The epidemiology of malaria in the Papua New Guinea highlands: 7. Southern Highlands Province.
- Author:
Maraga S
;
Pluss B
;
Schopflin S
;
Sie A
;
Iga J
;
Ousari M
;
Yala S
;
Meier G
;
Reeder JC
;
Mueller I.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Antimalarials/therapeutic use;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Endemic Diseases;
*Epidemics;
Female;
Geography, Medical;
Humans;
Malaria/drug therapy/*epidemiology/prevention & control;
Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy/epidemiology/prevention & control;
Malaria, Vivax/drug therapy/epidemiology/prevention & control;
Male;
Mosquito Nets/utilization;
Papua New Guinea/epidemiology;
Prevalence;
Young Adult
- From:
Papua New Guinea medical journal
2011;54(1-2):35-47
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
As the last part of a program to survey the extent of malaria transmission in the Papua New Guinea highlands, a series of rapid malaria surveys were conducted in 2003-2004 and 2005 in different parts of Southern Highlands Province. Malaria was found to be highly endemic in Lake Kutubu (prevalence rate (PR): 17-33%), moderate to highly endemic in Erave (PR: 10-31%) and moderately endemic in low-lying parts (< 1500 m) of Poroma and Kagua (PR: 12-17%), but was rare or absent elsewhere. A reported malaria epidemic prior to the 2004 surveys could be confirmed for the Poroma (PR: 26%) but not for the lower Kagua area. In Kutubu/Erave Plasmodium falciparum was the most common cause of infection (42%), followed by P. vivax (39%) and P. malariae (16%). In other areas most infections were due to P. vivax (63%). Most infections were of low density (72% < 500/ microl) and not associated with febrile illness. Overall, malaria was only a significant source of febrile illness when prevalence rates rose above 10%, or in epidemics. However, concurrent parasitaemia led to a significant reduction in haemoglobin (Hb) level (1.2 g/dl, CI95: [1.1-1.4.], p < 0.001) and population mean Hb levels were strongly correlated with overall prevalence of malarial infections (r = -0.79, p < 0.001). Based on the survey results, areas of different malaria epidemiology are delineated and options for control in each area are discussed.
