Malaria Elimination in West Java, Indonesia: A Descriptive-and-Qualitative Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background & objectives: Following the World Health Organization (WHO) plans for 35 malaria-endemic countries, Indonesia will eliminate malaria by 2030. As one of the Indonesian provinces, West Java targeted sub-national malaria elimination in 2022. This article aims to describe malaria surveillance data and elimination programs, including weaknesses in sustaining the program. Methods: This study used secondary data from malaria surveillance information system regencies/cities’ case reports for 2019–2022 and achievement data of sub-national malaria elimination certification from each regency/city in 2014–2022. The data was confirmed from the evaluation study document, analysis of reported cases, and interviews. Results: Most cases were confirmed by microscopic examination (84.1% in 2021 and 94.4% in 2022) and rapid diagnostic tests (57% in 2019 and 58.1% in 2020). Malaria is more prevalent among men (93% in 2019, 95% in 2020, 96% in 2021, and 95.9% in 2022) and productive ages 15–64 (98.8% in 2019, 100% in 2020, 99.2% in 2021, and 98.8% in 2022), frequently occurs in the military (56.3% in 2019, 75.7% in 2020, 45.2% in 2021) and police (40.5% in 2022), often use passive case detection for identifying cases (97.9% in 2019 and 2020, 95.2% in 2021, and 97.6% in 2022), and the majority undergo inpatient treatment (86.4% in 2019, 81.7% in 2021, and 82.6% in 2022). Most positive cases originated from imported cases, and the last indigenous cases were still found in 2019. Plasmodium vivax dominated malaria cases, and relapses were high (55.0% in 2020, and 47.3% in 2022). Interpretation & conclusion: All regencies/cities have obtained sub-national malaria elimination certification in 2022. West Java has the potential to be verified for Java-Bali sub-national malaria elimination targeted in 2023, albeit cases of imported malaria still occur. It is imperative to address the issue of imported cases transitioning into locally transmitted cases (introduced) by effective coordination across all regencies/cities and inter-provincial efforts.