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Modern housing associated with decreased malaria risk
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Modern housing could be associated with a reduction in malaria infection risk by as much as 50% in some regions, according to a study published in Malaria Journal.
“Despite considerable advances in malaria control since 2000, with a 30% fall in incidence in all age groups worldwide, the disease remains a major global public health problem with an estimated 198 million cases in 2013,” Lucy S. Tusting, MSc, research degree student in the department of disease control at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “Reductions have been achieved mainly through extensive long-lasting insecticide-treated net distribution and indoor residual spraying campaigns. However, the future success of these interventions may be undermined by the spread of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.”
In a systematic review and meta-analysis, the researchers reviewed 90 studies in Africa, Asia and South America comparing the prevalence of malaria in traditional (mud, stone, bamboo or wood walls; thatched, mud or wood roofs; earth or wood floors) and modern homes (closed eaves, ceilings, screened doors and windows).
Despite low quality of evidence, they found that residents of modern homes were 47% less likely to be infected with malaria (adjusted OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.67), and up to 65% less likely to have clinical malaria (aOR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.2-0.62).
“Our study suggests housing could be an important tool in tackling malaria,” Tusting said in a press release. “This is a welcome finding at a time when we are facing increasing resistance to our most effective insecticides and drugs. We now need to pinpoint which housing features can reduce mosquito entry in different settings, to incorporate these into local housing designs and to assess the impact on malaria in large-scale field trials.” – by David Jwanier
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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