title: The epidemiology of malaria in an epidemic area of the Peruvian Amazon.
abstract: A longitudinal study of malariometric indicators and their association with potential risk factors was conducted during August 1997-July 1998 at Padre Cocha, a village of 1,400 residents in the Peruvian Amazon. The incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infections during the study year was 166/1,000 persons; that of P. vivax was 826/1,000 persons. The mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 2 days; presenting geometric mean parasite densities were 3,976 parasites/microl for P. falciparum infections and 2,282 parasites/microl for P. vivax. There were no malaria-associated deaths. Consistent with the epidemic nature of malaria in the area, the incidence of both parasite species increased with age and there were no age-specific differences in mean parasite densities. No specific occupational risks for malaria were identified. Activities significantly associated with malaria risk reflected local vector behavior and included strolling outdoors after 6:00 PM and arising before 6:00 AM for adults, and attending evening church services for children.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roper
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Goicochea
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Guarda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calampa
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Hightower
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Magill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000254:growth & development; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials