[Characterization of malaria mortality in Valle del Cauca, 2005-2006].
BACKGROUND
Valle del Cauca is one of the states in Colombia that reports a high number of deaths due to malaria. Understanding the basis of malarial deaths is useful for assessing the efficacy of the health system and to identify areas where improvements are necessary to decrease malaria mortality.


OBJECTIVE
Potential determinants of mortality in malaria cases are characterized in a demographic study centered in Valle del Cauca.


METHODS
A descriptive analysis was directed to 25 cases of malaria death occurring in Valle del Cauca during 2005 and 2006.


RESULTS
The mean age was 31.3 years (range, 2 to 71 yr), 11 were women (1 pregnant), 11 were from the malaria-endemic port of Buenaventura, and 5 from other Pacific coastal states. After entering the health system facility, the standard malaria diagnostic, the thick smear, was not ordered for 7 cases at any time during the treatment period. In cases where a thick smear was taken at first contact, 11 had a positive and 5 had a negative initial report. Cerebral malaria (7/18 cases) and renal failure (6/18 cases) were the most frequent complications. During hospitalization, 13/18 cases developed other complications, mainly acute lung edema (8/18 cases) and shock (5/18 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
Failures in primary health care of patients with malaria were recognized. This information has been used to implement actions aimed at improving initial care of malaria subjects in the health services of Valle del Cauca. The study recommends that other states in Colombia increase their efforts to decrease malaria mortality.
Ernández
Julián Alfredo
JA
Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
Osorio
Lyda
L
Murillo
Olga
O
Escobar
Humberto
H
Bustamante
Patricia
P
Agudelo
Henry
H
Martínez
Luz Patricia
LP
Olaya
Beatriz
B
Castro
Gloria
G
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D018563:Disease Notification; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000401:mortality; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000401:mortality / Q000469:parasitology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055815:Young Adult
D000962:Antimalarials