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Using the Hurst Exponent and Entropy Measures to Predict Effective Transmissibility in Empirical Series of Malaria Incidence. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12010496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We analyze the empirical series of malaria incidence, using the concepts of autocorrelation, Hurst exponent and Shannon entropy with the aim of uncovering hidden variables in those series. From the simulations of an agent model for malaria spreading, we first derive models of the malaria incidence, the Hurst exponent and the entropy as functions of gametocytemia, measuring the infectious power of a mosquito to a human host. Second, upon estimating the values of three observables—incidence, Hurst exponent and entropy—from the data set of different malaria empirical series we predict a value of the gametocytemia for each observable. Finally, we show that the independent predictions show considerable consistency with only a few exceptions which are discussed in further detail.
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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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