Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Regional variation in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance genotypes and haplotypes of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase genes in Western Kenya.","authors":"Josephat Bungei, Collins Ouma, Daibin Zhong, Job Oyweri, Ming-Chieh Lee, Guofa Zhou, Harrysone Atieli, John Githure, Chloe Wang, Guiyun Yan","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05570-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05570-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Surveillance of molecular markers associated with antimalarial resistance in Plasmodium falciparum is critical for tracking the emergence, evolution, and spread of resistant malaria parasites in the population for timely and effective interventions. As shifting use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in Kenya constitutes a differential selection pressure, this study compared resistance genotypes and haplotypes in P. falciparum isolates from endemic and epidemic regions of western Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional design was employed to collect blood samples from febrile patients residing in Ahero in Kisumu County, an endemic region, and Marani in Kisii County, an epidemic region. Molecular markers for antifolate resistance, dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr) and dihydrofolate synthetase (Pfdhps), were genotyped for selected samples (N = 112) from Kisumu (n = 60) and Kisii (n = 52). Subsequent analysis was conducted for sequence polymorphisms, mutation frequency and haplotype prevalence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Genotyping of SP resistance markers identified 436H (28.8%), 437G (99%), and 540E (97.1%) in Pfdhps and 51I (100%), 59R (97.3%), and 108N (100%) in Pfdhfr as mutations that presented high frequency, with low multiplicity of infection (MOI) in both Kisumu (0.3196) and Kisii (0.2738). The double mutant SGEAA (70.18% in Kisumu vs. 51.06% in Kisii) and triple mutant HGEAA (26.31% vs. 44.68%) in Pfdhps, along with the triple mutant IRNI (86.67% vs. 98.08%) in Pfdhfr, exhibited significant regional differences in prevalence (p < 0.05). The Pfdhps-Pfdhfr haplotype analysis revealed a high prevalence of the quintuple mutant SGEAA-IRNI (57.89% in Kisumu vs. 48.94% in Kisii; p > 0.05) and a significantly higher prevalence of the sextuple mutant HGEAA-IRNI in Kisii compared to Kisumu (44.68% vs. 16.31%; p < 0.05). Comparatively, given that Pfdhps-516F and Pfdhfr-164L were the dominant alleles in Kisumu, while the Pfdhps-436H allele was dominant in Kisii, along with HGEAA and HGEAA-IRNI haplotypes (p < 0.05), they highlight regional variation in SP resistance genotypes and haplotypes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates that the fully resistant double Pfdhps-SGEAA and triple Pfdhfr-IRNI haplotypes have approached fixation in both endemic and epidemic regions, while the dominance of the 164L allele in the endemic region signals the emergence of super-resistance. These findings suggest a review of the therapeutic efficacy of SP and continuous surveillance of resistance due to the presence of fully resistant haplotype (SGEAA-IRNI) and super-resistant haplotype (F/HGEAA-IRNL) in the population of P. falciparum strains in western Kenya.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"310"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486705/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145206861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal and spatial trends of the prevalence of infections caused by Plasmodium parasites among rural community members in three regions with varying transmission intensities in Mainland Tanzania.","authors":"Daniel P Challe, Daniel A Petro, Filbert Francis, Misago D Seth, Rashid A Madebe, Salehe S Mandai, Rule Budodo, Angelina J Kisambale, Gervas A Chacha, Ramadhan Moshi, Ruth B Mbwambo, Dativa Pereus, Catherine Bakari, Doris Mbata, Beatus Lyimo, Grace K Kanyankole, Sijenunu Aaron, Daniel Mbwambo, Stella Kajange, Samwel Lazaro, Ntuli Kapologwe, Celine I Mandara, Vedastus W Makene, Deus S Ishengoma","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05530-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05530-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent reports showed persistence of malaria transmission and disease burden in rural communities, which has limited the impact of ongoing control and elimination strategies. This study investigated temporal and spatial trends of the prevalence of infections caused by Plasmodium parasites among community members from three regions with heterogeneous transmission intensities, following intensive use of different malaria control interventions in the past 20 years in Mainland Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Community surveys were conducted from 2021 to 2023, and involved 8166 individuals aged ≥ 6, living in rural communities in three regions of Kigoma, Ruvuma and Tanga. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic, anthropometric, clinical, parasitological, bed net use, type of house (traditional or modern), and socio-economic status (SES) data. The trends of the prevalence of infections caused by Plasmodium parasites detected using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) were determined using descriptive statistics and, and factors associated with the infections were determined using modified Poisson regression. The results were presented as crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence was 23.2% (n = 1896), with significant variations across regions and years (22.9% in 2021, 20.6% in 2022, and 26.9% in 2023; p < 0.001). School children (5- < 15 years; p < 0.001) and males (p < 0.001) had significantly higher prevalence in all years. The prevalence increased consistently in individuals with a history of fever within 48 h before the survey, from 40.1% in 2021 to 45.7% in 2022 (p = 0.049), and further to 58.6% in 2023 (p < 0.001). The prevalence and odds of infections were significantly higher among individuals who were not using bed nets (p ≤ 0.003) and those living in households with traditional houses (p < 0.001) or low SES (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of infections caused by Plasmodium parasites varied significantly over the 3 years, in the three regions, and among individuals with different demographic and clinical features. The highest prevalence was in 2023, and among school children, males, individuals with a fever history, and participants living in households with traditional houses or low SES. These findings underscore the need for targeted and adaptive malaria control strategies to address emerging hotspots and vulnerable groups or populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"301"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487506/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae in villages around the Soum agropolis in the Center-West Region of Burkina Faso.","authors":"Hamidou Ilboudo, Fadilah Traoré, Koama Bayili, Domonbabele François de Sales Hien, Elodie Doda Gricela Sanon, Helle Hansson, Bérenger Kaboré, Marc Christian Tahita, Karim Derra, Toussaint Rouamba, Ismaïla Bouda, Eli Rouamba, Michael Alifrangis, Hermann Sorgho, Pascal Magnussen, Halidou Tinto","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05562-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05562-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vector control for malaria prevention, primarily based on insecticide-treated materials, is increasingly threatened by the emergence and spread of insecticide resistance in key malaria vectors. Understanding the mechanisms of this resistance is essential for effective control strategies. In response to climate-related food insecurity, artificial dams and large agropoles have been set up in Burkina Faso. Considering the intensive use of insecticides in such areas, this study assessed the level of insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) populations in villages located at varying distances from the Soum agropolis in the Centre-West Region of Burkina Faso.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Endophilic gravid mosquitoes were manually collected (using an aspirator) from three villages (Seguedin, Nazoanga and Soum) at the beginning (July 2023) and at the end (October 2023) of the rainy season. Mosquitoes were identified morphologically, and female An. gambiae s.l. were reared in the laboratory. First-generation mosquitoes (3-5 days old) were tested for susceptibility to deltamethrin, bendiocarb, pirimiphos-methyl and PBO + deltamethrin using WHO protocols. PCR was used for species identification and detection of kdr West and kdr East mutations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 720 mosquitoes analysed, 96.3% (693/720) were identified. Anopheles coluzzii was predominant, representing 100% in Soum and Seguedin at both time points. In Nazoanga, Anopheles arabiensis accounted for 8.5% at the beginning and 5.4% at the end of the season. Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations were resistant to deltamethrin, with mortality ranging from 2% in Soum to 24.8% in Seguedin. Pre-exposure to PBO increased mortality in Soum from 2% to 88.2%, suggesting partial restoration of susceptibility. Resistance to bendiocarb increased by the end of the season in Nazoanga (mortality: 99% to 87%). All mosquito populations remained fully susceptible to pirimiphos-methyl (100% mortality), except in Nazoanga (99%). The kdr West mutation was detected in all villages, with the highest rate reported in Seguedin (0.60). The kdr East mutation was detected only in Nazoanga (0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights a high level of pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae s.l. in the study villages and confirms their susceptibility to organophosphates. These findings could contribute to guide resistance management strategies in agropole settings in Burkina Faso.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487365/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biting time of day in malaria mosquitoes is modulated by nutritional status.","authors":"Catherine E Oke, Samuel S C Rund, Maxwell G Machani, Abdul R M Sabtiu, Yaw Akuamoah-Boateng, Yaw A Afrane, Sarah E Reece","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05550-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05550-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transmission of vector-borne pathogens follows daily rhythms, occurring at the time of day that vectors forage for blood. Control measures, such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), have been particularly successful for reducing malaria transmission because they exploit the nocturnal biting behaviour of the Anopheles spp. that vector malaria. However, shifts in biting behaviour to earlier or later hours when people are unprotected can undermine the efficacy of ITNs. Despite the implications for malaria transmission, the mechanisms underlying these shifts remain poorly understood. Because food availability mediates activity and foraging rhythms, and ITNs block access to human blood as a food source, it was hypothesized that nutritional deprivation could cause mosquitoes to shift their biting behaviour to earlier or later in the diel cycle.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Female Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) mosquitoes were provided with a blood meal on day 3 post-emergence, and access to one of three feeding treatments that varied in nutritional resources: (i) 0.5% sucrose, (ii) 10% sucrose, or (iii) 10% sucrose plus an additional blood meal on day 6. Mosquitoes were released into a semi-field system on day 10 with human-mimic traps to investigate how food availability impacted the time of day that mosquitoes host seek.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nutritional resources determine both the likelihood and time of day that host-seeking occurs. Specifically, low-resourced mosquitoes were 2-3-fold more likely to host seek overall, and 5-10-fold more likely to host seek at an earlier time of day than well-resourced mosquitoes (fed 10% sucrose with and without an additional blood meal), which predominantly sought a host in the second half of the night time.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study reveals that mosquito nutritional condition drives plasticity in biting time of day, suggesting it is an underappreciated contributor to residual malaria transmission. Furthermore, the findings suggest that targeting mosquito nutrition (e.g. sugar-baited traps) could influence mosquito behaviour in ways that affect the success of ITNs. More broadly, understanding the drivers of biting time of day variation is crucial for the future success of vector control tools and controlling malaria transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"307"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487319/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of non-adherence to treatment guidelines, quantification and distribution practices on antimalarial commodities inventory levels in healthcare facilities at Turkana County, Kenya.","authors":"Brian N Muyokani, Peter N Karimi, Taraiya F Ntore, Jean Habagusenga, Abiud M Manyura","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05560-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05560-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria is a global public health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under the age of 5 years. In Kenya, it is among the top ten causes of morbidity and mortality as reported in the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS2). Adequate inventory levels of antimalarial medicines and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits must be available for proper malaria case management. Adherence to the malaria test and treat guidelinesand effective quantification, and distribution practices affect the health facility stock levels of antimalarial medicines and RDT kits. This study assessed the effect of non-adherence to treatment guidelines, quantification, and distribution on the inventory levels of antimalarial commodities in health facilities in Turkana County, Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study across facilities in Turkana County. Simple random sampling was used to select 152 health facilities, of which 132 participated in the study. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and an abstraction tool that was adapted from the standard logistics indicator abstraction tool (LIAT). Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, including means, proportions, and percentages.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data was collected from 132 respondents, and the majority (98, 74.2%) were male. One hundred and eight (81.8%) were nurses. Only 35 (26.5%) facilities adhered to the treatment guidelines. Quantification for antimalarial medicines and RDT kits was done quarterly using the consumption method, and seasonality was not considered to forecast reorder quantities. Most facilities (80, 60.6%) cited the lack of vehicles as a major challenge during the interfacility redistribution of commodities. Most of the health facilities were overstocked with commodities. The facilities that adhered to test and treat had lower average months of stock (9.5) of commodities in all categories, compared to those that treated more patients than those confirmed malaria-positive (13.2).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adherence to malaria treatment guidelines, quantification, and distribution practices for antimalarial medicines and RDT kits was suboptimal. This led to most facilities being overstocked with these commodities.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"298"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of shorter radical cure Plasmodium vivax treatment regimens and their implementation: a qualitative study among stakeholders in Cambodia.","authors":"Sarah A Cassidy-Seyoum, Keoratha Chheng, Phal Chanpheakdey, Agnes Meershoek, Michelle S Hsiang, Lorenz von Seidlein, Bipin Adhikari, Rupam Tripura, Benedikt Ley, Ric N Price, Dysoley Lek, Nora Engel, Kamala Thriemer","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05525-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05525-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Plasmodium vivax malaria remains a significant public health concern in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the Horn of Africa. Shorter, more effective treatment options for P. vivax malaria, including 7-day-high-dose primaquine and single-dose tafenoquine, are available and now included in global recommendations. However, the implementation of these options requires an understanding of their acceptability to inform implementation strategies and mitigate potential challenges.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Perceptions of policymakers, healthcare providers, and malaria service recipients regarding 7-day-high-dose primaquine and tafenoquine were explored through qualitative methods (interviews and focus group discussions) in the context of a pre-elimination setting in Cambodia. Data from 142 participants were analysed thematically through deductive and inductive coding and memo writing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Policymakers, programme officials, and healthcare providers identified the need for shorter treatment regimens in view of the low adherence and reduced effectiveness of longer treatment regimens. They attributed added value to these new interventions, associating better quality, increased effectiveness, and a decreased burden on the healthcare workers. For patients, the main purpose and value of shorter treatment options were reduced opportunity costs through faster recovery and being able to return to work sooner. The value attributed was contingent on the treatment options' adverse event profile, with some stakeholders being concerned about patients potentially experiencing more adverse events. However, patients themselves were willing to endure increased adverse events, provided they were for a shorter period and the shortened treatment enabled them to return to work more quickly. Policymakers were supportive but additional confidence-building through evidence generation is likely required.