Spatial heterogeneity of malaria in Indian reserves of Southwestern Amazonia, Brazil
2008

Spatial Analysis of Malaria in Indigenous Reserves of the Brazilian Amazon

Sample size: 4160 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Souza-Santos Reinaldo, de Oliveira Maurício VG, Escobar Ana Lúcia, Santos Ricardo Ventura, Coimbra Carlos EA Jr

Primary Institution: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz

Hypothesis

What is the spatial distribution of malaria cases among indigenous peoples in the Brazilian State of Rondônia?

Conclusion

Malaria risk varies widely between Indian reserves and environmental zones in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon.

Supporting Evidence

  • A total of 4,160 cases of malaria were recorded in 14 Indian reserves in the State of Rondônia between 2003 and 2006.
  • P. vivax accounted for 76.18% of malaria cases reported in the indigenous population of Rondônia.
  • Two reserves accounted for over half of the cases reported for the total indigenous population in the period.
  • Kernel mapping revealed a heterogeneous pattern of disease distribution.

Takeaway

This study looked at how malaria cases are spread out in different areas where indigenous people live in Brazil, showing that some places have a lot more cases than others.

Methodology

The study used passive morbidity data from the National Malaria Epidemiologic Surveillance System and kernel mapping to analyze malaria cases over a four-year period.

Potential Biases

Potential underreporting of malaria cases due to the limitations of the diagnostic method used.

Limitations

The study relied on passive case detection, which may underestimate the actual number of malaria cases.

Participant Demographics

The indigenous population of the State of Rondônia comprises 16 ethnic groups totaling approximately 7,700 people.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-072X-7-55

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