High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia
Abstract Background In Ethiopia, thousands of seasonal migrant workers travel from non-malaria or mild malaria transmission areas to malaria-endemic areas for seasonal farm activities. Most of these migrants stay in the farm areas for land preparation, plowing, planting, weeding, and harvesting for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04211-9 |
| _version_ | 1818207800065523712 |
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| author | Tesfaye Tilaye Belay Tessema Kassahun Alemu |
| author_facet | Tesfaye Tilaye Belay Tessema Kassahun Alemu |
| author_sort | Tesfaye Tilaye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In Ethiopia, thousands of seasonal migrant workers travel from non-malaria or mild malaria transmission areas to malaria-endemic areas for seasonal farm activities. Most of these migrants stay in the farm areas for land preparation, plowing, planting, weeding, and harvesting for a specific period and return to their living areas. However, there is limited evidence of how seasonal migrant workers contribute to the transmission of malaria to new or less malaria transmission areas. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the departure phase of seasonal migrant workers in the Metema district from September 2018 to October 2019. A total of 1208 seasonal migrant workers were interviewed during their departure from farm sites to their homes. The face-to-face interviews were performed using a pretested structured questionnaire. Moreover, blood samples were collected from each study participant for microscopic malaria parasite examination. The data were fitted with the logistic regression model to estimate the predictors of malaria transmission. Results At departure to home, the prevalence of malaria among seasonal migrant workers was 17.5% (15.6–19.45%). Approximately 71.80% (177/212) of the cases were Plasmodium falciparum, and 28.20% (35/212) were Plasmodium vivax. Most seasonal migrant workers 934 (77.4%) were from rural residences and highlanders 660 (55%). Most 661 (55.4%) of the migrants visited two and more farm sites during their stay at development corridors for harvesting activities. Approximately 116 (54.7%) asymptomatic malaria cases returned to the Dembia 46 (21.7%), Chilaga 46 (19.8%) and Metema 28 (13.2%) districts. Conclusion In this study, asymptomatic malaria remains high among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas. This may fuel a resurgence of malaria transmission in the high lands and cause challenges to the country's malaria prevention and elimination efforts. Hence, tailored interventions for seasonal migrant workers could be in place to enhance malaria control and elimination in Ethiopia, such as asymptomatic malaria test and treat positive cases at departure and transit, and integration between malaria officers at their origin and departure for further follow-up to decrease any risk of spread at the origin. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:34:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-42dc122fee6d4babb26158e91f33431e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:34:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-42dc122fee6d4babb26158e91f33431e2022-12-22T00:37:59ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752022-06-0121111310.1186/s12936-022-04211-9High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest EthiopiaTesfaye Tilaye0Belay Tessema1Kassahun Alemu2Institute of Public Health, University of GondarDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarInstitute of Public Health, University of GondarAbstract Background In Ethiopia, thousands of seasonal migrant workers travel from non-malaria or mild malaria transmission areas to malaria-endemic areas for seasonal farm activities. Most of these migrants stay in the farm areas for land preparation, plowing, planting, weeding, and harvesting for a specific period and return to their living areas. However, there is limited evidence of how seasonal migrant workers contribute to the transmission of malaria to new or less malaria transmission areas. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the departure phase of seasonal migrant workers in the Metema district from September 2018 to October 2019. A total of 1208 seasonal migrant workers were interviewed during their departure from farm sites to their homes. The face-to-face interviews were performed using a pretested structured questionnaire. Moreover, blood samples were collected from each study participant for microscopic malaria parasite examination. The data were fitted with the logistic regression model to estimate the predictors of malaria transmission. Results At departure to home, the prevalence of malaria among seasonal migrant workers was 17.5% (15.6–19.45%). Approximately 71.80% (177/212) of the cases were Plasmodium falciparum, and 28.20% (35/212) were Plasmodium vivax. Most seasonal migrant workers 934 (77.4%) were from rural residences and highlanders 660 (55%). Most 661 (55.4%) of the migrants visited two and more farm sites during their stay at development corridors for harvesting activities. Approximately 116 (54.7%) asymptomatic malaria cases returned to the Dembia 46 (21.7%), Chilaga 46 (19.8%) and Metema 28 (13.2%) districts. Conclusion In this study, asymptomatic malaria remains high among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas. This may fuel a resurgence of malaria transmission in the high lands and cause challenges to the country's malaria prevention and elimination efforts. Hence, tailored interventions for seasonal migrant workers could be in place to enhance malaria control and elimination in Ethiopia, such as asymptomatic malaria test and treat positive cases at departure and transit, and integration between malaria officers at their origin and departure for further follow-up to decrease any risk of spread at the origin.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04211-9Asymptomatic malariaMalaria transmissionSeasonal migrant workers |
| spellingShingle | Tesfaye Tilaye Belay Tessema Kassahun Alemu High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia Malaria Journal Asymptomatic malaria Malaria transmission Seasonal migrant workers |
| title | High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia |
| title_full | High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia |
| title_short | High asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest Ethiopia |
| title_sort | high asymptomatic malaria among seasonal migrant workers departing to home from malaria endemic areas in northwest ethiopia |
| topic | Asymptomatic malaria Malaria transmission Seasonal migrant workers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04211-9 |
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