Evaluation of malaria clinics in Maesot, Thailand: use of serology to assess coverage.
The clinics of the anti-malaria programme in Thailand serve an increasingly important role in the strategy for control of malaria within a context of multi-drug resistant falciparum malaria. Figures from clinics in Maesot District show a predominance of young males among positive cases treated (56% of all cases). In contrast, sero-epidemiological findings from a random sample of over 500 villagers in the area show similar exposure rates among males and females of equal age. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females 0-15 and 16-30 years old in percentages positive by indirect fluorescent antibody tests or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), mean level of ELISA positivity, or rate of sero-conversion. Differences in level of positivity did occur between males and females over 30. An index constructed from the serological findings indicated under-representation of children and women of all ages in clinics but suggested that coverage of children could be improved by the provision of a community-based, fixed-schedule mobile clinic.
Ettling
M B
MB
Malaria Division, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thimasarn
K
K
Krachaiklin
S
S
Bualombai
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000276:immunology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan