Forest-Going and Malaria Risk in Lao PDR
Author Information
Author(s): Gallalee Sarah, Dantzer Emily, Rerolle Francois, Chindavongsa Keobouphaphone, Phongluxa Khampheng, Lasichanh Wattana, Smith Jennifer L., Gosling Roly, Lover Andrew, Hongvanthong Bouasy, Bennett Adam, Tchounwou Paul B.
Primary Institution: Malaria Elimination Initiative, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
Is spending time in the forest a risk factor for malaria infection in Champasak Province, Lao PDR?
Conclusion
Spending more nights in the forest is associated with a significantly higher risk of malaria infection in southern Lao PDR.
Supporting Evidence
- 244 out of 2933 fever cases tested positive for malaria.
- Sleeping 3–7 nights in the forest was associated with 9.7 times the odds of malaria infection.
- Men had 2.23 times the odds of malaria compared to women.
- 92% of P. falciparum cases occurred during the dry season.
Takeaway
If you sleep in the forest, especially for a long time, you might get sick with malaria. It's important to be careful if you go into the forest.
Methodology
A case-control study using routine surveillance data and multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between forest-going and malaria infection.
Potential Biases
Potential differential misclassification of exposure due to health workers focusing on cases over controls.
Limitations
Missing data on forest-going behavior and potential selection bias due to treatment-seeking behavior.
Participant Demographics
86% were over 15 years old, 82% male, and 78% reported their primary occupation as farmers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 4.67–20.31
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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