Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014
Abstract Background As Swaziland progresses towards national malaria elimination, the importation of parasites into receptive areas becomes increasingly important. Imported infections have the potential to instigate local transmission and sustain local parasite reservoirs. Methods Travel histories f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-09-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2004-8 |
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| author | Natalia Tejedor‐Garavito Nomcebo Dlamini Deepa Pindolia Adam Soble Nick W. Ruktanonchai Victor Alegana Arnaud Le Menach Nyasatu Ntshalintshali Bongani Dlamini David L. Smith Andrew J. Tatem Simon Kunene |
| author_facet | Natalia Tejedor‐Garavito Nomcebo Dlamini Deepa Pindolia Adam Soble Nick W. Ruktanonchai Victor Alegana Arnaud Le Menach Nyasatu Ntshalintshali Bongani Dlamini David L. Smith Andrew J. Tatem Simon Kunene |
| author_sort | Natalia Tejedor‐Garavito |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As Swaziland progresses towards national malaria elimination, the importation of parasites into receptive areas becomes increasingly important. Imported infections have the potential to instigate local transmission and sustain local parasite reservoirs. Methods Travel histories from Swaziland’s routine surveillance data from January 2010 to June 2014 were extracted and analysed. The travel patterns and demographics of rapid diagnostic test (RDT)-confirmed positive cases identified through passive and reactive case detection (RACD) were analysed and compared to those found to be negative through RACD. Results Of 1517 confirmed cases identified through passive surveillance, 67% reported travel history. A large proportion of positive cases reported domestic or international travel history (65%) compared to negative cases (10%). The primary risk factor for malaria infection in Swaziland was shown to be travel, more specifically international travel to Mozambique by 25- to 44-year old males, who spent on average 28 nights away. Maputo City, Inhambane and Gaza districts were the most likely travel destinations in Mozambique, and 96% of RDT-positive international travellers were either Swazi (52%) or Mozambican (44%) nationals, with Swazis being more likely to test negative. All international travellers were unlikely to have a bed net at home or use protection of any type while travelling. Additionally, paths of transmission, important border crossings and means of transport were identified. Conclusion Results from this analysis can be used to direct national and well as cross-border targeting of interventions, over space, time and by sub-population. The results also highlight that collaboration between neighbouring countries is needed to tackle the importation of malaria at the regional level. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:27:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4b09928b81b741bbbc7a012fadef31e5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T19:27:24Z |
| publishDate | 2017-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-4b09928b81b741bbbc7a012fadef31e52022-12-21T18:52:48ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752017-09-0116111810.1186/s12936-017-2004-8Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014Natalia Tejedor‐Garavito0Nomcebo Dlamini1Deepa Pindolia2Adam Soble3Nick W. Ruktanonchai4Victor Alegana5Arnaud Le Menach6Nyasatu Ntshalintshali7Bongani Dlamini8David L. Smith9Andrew J. Tatem10Simon Kunene11WorldPop, University of SouthamptonNational Malaria Control ProgrammeClinton Health Access InitiativeClinton Health Access InitiativeWorldPop, University of SouthamptonWorldPop, University of SouthamptonClinton Health Access InitiativeClinton Health Access InitiativeClinton Health Access InitiativeInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of WashingtonWorldPop, University of SouthamptonNational Malaria Control ProgrammeAbstract Background As Swaziland progresses towards national malaria elimination, the importation of parasites into receptive areas becomes increasingly important. Imported infections have the potential to instigate local transmission and sustain local parasite reservoirs. Methods Travel histories from Swaziland’s routine surveillance data from January 2010 to June 2014 were extracted and analysed. The travel patterns and demographics of rapid diagnostic test (RDT)-confirmed positive cases identified through passive and reactive case detection (RACD) were analysed and compared to those found to be negative through RACD. Results Of 1517 confirmed cases identified through passive surveillance, 67% reported travel history. A large proportion of positive cases reported domestic or international travel history (65%) compared to negative cases (10%). The primary risk factor for malaria infection in Swaziland was shown to be travel, more specifically international travel to Mozambique by 25- to 44-year old males, who spent on average 28 nights away. Maputo City, Inhambane and Gaza districts were the most likely travel destinations in Mozambique, and 96% of RDT-positive international travellers were either Swazi (52%) or Mozambican (44%) nationals, with Swazis being more likely to test negative. All international travellers were unlikely to have a bed net at home or use protection of any type while travelling. Additionally, paths of transmission, important border crossings and means of transport were identified. Conclusion Results from this analysis can be used to direct national and well as cross-border targeting of interventions, over space, time and by sub-population. The results also highlight that collaboration between neighbouring countries is needed to tackle the importation of malaria at the regional level.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2004-8Imported malariaTravel historyMalaria eliminationReactive case detectionSurveillance system |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Tejedor‐Garavito Nomcebo Dlamini Deepa Pindolia Adam Soble Nick W. Ruktanonchai Victor Alegana Arnaud Le Menach Nyasatu Ntshalintshali Bongani Dlamini David L. Smith Andrew J. Tatem Simon Kunene Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 Malaria Journal Imported malaria Travel history Malaria elimination Reactive case detection Surveillance system |
| title | Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 |
| title_full | Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 |
| title_fullStr | Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 |
| title_short | Travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in Swaziland, 2010–2014 |
| title_sort | travel patterns and demographic characteristics of malaria cases in swaziland 2010 2014 |
| topic | Imported malaria Travel history Malaria elimination Reactive case detection Surveillance system |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2004-8 |
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