Factors Associated with Malaria Infection In Tha TaKiap District, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

Abstract

Currently, malaria is still a global public health problem including Thailand. Although all malaria elimination programs have been carried out by the year 2026, there are still ongoing malaria cases in Chachoengsao. This analytical case-control study aimed to identify the factors which associated with malaria infection in Tha TaKiap district, Chachoengsao province, Thailand. The information of target population during January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019 got from the online malaria database of Vector Borne Disease Control Centre 6.1 Sriracha. The data were collected by questionnaire using interviewing. There were 102 people with malaria infected (case group) and 102 people without malaria (control group). Multivariate logistic regression was analyzed to determine the relationship with malaria infection and presented by OR_adj with 95% confidence interval.

The results showed that factors significant associated with malaria were males (OR_adj=3.37, 95% CI=1.54-9.02), people younger than or equal to 45 years old (OR_adj= 3.03, 95% CI=1.30-7.07), primary education level or lower (OR^adj=4.25, 95% CI=1.69-10.67), people did not use any Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) (OR_adj=9.28, 95% CI= 3.69-23.30), apply mosquito repellents sometimes (less than 5 days a week) or do not apply at all (OR_adj=3.06, 95% CI=1.33-7.03), wearing fully concealed clothes sometimes (less than 5 days a week) or not practicing at all (OR_adj=3.36, 95% CI= 1.39-8.11), and people did not spray any residual chemical (OR_adj=11.53, 95% CI= 4.83-27.54).

Suggestion, encourage people living in risk areas to have appropriate self-protection, including Mosquito repellent, using chemical nets and wearing clothes that cover the body completely. Promote people to realize the importance of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) and spraying of residual chemicals. and make the cooperation for proactive case detection in the risk area.