Abstract
BackgroundAntananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is located at an altitude of over 1,200 m. The environment at this altitude is not particularly favourable to malaria transmission, but malaria nonetheless remains a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to malaria in the urban population of Antananarivo, by measuring the specific seroprevalence of Plasmodium falciparum.MethodsSerological studies specific for P. falciparum were carried out with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). In a representative population of Antananarivo, 1,059 healthy volunteers were interviewed and serum samples were taken.ResultsThe seroprevalence of IgG+IgA+IgM was 56.1% and that of IgM was 5.9%. The major risk factor associated with a positive IgG+IgA+IgM IFAT was travel outside Antananarivo, whether in the central highlands or on the coast. The abundance of rice fields in certain urban districts was not associated with a higher seroprevalence.ConclusionMalaria transmission levels are low in Antananarivo, but seroprevalence is high. Humans come into contact with the parasite primarily when travelling outside the city. Further studies are required to identify indigenous risk factors and intra-city variations more clearly.
Highlights
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is located at an altitude of over 1,200 m
About 80% of the confirmed cases had travelled outside the city to areas exposed to malaria in the weeks preceding the survey, the remaining 20% of cases being cases of indigenous malaria due to local transmission [9]
Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, travelling outside Antananarivo and rice field index were significantly associated with the presence of
Summary
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is located at an altitude of over 1,200 m. The environment at this altitude is not favourable to malaria transmission, but malaria remains a major public health problem. Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is located on hills in the middle of the Central Highlands, at an altitude of between 1,200 and 1,400 m. About 80% of the confirmed cases had travelled outside the city to areas exposed to malaria in the weeks preceding the survey, the remaining 20% of cases being cases of indigenous malaria due to local transmission [9]. The mosaic nature of the Antananarivo environment exposes the inhabitants of certain zones to the risk of malaria outbreaks
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