Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Eliminating malaria in Nigeria: insights from Egypt's success and pathways to sustainable eradication.","authors":"Stanley Chinedu Eneh, Chidera Gabriel Obi, Onyeka Chukwudalu Ekwebene, Gabriel Chidera Edeh, Oluwabusayo Awoso, Samson Adiaetok Udoewah, Francisca Ogochukwu Onukansi, Ogechi Vinaprisca Ikhuoria, Ikechukwu Alex Okoli, Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05391-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05391-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country bearing the highest global burden of the disease. Despite ongoing efforts, malaria continues to exact significant health, economic, and social tolls. Inspired by Egypt's successful malaria elimination strategies, this study explores actionable interventions that Nigeria can adapt to achieve sustainable malaria eradication. Egypt's achievements were driven by robust surveillance systems, vector control measures, political commitment, community engagement, and international collaboration. These strategies are assessed for scalability and applicability within Nigeria's unique socio-political and environmental context. Key focus areas include integrating advanced vector control techniques, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and fostering cross-border partnerships to mitigate transboundary transmission. Additionally, innovative approaches to address drug resistance, enhance public awareness, and promote equitable access to diagnosis and treatment are discussed. The recent rollout of Nigeria's R21 malaria vaccine underscores the need for complementary strategies, such as environmental management and improved surveillance technologies. By adopting a holistic, multi-sectoral approach informed by Egypt's success, Nigeria can significantly reduce its malaria burden, enhance health outcomes, and contribute to global malaria eradication efforts. This study emphasizes the importance of sustained political will, resource allocation, and community participation in achieving long-term success in malaria control and elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"183"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12150471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144258392","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":"Household practices and infrastructure associated with high Plasmodium falciparum infection rates among children under five years old in Northern Uganda.","authors":"Richard Echodu, Christopher Nyeko, Jacob Okot, Tereza Iwiru, Vivian Nakiwu, Frida Aryemo, Sandra Ajolorwot","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05288-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05288-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>It remains unclear how household structure and practices can contribute to Uganda's goal of becoming a malaria-free nation by 2040. Effective malaria prevention and control require the implementation of measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets, indoor residual spraying (IRS), treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), maintaining suitable housing structures, and practicing environmental management at the household level. This study examines household structure and practices related to malaria prevalence in children under five years old, as well as prevention and control efforts across five districts in Northern Uganda.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five districts (Gulu, Omoro, Amuru, Pader, and Lamwo) from November 2022 to March 2023 to assess malaria prevalence, prevention practices, and health-seeking behaviours. Data were collected using rapid diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum, observational checklists, and pre-tested questionnaires, with analysis performed using IBM SPSS Statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The survey included 597 households and 4524 individuals, with 25.6% being children under five years of age. Of 1157 children under five, 597 (51.6%) were tested, revealing RDT positive prevalence of 44.1%. Most households had over seven members, with an average of 3.69 people per bed net. While 77.6% of households owned mosquito nets, visual inspection revealed 70.2% were torn, and only 48.7% of individuals slept under a net the night before the survey. IRS coverage was low, with 97.7% of households not sprayed in the last three months. Health-seeking behaviour predominantly involved government health centers. Housing structures, particularly mud/clay walls and grass-thatched roofs, were significantly associated with higher malaria prevalence (p < 0.001). Were their enough untreated nets?</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A high prevalence of malaria was observed in children under five years old. This was closely linked to the poor use of bed nets, low coverage of IRS, and inadequate housing structures, which primarily consisted of grass-thatched roofs and mud or clay walls. The study highlights the urgent need for improved housing, IRS, and consistent use of insecticide-treated nets to reduce malaria prevalence.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"181"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12145591/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144248665","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":"Climate change and malaria control: a call to urgent action from Africa's frontlines.","authors":"Cyril Caminade, Diego Ayala, Thibaud de Chevigny, Olivia Ngou, André Tchouatieu, Florian Girond, Gildas A Yahouedo, Corinne S Merle, Emilie Pothin, Ibrahima Diouf, Emmanuel Hakizimana, Veronica Noseda, Jane L Deuve","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05431-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05431-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In December 2024, L'Initiative-Expertise France organized a workshop in Musanze, Rwanda, for National Malaria Control and Elimination Programmes (NMC/EPs) representatives from 19 sub-Saharan African countries. The workshop focused on surveillance, modeling, climate forecasting, and innovative control methods to mitigate climate change impacts on malaria. Participants shared challenges, experiences and best practices. Key challenges highlighted include shifts in malaria transmission seasons, disease spread to mid-altitude regions, and infrastructure damage from extreme weather. Additional factors, such as drug and insecticide resistance, the spread of Anopheles stephensi, and changes in vector behaviour, are exacerbating malaria transmission in African cities. Participants stressed the need for collaborative efforts to tackle these evolving threats. This comment reflects the expertise and insights of 19 NMCPs actively managing malaria control and aims at raising awareness, inform policy discussions, and strengthen global partnerships to address the intersection of malaria and climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"179"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12143057/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144248663","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":"Clinicians' experience with quinine-based treatment of malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy in Ghana: a phenomenological study.","authors":"Prosper Gyebuni, Yula Salifu, Joseph Lasong","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05342-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05342-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In pregnancy, treating malaria with quinine and reducing its adverse effects on pregnant women has posed a significant challenge to clinicians in malaria-endemic areas such as Ghana for over 2-decades. Clinicians' experiences, therefore, play a significant role in clinicians' choices of drugs to safeguard pregnant women. Thus, this study aims to explore clinicians' experiences with quinine-based treatment (QBT) of malaria in early pregnancy in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory qualitative approach, using a phenomenological design, was employed to allow for an in-depth exploration of the experiences of clinicians with QBT during first trimester pregnancy. The data were collected in-between June to July 2023, through key informant interviews with obstetricians/gynaecologists and in-depth interviews with other cadre of healthcare professionals, with a purposive sample of 26 participants, selected across the 2 largest healthcare facilities (Tamale Central Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital) in the Tamale Metropolis. The data were audio-recorded, transcribed and manually analysed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that clinicians have negative experiences, beliefs, and attitudes towards quinine-based treatment of malaria in pregnancy. Clinicians' experiences include deleterious side effects of quinine, professional norms, and institutional bottlenecks. Participants also encounter challenges related to clinicians and patient concordance, such as patients' beliefs, adherence to review schedules, fears of medico-legal issues, and myths about quinine which affect treatment choices. Participants' attitudes towards malaria treatment include \"watchful waiting\" and the tension to treat promptly amidst concerns about potential treatment risks. The novel findings of this study were \"watchful waiting\" and the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in early pregnancy with intravenous artesunate.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinicians' experiences with quinine-based treatment of malaria in pregnancy affect their attitude towards malaria treatment in pregnancy. Most clinicians with experiences of the side effects of quinine and patient negative beliefs about quinine, desist from prescribing it. It is important for the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to provide feedback systems that allow clinicians to communicate experiences on malaria treatment to policy makers to enable policy review on malaria treatment during pregnancy, particularly in first trimesters.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"178"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12142977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144234494","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":"Enhanced data quality to improve malaria surveillance in Papua, Indonesia.","authors":"Liony Fransisca, Faustina Helena Burdam, Enny Kenangalem, Annisa Rahmalia, Reynold Rizal Ubra, Christel H A van den Boogaard, Benedikt Ley, Nicholas M Douglas, Jeanne Rini Poespoprodjo, Ric N Price","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05358-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05358-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Papua has a high burden of malaria, with an annual parasite incidence 300 times the national average. A key component of malaria elimination strategies is robust surveillance which is essential for monitoring trends in case numbers, guiding public health interventions, and prioritizing resource allocation. This study aimed to enhance malaria surveillance in Central Papua, Indonesia, by improving data collection, record-keeping, and treatment practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted at five public clinics in Central Papua province, Indonesia, as part of a wider health systems strengthening programme to promote safer and more effective anti-malarial treatment (The SHEPPI Study). Clinical and laboratory details of patients with malaria and their treatment were documented in clinic registers which were digitalized into an electronic database. Automated reports were generated each month and used to provide regular feedback to clinic staff. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) workshops were conducted with clinic staff using the Plan-Do-Study-Act approach to address challenges and drive sustained improvements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between January 2019 and December 2023, a total of 314,561 patients were tested for malaria, of whom 41.9% (131,948) had peripheral parasitaemia detected. The first round of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) workshops were held in May 2019 and improved data quality significantly, increasing data completeness from 46.3% (4540/9802) in the initial period (Jan-May 2019) to 71.5% (9053/12,665) after the first CQI (Jun-Oct 2019), p < 0.001. The second CQI round reduced DHP prescribing errors from 17.1% (1111/6489) in the initial period to 5.7% (607/10,669) after the second CQI (Sep 2019-Jan 2020) and PQ prescribing errors from 17.4% (552/3175) to 3.4% (160/4659) over the same time interval, p < 001. In total, 347 patients were prescribed fewer than the recommended number of PQ tablets during the initial period, 89 (25.6%) of whom were erroneously given only a single dose. Over the 4 year study period, a total of 11 workshops were conducted, driving continuous improvements in data quality and prescribing practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>One or two rounds of CQI, supported by regular follow-up, can enhance the quality of malariometric surveillance, however interventions needed to be tailored to address specific needs of participating clinics. Improvements in data quality and prescribing practices have potential to contribute to better malaria management, improved clinical outcomes, and strengthened trust in healthcare providers.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12135496/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144225872","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":"Performance of malaria rapid diagnostic test, microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathology to diagnose malaria among pregnant and parturient women using peripheral, placental, and cord blood, and placental biopsy in Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Southwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Aklilu Alemayehu, Ahmed Zeynudin, Joseph Beyene, Delenasaw Yewhalaw","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05426-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05426-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate, reliable, and timely diagnosis is essential for mitigating malaria in pregnancy (MiP) and its adverse outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests for detecting Plasmodium infection in peripheral, placental, and cord blood and placental biopsy in the Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Southwest Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study involving 640 (460 pregnant and 180 parturient) women visiting five public health facilities for antenatal care and delivery services in Majang Zone was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. Peripheral, placental, and cord blood were collected to detect Plasmodium infection by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), microscopy, and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Placental biopsy was collected for placental malaria (PM) diagnosis by histopathology. Performance indices, Kappa Coefficient, and Receiver Operating Characteristic were determined using Statistical Package for Social Science Version 26.0, Microsoft Excel Version 19.0, and Stata Version 17.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One thousand blood (640 peripheral, 180 placental, and 180 cord) and 180 placental biopsy specimens collected from pregnant and parturient women were analysed in this study. Malaria positivity rate among pregnant and parturient women was 21.1% and 28.9%, respectively. Considering peripheral blood qPCR as a reference, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and agreement of RDT were (63.5%, 93.0%, 0.807, and 0.683), and microscopy were (73.1%, 98.0%, 0.855, and 0.764) to detect Plasmodium infection in combined peripheral blood of pregnant and parturient women, respectively. Considering placental blood qPCR as a reference, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and agreement of RDT were (56.3%, 95.5%, 0.759, and 0.574), microscopy were (81.3%, 97.7%, 0.895, and 0.822), and histopathology (87.5%, 100.0%, 0.892, and 0.911) to detect Plasmodium infection in placental blood of parturient women, respectively. Considering placental histopathology a as reference, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and agreement of RDT were (56.8%, 97.1%, 0.753, and 0.609), microscopy were (68.2%, 98.5%, 0.918, and 0.735), and qPCR (100.0%, 95.7%, 0.978, and 0.911) to detect Plasmodium infection in placental blood of parturient women, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Diagnostic performance of RDT and microscopy was sub-optimal to detect Plasmodium infection among pregnant and parturient women. More sensitive diagnostic tests are needed to mitigate MiP.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"175"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12128499/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199581","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":"An integrative review of the combined use of mathematical and statistical models for estimating malaria transmission parameters.","authors":"Alessandro Grosso, Niel Hens, Steven Abrams","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05415-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05415-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Characterizing malaria burden and its evolution is complicated by the high levels of spatio-temporal heterogeneity and by the complexity of the transmission process.</p><p><strong>Main body: </strong>This manuscript presents an integrative review of the combined use of mathematical and statistical models to estimate malaria transmission parameters. Therefore, this work aims to provide a solid methodological foundation for the estimation of transmission intensity and other relevant quantities. A perspective covering both mathematical and statistical models to appraise commonly used metrics is adopted and subsequently their inclusion as parameters in compartmental models as well as their estimation from available data is discussed. The current review argues in favour of a more widespread consideration of the Force of Infection (FOI) as a malaria transmission metric. Using the FOI dispenses the analyst from explicitly describing vector dynamics in compartmental modelling, simplifying the system of differential equations describing transmission dynamics. In turn, its estimation can be flexibly performed by solely relying on host data, such as parasitaemia or serology, avoiding the need for entomological data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present work argues that the interaction between mathematical and statistical models, although previously exemplified by others, is underappreciated when modelling malaria transmission. Orienting the exposition around the FOI provides an illustration of the potential borne by the existing methodology. A connection between the two modelling frameworks warrants better scrutiny, as it leads to the possibility of exploiting the full range of modern statistical methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187259","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":"Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites with pfhrp2 exon 2 gene deletion in symptomatic malaria patients across Ghana in 2021.","authors":"Dorcas G Bredu, Alexander Asamoah, George A Adu, Bernice C Abban, Sherik-Fa Anang, Nana Y Peprah, Prosper K Tey, Sebastian S Kwapong, Martin Chamai, Eunice O Amoako, Benjamin Abuaku, Linda E Amoah, Keziah L Malm","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05419-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05419-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2-based rapid diagnostic tests (PfHRP2-based RDTs) are the most widely used malaria RDTs across Africa. The emergence and spread of pfhrp2 gene-deleted parasites have prompted nationwide surveillance to monitor trends and potential hotspots for P. falciparum with pfhrp2 gene deletions. This study evaluated the prevalence and distribution of P. falciparum with pfhrp2 gene deletions in Ghana in 2021.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study utilized the First Response^® HRP2 RDT (First Response RDT) and the CareStart™ HRP2/panLDH Combo RDT (Combo kit) to screen individuals with suspected malaria seeking care in 160 public healthcare facilities across the 16 regions of Ghana between June and August 2021. Whole blood was collected from each study participant and used to prepare filter paper blood spots. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from the dried blood spots. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify and confirm the presence of P. falciparum and, subsequently, the pfhrp2 gene in each sample .</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall malaria positivity for the two RDTs was similar: 72.3% (95% CI: 71.4-73.2) for the First Response RDT and 71.5% (95% CI: 70.6-72.4) for the HRP2/panLDH Combo kit (p = 0.215). There were no pfhrp2 exon 2 gene deletions resulting from a false negative RDT, however, deletions were identified in 0.3% (19/5,611) of samples that tested positive for both the First Response RDT and the panLDH band of the Combo kit, and 9.1% (2/22) of the missed infections, leading to an overall pfhrp2 exon 2 gene deletion of 0.4% (21/5,633) in the population.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>No false negative sample was identified in this study, and less than 1% of parasites with pfhrp2 gene deletions (mainly from RDT positive samples) were found in the population . This finding offers assurance for the continued reliance on HRP2-based RDTs for malaria screening in public health clinics in Ghana. Nonetheless, continued surveillance is needed to determine the expansion of P. falciparum with these gene deletions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"170"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12121147/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144174051","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":"Co-design of a routine clinical review to improve the safety of high dose radical cure treatment for Plasmodium vivax malaria: findings from Cambodia and Ethiopia.","authors":"Sarah A Cassidy-Seyoum, Muthoni Mwaura, Keoratha Chheng, Muhaba Kejela, Kansite Gellebo Korra, Tsegaberhan Wodaj, Tamiru Shibiru Degaga, Michelle S Hsiang, Lorenz von Seidlein, Rupam Tripura, Bipin Adhikari, Benedikt Ley, Dysoley Lek, Ric N Price, Nora Engel, Kamala Thriemer","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05425-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05425-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Low dose primaquine regimens are widely used to treat Plasmodium vivax malaria, but they have limited efficacy and effectiveness. Short courses with higher daily doses as well as single dose tafenoquine have the potential to improve effectiveness but can increase the risk of adverse events. A clinical review visit on day 3 post-treatment initiation could facilitate adherence and improve safety, but it is unclear how it could be integrated into routine malaria care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between March and September 2023, focus group discussions (FGDs) with P. vivax malaria patients and healthcare providers were conducted in Cambodia and Ethiopia. In the FGDs participants co-designed a day 3 review suitable for their setting based on material infrastructure 'building blocks' (location, implementer, procedures, and support mechanisms). Nine FGDs were completed in three health facility catchment areas in Cambodia and six FGDs in four facilities in Ethiopia. Data were analysed using an inductive-deductive analytical process allowing the development of themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants in Cambodia and Ethiopia had different preferences for the material infrastructure of the day 3 review, from which a model for each country was developed. In Cambodia, proximity to patients was prioritized, maintaining the existing referral mechanism in which the initial day 3 review is conducted in the community, focusing on an enhanced symptom assessment. In Ethiopia, continuity of care was prioritized, resulting in the day 3 review occurring at the location of initial diagnosis, with a tiered approach to procedures conducted during the visit. In addition, the dynamics and relationships between people (relational infrastructure), specifically collaboration, were identified as key facilitators for the review's implementation in both study countries. Collaboration across levels of the health system and among healthcare providers was found to be a process influenced and necessitated by the environment (e.g., the infrastructural and epidemiological contexts), contributing to quality of care, continuity of care, safety, and effective treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Identifying how clinical review visits could be adapted to local settings is important and can be achieved through co-creation. Collaboration has the potential to enable quality of care and patient safety. Suitable ways of reinforcing this relational infrastructure are required to optimize case management of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12121043/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173909","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":"Blood feeding patterns of malaria mosquitoes collected using pit shelters and clay pots in the West Gojjam zone of Ethiopia.","authors":"Atakilt Arega, Abebe Animut, Fekadu Massebo","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05408-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05408-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Understanding the feeding behaviours and infection rates of malaria-transmitting Anopheles species is essential for designing effective vector control strategies. Therefore, this study investigated the species composition, blood meal sources, and infection rates of Anopheles mosquitoes in the rural village of Dilamo, West Gojjam, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten households were randomly selected in a malaria-endemic village. Two clay pots were placed under shade outside each house within a radius of 10 m, one in front of the house and the other at the back. Two other clay pots were placed inside the same household. Ten pit shelters were built, one at a distance of 10 m from each house, under shade. Mosquito sampling was done twice a month for four months. Anopheles mosquitoes were identified to species using morphological keys. The species of the Anopheles gambiae complex were molecularly identified. Testing for blood meal sources and circumsporozoite proteins (CSPs) was conducted using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 319 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, including the species Anopheles demeilloni, An. gambiae complex, Anopheles garnhami, Anopheles pretoriensis, and Anopheles cinereus. Among these, An. demeilloni was the dominant species, comprising 90.9% of the collection (290/319). The An. gambiae complex represented only 4.4% of the total (14/319). Out of 89 freshly fed Anopheles mosquitoes, 77 (86.5%) were examined for the source of their blood meal. Of these, 74 (96%) tested positive for blood from cattle, humans, or both. The overall human blood meal index was 43% (95% CI 31.1-55.3), while the bovine blood meal index was 6% (95% CI 1.6-13.9). The prevalence of Anopheles mosquitoes feeding on humans and cattle (mixed feeding) was 57% (95% CI 44.8-68.9). None of the Anopheles mosquitoes tested positive for Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax-210 CSPs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The human blood meal index reflects human exposure to mosquito bites. Future research could investigate whether mosquitoes, along with human behaviours and activities, prefer to bite humans indoors or outdoors.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12117803/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173162","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}