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acceptance of 7-day-high-dose primaquine and tafenoquine was high in the pre-elimination context of Cambodia. Based on this study's findings, the uptake of these new treatment options is likely but will require confidence-building through evidence generation for policymakers and enhanced monitoring of adverse events to increase acceptability.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"304"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487259/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Qualitative ethnobotanical survey on the virtues of Carapa procera and plants used for protection against mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire.","authors":"Fangala Hamidou Coulibaly, Alain Azokou, David Carrasco, Moumouni Koala, Marie Rossignol, Mohamed Haddad, Fabrice Chandre, Mamidou Witabouna Koné","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05531-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05531-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Carapa procera products, particularly the vegetable oil, are prized for their cosmetic, medicinal and especially insect repellent/insecticide properties. The latter property raises questions about the use of this plant against mosquitoes that transmit pathogens within Ivorian communities, given that Côte d'Ivoire is endemic for malaria. There is no scientific report on the use of C. procera and the plants traditionally used to prevent mosquito bites in Côte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study is therefore to determine the virtues of C. procera known to the people of Côte d'Ivoire and to identify the plants they use to protect themselves from mosquito bites.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 16 localities in 6 regions of Côte d'Ivoire. The surveys were carried out using non-probability sampling and semi-structured interviews. The sample for each locality was selected on the basis of response saturation. Samples of available or accessible plants cited by local people were collected for identification in the herbarium.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 121 people were interviewed. The study showed that 68.6% of respondents were familiar with C. procera. Carapa procera vegetable oil has been designated as an insect repellent, particularly for flies, mosquitoes and ants. The cosmetic, antimalarial, anti-fatigue and mystical uses of the plant have been listed. The study showed that 47.1% of respondents used plants to protect themselves against mosquitoes. Twelve plant species traditionally used against mosquitoes were identified: Nicotiana tabacum, Hyptis suaveolens, Ocimum basilicum, Citrus sinensis, Azadirachta indica, Elaeis guineensis, Chromolaena odorata, Hoslundia opposita, Ocimum gratissimum, Piliostigma thonningii, Alstonia boonei and Phyllanthus amarus. The most common method of use was to fumigate fresh or dried plants inside homes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study presented the reasons for the use of C. procera and other plants used against mosquitoes in Côte d'Ivoire. It shows the importance of plant substances in protecting communities against mosquitoes, despite the deployment of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (LLINs) and the spraying of insecticides by health programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"303"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12486774/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimating malaria risk behaviours and their determinants among at-risk populations in a pre-elimination setting, Sisaket Province, Thailand-Cambodia border.","authors":"Manop Saeung, Pyae Linn Aung, Natapong Jupatanakul, Sylvie Manguin, Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, Suparat Phuanukoonnon","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05558-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05558-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human behavioural and occupational factors play a critical role in sustaining malaria transmission. This study aimed to identify factors associated with poor levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and factors influencing risk behaviours among at-risk populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A survey of 402 at-risk individuals was conducted in Sisaket Province in late 2022, where substantial progress in malaria elimination has been achieved. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with KAP and malaria risk behaviours.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over half of the participants demonstrated good knowledge (51.5%), attitudes (64.7%), and practices (58.2%) regarding malaria transmission, treatment, and prevention. Poor attitudes were significantly more likely among individuals with lower education levels [primary or below: aOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0); senior primary: aOR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.8] and low socioeconomic status (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0). Poor practices were less common among individuals working in agriculture (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5). Risk behaviours were significantly more frequent among males (aOR: 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.8) and individuals with poor practices (aOR: 3.5, 95% CI 1.6-8.1).