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Background <p>Malaria has historically been a public health concern in Meghalaya with year-round transmission peaking during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. This study investigated malaria prevalence among suspected cases presenting at health centres across three districts of Meghalaya, in the northeastern region (NER) of India.</p> Methods <p>A multi-site, facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary health centres (PHC) and one district hospital from three geographically distinct regions of Meghalaya: West Khasi Hills [KH] district, West Jaintia Hills [JH] district, and South Garo Hills [GH] district. Individuals presenting at the selected healthcare facilities with malaria-like symptoms between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. Malaria cases were detected by light microscopy, RDT, and PCR. Malaria prevalence was estimated as the number of <i>Plasmodium</i> infections divided by the total number of participants providing a blood sample. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the risk factors of malaria.</p> Results <p>A total of 1,031 participants provided a blood sample for testing. Forty-five (4.4%) participants had a <i>Plasmodium</i> infection, most (60%) of which were <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. Malaria prevalence ranged from 1.8% in KH to 12.3% in GH. Diagnosis of malaria within the past 12&#xa0;months (OR = 9.2; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) and performing outdoor activities before bedtime (OR = 2.0; <i>P</i> = 0.023) or early morning (OR = 3.1; <i>P</i> = 0.010) were significantly associated with <i>Plasmodium</i> infection.</p> Conclusion <p>The results highlight heterogeneities in disease prevalence within an endemic area, and emphasizes the significance of local risk- factors, such as outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, in sustaining malaria transmission. Targeted interventions, community education, and better access to prevention and treatment can play an important role in reducing the disease burden.</p>

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Malaria risk, treatment-seeking, and prevention in Northeastern India: clinic-based surveillance of persistent transmission

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月12日

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  • Phibansuk Lyngdoh,
  • Rajiv Sarkar,
  • Mark L. Wilson,
  • Innang Lyngdoh,
  • Anne Kessler,
  • Jane M. Carlton,
  • Sandra Albert

摘要

Background

Malaria has historically been a public health concern in Meghalaya with year-round transmission peaking during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. This study investigated malaria prevalence among suspected cases presenting at health centres across three districts of Meghalaya, in the northeastern region (NER) of India.

Methods

A multi-site, facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary health centres (PHC) and one district hospital from three geographically distinct regions of Meghalaya: West Khasi Hills [KH] district, West Jaintia Hills [JH] district, and South Garo Hills [GH] district. Individuals presenting at the selected healthcare facilities with malaria-like symptoms between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. Malaria cases were detected by light microscopy, RDT, and PCR. Malaria prevalence was estimated as the number of Plasmodium infections divided by the total number of participants providing a blood sample. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the risk factors of malaria.

Results

A total of 1,031 participants provided a blood sample for testing. Forty-five (4.4%) participants had a Plasmodium infection, most (60%) of which were Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria prevalence ranged from 1.8% in KH to 12.3% in GH. Diagnosis of malaria within the past 12 months (OR = 9.2; P < 0.001) and performing outdoor activities before bedtime (OR = 2.0; P = 0.023) or early morning (OR = 3.1; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with Plasmodium infection.

Conclusion

The results highlight heterogeneities in disease prevalence within an endemic area, and emphasizes the significance of local risk- factors, such as outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, in sustaining malaria transmission. Targeted interventions, community education, and better access to prevention and treatment can play an important role in reducing the disease burden.