Livelihood activities, human mobility, and risk of malaria infection in elimination settings: a case–control study

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Shaymaa A. Abdalal, Joshua Yukich, Katherine Andrinopoulos, Maimonah Alghanmi, Majed H. Wakid, Ayat Zawawi, Steve Harakeh, Sarah A. Altwaim, Hattan Gattan, Fadi Baakdah, Mahmoud A. Gaddoury, Hatoon A. Niyazi, Jawahir A. Mokhtar, Mohammed H. Alruhaili, Isra Alsaady, Rowa Alhabbab, Mohamed Alfaleh, Anwar M. Hashem, Ziab Zakey Alahmadey, Joseph Keating
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2023
• Subjects: Malaria; Border malaria; Saudi Arabia; Human movements; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04470-0; https://doaj.org/article/f9cd76efa83d4eb39a7fbba89dd681f3

Abstract Background Livelihood activities and human movements participate in the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases and influence malaria risk in elimination settings. In Saudi Arabia, where malaria transmission intensity varies geographically, it is vital to understand the components driving transmission within specific areas. In addition, shared social, behavioural, and occupational characteristics within communities may provoke the risk of malaria infection. This study aims to understand the relationship between human mobility, livelihood activities, and the risk of malaria infection in the border region of Jazan to facilitate further strategic malaria interventions. In addition, the study will complement and reinforce the existing efforts to eliminate malaria on the Saudi and Yemen border by providing a deeper understanding of human movement and livelihood activities. Methods An unmatched case–control study was conducted. A total of 261 participants were recruited for the study, including 81 cases of confirmed malaria through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy and 180 controls in the Baish Governorate in Jazan Provinces, Saudi Arabia. Individuals who received malaria tests were interviewed regarding their livelihood activities and recent movement (travel history). A questionnaire was administered, and the data was captured electronically. STATA software version 16 was used to analyse the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine if engaging in agricultural activities such as farming and animal husbandry, recent travel history outside of the home village within the last 30 days and participating in spiritual gatherings were related to malaria infection status. Results A logistical regression model was used to investigate components associated with malaria infection. After adjusting several confounding factors, individuals who reported travelling away from their home village in the last 30 days OR 11.5 (95% CI 4.43–29.9), and those who attended a seasonal night ...