Title
The epidemiology of malaria in an epidemic area of the Peruvian Amazon
Date Issued
01 January 2000
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Carrion Torres R.S.
Cava Goicochea C.G.
Andersen E.M.
Aramburú Guarda J.S.
Hightower A.W.
Magill A.J.
U.S. Nav. Med. Res. Ctr. Detachment
Dir. Regional de Salud de Loreto
Publisher(s)
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
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/μl for P. falciparum infections and 2,282 parasites/μl 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.
Start page
247
End page
256
Volume
62
Issue
2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Epidemiología Medicina tropical
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-0034098193
PubMed ID
Source
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN of the container
00029637
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus