Amerindian reservations. Moreover, this study demonstrated that a strong correlation (deleterious effect) existed between living in a malarious corregimiento and being exposed to a type-2 house (OR = > 1.0) (p < 0.001), while, it showed an inverse correlation for exposure to type-1 houses (protective effect) (build with permanent materials) (OR = < 1.0) (p < 0.001). In the same way, a significant association between exposure to type-2 houses and the outcome of living in a malarious corregimiento was found using a case–control study approach (Chi2 test = p < 0.001), that was confirmed applying a reduced multivariate logistic regression fitted model. Conclusions This study demonstrated that living in a P. vivax malarious corregimiento in Panama during 2009–2012 was strongly correlated with those corregimientos having a high proportion of type-2 houses. A multivariate logistic regression approach at the house and corregimiento level indicated a strong association of type-2 houses, dirt floors and illiteracy with the likelihood of living in a malarious corregimiento. It is expected that these findings will help implement a multi-sectorial approach for the elimination of malaria in poor areas of Panama where malaria is endemic, which emphasizes house improvements such as mosquito-proofing and socio-economic development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-014-0529-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicanor Obaldia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. .,Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama, Panama.
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Tusting LS, Willey B, Lucas H, Thompson J, Kafy HT, Smith R, Lindsay SW. Socioeconomic development as an intervention against malaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2013; 382:963-72. [PMID: 23790353 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(13)60851-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Future progress in tackling malaria mortality will probably be hampered by the development of resistance to drugs and insecticides and by the contraction of aid budgets. Historically, control was often achieved without malaria-specific interventions. Our aim was to assess whether socioeconomic development can contribute to malaria control. METHODS We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the risk of malaria in children aged 0-15 years is associated with socioeconomic status. We searched Medline, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Campbell Library, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Health Systems Evidence, and the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre evidence library for studies published in English between Jan 1, 1980, and July 12, 2011, that measured socioeconomic status and parasitologically confirmed malaria or clinical malaria in children. Unadjusted and adjusted effect estimates were combined in fixed-effects and random-effects meta-analyses, with a subgroup analysis for different measures of socioeconomic status. We used funnel plots and Egger's linear regression to test for publication bias. FINDINGS Of 4696 studies reviewed, 20 met the criteria for inclusion in the qualitative analysis, and 15 of these reported the necessary data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The odds of malaria infection were higher in the poorest children than in the least poor children (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1·66, 95% CI 1·35-2·05, p<0·001, I(2)=68%; adjusted OR 2·06, 1·42-2·97, p<0·001, I(2)=63%), an effect that was consistent across subgroups. INTERPRETATION Although we would not recommend discontinuation of existing malaria control efforts, we believe that increased investment in interventions to support socioeconomic development is warranted, since such interventions could prove highly effective and sustainable against malaria in the long term. FUNDING UK Department for International Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy S Tusting
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Factors contributing to urban malaria transmission in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review. J Trop Med 2012; 2012:819563. [PMID: 23125863 PMCID: PMC3483782 DOI: 10.1155/2012/819563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa suffers by far the greatest malaria burden worldwide and is currently undergoing a profound demographic change, with a growing proportion of its population moving to urban areas. Urbanisation is generally expected to reduce malaria transmission; however the disease still persists in African cities, in some cases at higher levels than in nearby rural areas. Objective. This paper aims to collate and analyse risk factors for urban malaria transmission throughout sub-Saharan Africa and to discuss their implications for control. Methods. A systematic search on malaria and urbanisation was carried out focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. Particular interest was taken in vector breeding sites in urban and periurban areas. Results. A variety of urban vector breeding sites were catalogued, the majority of which were artificial, including urban agriculture, tyre tracks, and ditches. Natural breeding sites varied according to location. Low socioeconomic status was a significant risk factor for malaria, often present in peri-urban areas. A worrying trend was seen in the adaptation of malaria vector species to the urban environment. Urban malaria is highly focused and control programs should reflect this. Conclusion. As urbanisation continues and vector species adapt, continued monitoring and control of urban malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is essential.
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Lowassa A, Mazigo HD, Mahande AM, Mwang'onde BJ, Msangi S, Mahande MJ, Kimaro EE, Elisante E, Kweka EJ. Social economic factors and malaria transmission in Lower Moshi, northern Tanzania. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:129. [PMID: 22741551 PMCID: PMC3425329 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For many years social economic status has been used as an indicator to characterize malaria treatment seeking behaviors of communities and their adherence to malaria control programs. The present study was therefore conducted to assess the influence of household social economic status, knowledge, attitude and practice on treatment seeking behaviors, distance to health facilities and vector control measures in the Lower Moshi area, northern Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was carried out, a quantitative method was used to collect information from the households, and the household socio-economic status was estimated by employing a household asset-based approach. The structured questionnaire also collected information on malaria knowledge, attitudes and treatment seeking behaviors. Results A total of 197 (68.8% were female) household heads were interviewed. Distance to the health centers influenced malaria treatment seeking behaviors especially for children (P = 0.001) and the number of visits to the health facilities made by the household members (P = 0.001). The head of the households' level of education had an influence on bed-net retreatment (P < 0.001) and acceptability of larval control programmes (P <0.001). Similarly, a significant association was observed between bed-net retreatment, larval control and occupation of the head of the household . Conclusion Distance to the health centre influenced malaria treatment seeking behaviors, and the number of visits made by the household members. In addition, the education level of the household heads played a role in understanding and in the selection of malaria interventions for the households. Increasing the number of health facilities close to rural areas will improve malaria treatment seeking behavior, case management and hence reduce malaria-associated morbidities, especially in high risk groups.
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Haque U, Scott LM, Hashizume M, Fisher E, Haque R, Yamamoto T, Glass GE. Modelling malaria treatment practices in Bangladesh using spatial statistics. Malar J 2012; 11:63. [PMID: 22390636 PMCID: PMC3350424 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria treatment-seeking practices vary worldwide and Bangladesh is no exception. Individuals from 88 villages in Rajasthali were asked about their treatment-seeking practices. A portion of these households preferred malaria treatment from the National Control Programme, but still a large number of households continued to use drug vendors and approximately one fourth of the individuals surveyed relied exclusively on non-control programme treatments. The risks of low-control programme usage include incomplete malaria treatment, possible misuse of anti-malarial drugs, and an increased potential for drug resistance. Methods The spatial patterns of treatment-seeking practices were first examined using hot-spot analysis (Local Getis-Ord Gi statistic) and then modelled using regression. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression identified key factors explaining more than 80% of the variation in control programme and vendor treatment preferences. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was then used to assess where each factor was a strong predictor of treatment-seeking preferences. Results Several factors including tribal affiliation, housing materials, household densities, education levels, and proximity to the regional urban centre, were found to be effective predictors of malaria treatment-seeking preferences. The predictive strength of each of these factors, however, varied across the study area. While education, for example, was a strong predictor in some villages, it was less important for predicting treatment-seeking outcomes in other villages. Conclusion Understanding where each factor is a strong predictor of treatment-seeking outcomes may help in planning targeted interventions aimed at increasing control programme usage. Suggested strategies include providing additional training for the Building Resources across Communities (BRAC) health workers, implementing educational programmes, and addressing economic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubydul Haque
- International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Determinants of household food access among small farmers in the Andes: examining the path. Public Health Nutr 2012; 16:136-45. [PMID: 22348247 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980012000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Household food access remains a concern among primarily agricultural households in lower- and middle-income countries. We examined the associations among domains representing livelihood assets (human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital) and household food access. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey (two questionnaires) on livelihood assets. SETTING Metropolitan Pillaro, Ecuador; Cochabamba, Bolivia; and Huancayo, Peru. SUBJECTS Households (n = 570) involved in small-scale agricultural production in 2008. RESULTS Food access, defined as the number of months of adequate food provisioning in the previous year, was relatively good; 41 % of the respondents indicated to have had no difficulty in obtaining food for their household in the past year. Using bivariate analysis, key livelihood assets indicators associated with better household food access were identified as: age of household survey respondent (P = 0.05), participation in agricultural associations (P = 0.09), church membership (P = 0.08), area of irrigated land (P = 0.08), housing material (P = 0.06), space within the household residence (P = 0.02) and satisfaction with health status (P = 0.02). In path models both direct and indirect effects were observed, underscoring the complexity of the relationships between livelihood assets and household food access. Paths significantly associated with better household food access included: better housing conditions (P = 0.01), more space within the household residence (P = 0.001) and greater satisfaction with health status (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Multiple factors were associated with household food access in these peri-urban agricultural households. Food security intervention programmes focusing on food access need to deal with both agricultural factors and determinants of health to bolster household food security in challenging lower- and middle-income country contexts.
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Barghini A, de Medeiros BAS. Artificial lighting as a vector attractant and cause of disease diffusion. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2010; 118:1503-6. [PMID: 20675268 PMCID: PMC2974685 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Revised: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditionally, epidemiologists have considered electrification to be a positive factor. In fact, electrification and plumbing are typical initiatives that represent the integration of an isolated population into modern society, ensuring the control of pathogens and promoting public health. Nonetheless, electrification is always accompanied by night lighting that attracts insect vectors and changes people's behavior. Although this may lead to new modes of infection and increased transmission of insect-borne diseases, epidemiologists rarely consider the role of night lighting in their surveys. OBJECTIVE We reviewed the epidemiological evidence concerning the role of lighting in the spread of vector-borne diseases to encourage other researchers to consider it in future studies. DISCUSSION We present three infectious vector-borne diseases-Chagas, leishmaniasis, and malaria-and discuss evidence that suggests that the use of artificial lighting results in behavioral changes among human populations and changes in the prevalence of vector species and in the modes of transmission. CONCLUSION Despite a surprising lack of studies, existing evidence supports our hypothesis that artificial lighting leads to a higher risk of infection from vector-borne diseases. We believe that this is related not only to the simple attraction of traditional vectors to light sources but also to changes in the behavior of both humans and insects that result in new modes of disease transmission. Considering the ongoing expansion of night lighting in developing countries, additional research on this subject is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Barghini
- Laboratório de Estudos Evolutivos Humanos, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
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Sié A, Louis VR, Gbangou A, Müller O, Niamba L, Stieglbauer G, Yé M, Kouyaté B, Sauerborn R, Becher H. The Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Nouna, Burkina Faso, 1993-2007. Glob Health Action 2010; 3. [PMID: 20847837 PMCID: PMC2940452 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v3i0.5284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Revised: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is located in rural Burkina Faso and has existed since 1992. Currently, it has about 78,000 inhabitants. It is a member of the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in Developing Countries (INDEPTH), a global network of members who conducts longitudinal health and demographic evaluation of populations in low- and middle-income countries. The health facilities consist of one hospital and 13 basic health centres (locally known as CSPS). The Nouna HDSS has been used as a sampling frame for numerous studies in the fields of clinical research, epidemiology, health economics, and health systems research. In this paper we review some of the main findings, and we describe the effects that almost 20 years of health research activities have shown in the population in general and in terms of the perception, economic implications, and other indicators. Longitudinal data analyses show that childhood, as well as overall mortality, has significantly decreased over the observation period 1993–2007. The under-five mortality rate dropped from about 40 per 1,000 person-years in the mid-1990s to below 30 per 1,000 in 2007. Further efforts are needed to meet goal four of the Millennium Development Goals, which is to reduce the under-five mortality rate by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sié
- Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna, Nouna, Burkina Faso
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