High Mobility and Low Use of Malaria Preventive Measures Among the Jarai Male Youth Along the Cambodia-Vietnam Border.
Malaria control along the Vietnam-Cambodia border presents a challenge for both countries' malaria elimination targets as the region is forested, inhabited by ethnic minority populations, and potentially characterized by early and outdoor malaria transmission. A mixed methods study assessed the vulnerability to malaria among the Jarai population living on both sides of the border in the provinces of Ratanakiri (Cambodia) and Gia Lai (Vietnam). A qualitative study generated preliminary hypotheses that were quantified in two surveys, one targeting youth (N = 498) and the other household leaders (N = 449). Jarai male youth, especially in Cambodia, had lower uptake of preventive measures (57.4%) and more often stayed overnight in the deep forest (35.8%) compared with the female youth and the adult population. Among male youth, a high-risk subgroup was identified that regularly slept at friends' homes or outdoors, who had fewer bed nets (32.5%) that were torn more often (77.8%). The vulnerability of Jarai youth to malaria could be attributed to the transitional character of youth itself, implying less fixed sleeping arrangements in nonpermanent spaces or non-bed sites. Additional tools such as long-lasting hammock nets could be suitable as they are in line with current practices.
Charlotte
C
Gryseels
Koen
K
Peeters Grietens
Susan
S
Dierickx
Xa Nguyen
XN
Xuan
Sambunny
S
Uk
Melanie
M
Bannister-Tyrrell
Suzan
S
Trienekens
Joan Muela
JM
Ribera
Susanna
S
Hausmann-Muela
René
R
Gerrets
Umberto
U
D'Alessandro
Tho
T
Sochantha
Marc
M
Coosemans
Annette
A
Erhart
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D057147:Mosquito Nets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult