Malaria Pro

Volume and Issue Information

  • Title: Global Malaria Burden: Socialomics Implications

  • Author: Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi

  • Institutions:

    • Department of Environmental Health Sciences & Technology, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    • Research and Development Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

  • Corresponding Author Contact:

    • Tel: +91-9600-918-524 & +251-913-547-847

    • Fax: +251-471-111-450

    • E-mail: k_karunamoorthi@yahoo.com

  • Date of Receipt: February 16, 2012

  • Date of Acceptance: February 17, 2012

  • Date of Publication: February 28, 2012

  • Citation:

    • Karunamoorthi K (2012) Global Malaria Burden: Socialomics Implications. J Socialomics 1:e108. doi:10.4172/jsc.1000e108

  • Copyright:

    • © 2012 Karunamoorthi K. Open-access article under Creative Commons Attribution License.

Malaria: A Global Burden

  • Overview:

    • Arthropod-borne diseases are significant causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

    • Malaria is a leading health threat worldwide and is recognized as one of the three major communicable diseases.

  • WHO Malaria Report 2011 Findings:

    • In 2010, 3.3 billion individuals were at risk for malaria.

    • 216 million malaria episodes were recorded, with approximately 81% (or 174 million cases) occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

    • Estimated 655,000 deaths were attributed to malaria, with 91% occurring in Africa.

Malaria in Pregnancy

  • Impact on Maternal and Child Health:

    • Malaria poses severe health risks to mothers and infants due to pregnancy-induced immunity reduction.

    • Despite interventions, malaria continues to be a leading cause of maternal and child mortality and morbidity.

  • Specific Outcomes:

    • Causes stillbirths, low birth weight, and early infant mortality.

    • A child in Africa dies from malaria every 45 seconds.

Social and Economic Burden

  • Malaria as a Disease of Poverty:

    • Recognized as both a disease of poverty and a contributor to poverty.

  • Social Burden:

    • Not universally quantifiable but linked to morbidity and mortality rates.

  • Economic Impact:

    • Malaria contributes to productivity loss both short-term (absenteeism) and long-term (economic growth reduction).

    • Absenteeism coincides with peak agricultural seasons affecting productivity and leading to poverty.

    • Average economic growth reduction is estimated at 1.3% annually in malaria-affected regions, costing the African continent approximately $12 billion USD annually in GDP.

Regional Focus: Malaria and Africa

  • Current Burden:

    • Highest burden in continental Africa with high transmission areas lacking control interventions and monitoring infrastructure.

  • Trends:

    • Malaria burden has decreased in some regions but not uniformly.

    • Questions arise regarding non-intervention related factors contributing to transmission reductions.

Conventional Major Interventions

  • Vector Control Importance:

    • Historical emphasis on vector control remains crucial due to the lack of vaccines and drug resistance issues.

  • Current Strategies:

    • Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) significantly reduce malaria burden and protect communities.

    • Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) targets mosquitoes resting on treated surfaces, though challenges exist due to insecticide resistance and environmental concerns.

    • Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) effectively lower infectious risks but face early signs of resistance in certain regions.

Innovative Strategies: A Source of Optimism

  • Microbial Applications:

    • Mosquito microbiota modulation can impede vector immunity and parasite development.

    • Experimental transgenic approaches involve manipulation of bacteria and fungi in mosquitoes.

  • Potential of Ivermectin:

    • Systemic endectocides like Ivermectin can target Anopheles spp. through blood meals, with promising lab and field research outcomes.

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Existing Challenges:

    • Malaria interventions face significant hurdles, including insecticide resistance and treatment over-reliance on artemisinin monotherapies.

  • Need for Complementary Measures:

    • Supplementary repellents needed for further protection against malaria, particularly concerning Anopheles evening biting.

  • Urgent Research Needs:

    • Development of new insecticide classes and plant-based repellents is critical to support existing strategies.

Conclusion

  • Summary Statement:

    • Malaria remains a pervasive disease of poverty with significant health and socio-economic implications.

    • The decrease in malaria burden due to low-cost interventions calls for further research into complex factors surrounding malaria dynamics.

  • Advocacy for Communication:

    • Utilizing social media and mobile technologies can enhance public health communication and awareness.

    • Text messaging campaigns could encourage protective behaviors, particularly ITN usage, in malaria-prone areas.

  • Funding Importance:

    • Increased funding for poverty alleviation and malaria control strategies is essential to mitigate future burdens.

Acknowledgements

  • Gratitude expressed to:

    • Mrs. Melita Prakash for editing assistance.

    • Colleagues from the Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health & Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Ethiopia.

References

  1. Larvicidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus and Croton macrostachyus against Anopheles arabiensis.

  2. Malaria research and burden of disease analysis.