Geographic coincidence of increased malaria transmission hazard and vulnerability occurring at the periphery of two Tanzanian villages

Russell, Tanya L., Lwetoijera, Dickson W., Knols, Bart G.J., Takken, Willem, Killeen, Gerry F., and Kelly-Hope, Louise A. (2013) Geographic coincidence of increased malaria transmission hazard and vulnerability occurring at the periphery of two Tanzanian villages. Malaria Journal, 12 (1). 24. pp. 1-11.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (3MB)
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-12-2...
 
11
1133


Abstract

BACKGROUND:The goal of malaria elimination necessitates an improved understanding of any fine-scale geographic variations in transmission risk so that complementary vector control tools can be integrated into current vector control programmes as supplementary measures that are spatially targeted to maximize impact upon residual transmission. This study examines the distribution of host-seeking malaria vectors at households within two villages in rural Tanzania.

METHODS:Host-seeking mosquitoes were sampled from 72 randomly selected households in two villages on a monthly basis throughout 2008 using CDC light-traps placed beside occupied nets. Spatial autocorrelation in the dataset was examined using the Moran's I statistic and the location of any clusters was identified using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic. Statistical associations between the household characteristics and clusters of mosquitoes were assessed using a generalized linear model for each species.

RESULTS:For both Anopheles gambiae sensu lato and Anopheles funestus, the density of host-seeking females was spatially autocorrelated, or clustered. For both species, houses with low densities were clustered in the semi-urban village centre while houses with high densities were clustered in the periphery of the villages. Clusters of houses with low or high densities of An. gambiae s.l. were influenced by the number of residents in nearby houses. The occurrence of high-density clusters of An. gambiae s.l. was associated with lower elevations while An. funestus was also associated with higher elevations. Distance from the village centre was also positively correlated with the number of household occupants and having houses constructed with open eaves.

CONCLUSION:The results of the current study highlight that complementary vector control tools could be most effectively targeted to the periphery of villages where the households potentially have a higher hazard (mosquito densities) and vulnerability (open eaves and larger households) to malaria infection.

Item ID: 24767
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1475-2875
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2013 22:33
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960405 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species at Regional or Larger Scales @ 50%
Downloads: Total: 1133
Last 12 Months: 90
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page