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite overall moderate KAP levels, gaps in attitudes and risk behaviours persist. Targeted strategies, such as social and behaviour change communication, should focus on improving attitudes among individuals with low education levels and reducing risk behaviours among males and those with poor practices by promoting adherence to effective preventive measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"293"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487564/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Larval habitat diversity, physicochemical characteristics and their effect on the larval density of malaria vectors in the city of Accra, Ghana.","authors":"Abdul Rahim Mohammed Sabtiu, Isaac Amankona Hinne, Isaac Kwame Sraku, Daniel Kodjo Halou, Richard Tettey Doe, Simon Kwaku Attah, Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Yaw Asare Afrane","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05540-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05540-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria is more prevalent in rural areas than the urban environment partly due to less availability of Anopheles breeding habitats of natural origin in urban settings. However, recent studies have reported an increase in malaria cases in urban areas, possibly due to an increase in urban irrigated vegetable farming, open sewers, and discarded containers creating mosquito breeding habitats. This study investigated the diversity and distribution of mosquito larval habitats and the impact of physicochemical characteristics on the presence and density of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) larvae in Accra, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Larval surveys and collections were conducted at 15 locations in Accra, during both the dry season (February to March) and rainy season (June to July) of 2022, using the WHO standard dipping method. These sites were divided into five categories: irrigated urban farming (IUF); Lower Socio-economic Status (LS); Middle Socio-economic Status (MS); High Socio-economic Status (HS); and, Peri-urban (PU) areas. Physicochemical parameters were measured and species identification was performed using morphological and molecular methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 727 potential mosquito habitats were identified, with 65.34% (475/727) positive for Anopheles larvae. Drainage ditches were the most common habitat type (48.21%; 229/475). The highest abundance of An. gambiae s.l. was found in IUF sites (27.24%; 6244/22,919), especially during the rainy season (77.01%; 17,650/22,919; R² = 3.46, p = 0.000). Polluted habitats, including household effluents, had higher ammonium levels (3.4 mg/L NH₄-N) compared to unpolluted ones (1.3 mg/L NH₄-N). Other distinguishing parameters included dissolved oxygen (34% vs 52.9%), conductivity (5106 µS/cm vs 2049 µS/cm), and total dissolved solids (3181 mg/L vs 1255 mg/L). The predominant malaria vector was Anopheles coluzzii (54.4%; 368/677). Additionally, the presence of invasive Anopheles stephensi was detected in this study.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malaria vectors were seen breeding in a variety of habitats in Accra, with irrigated urban farming sites having the highest Anopheles larval abundance. Anopheles coluzzii was the dominant malaria vector. Continuous vector monitoring and control in urban settings is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"299"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring near-infrared spectroscopy ability to predict the age and species of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes from different environmental conditions in Burkina Faso.","authors":"Nicaise D C Djègbè, Dari F Da, Bernard M Somé, Lawata Inès G Paré, Fatoumata Cissé, Jacques Kaboré, Thomas S Churcher, Roch K Dabiré","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05554-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05554-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has shown ability in previous studies to predict age and species of laboratory-reared and wild mosquitoes with moderate to high accuracy. To validate the technique as a routine tool, it is necessary to assess NIRS accuracy on these variables under different environmental conditions susceptible to affect the mosquito cuticle and interfere with the machine accuracy. This study investigated the influence of environmental conditions on NIRS accuracy to determine the age and species of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Environmental conditions of three important seasonal periods in Burkina Faso covering the onset, the peak and the end of the rainy season were mimicked in the laboratory using incubators. Emerged An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii from laboratory colonies were reared in each period using temperature and relative humidity for predicting mosquito species by NIRS. Wild An. gambiae s.l. (n = 3788) were caught during the 3 different periods described above and analysed by NIRS to predict Anopheles species. Furthermore, first generation of wild Anopheles (n = 1014) was used to assess NIRS ability to classify mosquito age in each environmental condition. All data analysis were performed using a binomial logistic regression model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>NIRS discriminated between laboratory-reared Anopheles with 83% of accuracy independently of any environmental condition. Similar trend was found in wild-caught Anopheles. NIRS accuracies varied slightly in laboratory Anopheles (77-85%) and more strongly in their field counterparts (67-84%). In both cases, models developed from the season of interest were more accurate than models trained with insectary conditions or from a different period of the year, indicating temperature and humidity can impact NIRS accuracy. Models derived from laboratory-mosquitoes reared under fluctuating environmental conditions predicted field-derived mosquito species with a low accuracy (59%). Models trained on varying conditions reliably classified age into two categories (< 9 days or ≥ 9 days, 79-84% accuracy).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>NIRS was able to predict An. gambiae s.l. species and classified age into two categories under different environmental conditions with modest accuracy. Models trained using wild mosquitoes from one season could predict species in wild mosquitoes from a different season, though with slightly lower accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"306"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}