Abstract
BackgroundMalaria is still an endemic disease of public health importance in Malaysia. Populations at risk of contracting malaria includes indigenous people, traditional villagers, mobile ethnic groups and land scheme settlers, immigrants from malaria endemic countries as well as jungle workers and loggers. The predominant species are Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. An increasing number of P. knowlesi infections have also been encountered. The principal vectors in Peninsular Malaysia are Anopheles maculatus and An. cracens. This study aims to determine the changes in spatial distribution of malaria in Peninsular Malaysia from year 2000–2009.MethodsData for the study was collected from Ministry of Health, Malaysia and was analysed using Geographic Information System (GIS).ResultsChanges for a period of 10 years of malaria spatial distribution in 12 states of Peninsular Malaysia were documented and discussed. This is illustrated by digital mapping according to five variables; incidence rate (IR), fatality rate (FR), annual blood examination rate (ABER), annual parasite index (API) and slide positivity rate (SPR).ConclusionThere is a profound change in the spatial distribution of malaria within a 10-year period. This is evident from the digital mapping of the infection in Peninsular Malaysia.
Highlights
IntroductionPopulations at risk of contracting malaria includes indigenous people, traditional villagers, mobile ethnic groups and land scheme settlers, immigrants from malaria endemic countries as well as jungle workers and loggers
Malaria is still an endemic disease of public health importance in Malaysia
Changes for a period of ten years of malaria spatial distribution in 12 states of Peninsular Malaysia are illustrated by digital mapping according to five parameters; incidence rate (IR), fatality rate (FR), annual blood examination rate (ABER), annual parasite index (API) and slide positivity rate (SPR)
Summary
Populations at risk of contracting malaria includes indigenous people, traditional villagers, mobile ethnic groups and land scheme settlers, immigrants from malaria endemic countries as well as jungle workers and loggers. Being one of the major parasitic diseases in Malaysia, malaria affects indigenous people, traditional villagers, mobile ethnic groups and land scheme settlers, immigrants from malaria endemic countries as well as jungle. The highest malaria incidence was recorded in the 20–39 years old age group ([3], Unpublished data from Disease Control Division Ministry of Health records). There were more males infected with malaria compared to females probably due to the former being involved in outdoor activities ([3,6], Unpublished data from Disease Control Division Ministry of Health records)
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