Epidemiological and entomological aspects of malaria in forest-fringed villages of Sonitpur district, Assam.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Detailed epidemiological and entomological studies were undertaken in forest-fringed villages and a Tea Estate in Sonitpur, Assam to assess the malaria situation. METHODS: Door-to-door active surveillance was carried out to collect blood samples. Thick and thin blood smears stained with Giemsa were used for malaria parasite detection. Mosquito collections were made using CDC miniature light-traps and hand catch methods from dusk-to-dawn. RESULTS: 48% SPR, 49.1 Pf% was recorded from the study villages. Children between 10 and 14 years were most sufferers. Per trap night density of mosquitoes in human dwellings was 204.3 and in cattlesheds--908.7, An. minimus accounted for 20.7% of total malaria vectors. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results showed high malaria risk in the study villages. High vector density with high parity rate, poor socio-economic conditions, lack of awareness, poor sanitation and congenial atmosphere for mosquito proliferation are aggravating the malaria situation more complex in the study area.