Malaria control: constraints and opportunities

Abstract

SummaryThe malaria eradication campaign of the 1950s and 1960s achieved elimination of malaria from the industrialized world and drastic reduction of malaria elsewhere, especially Asia. In Africa, eradication was hardly attempted. For various reasons, results could not be maintained. Eradication had to be given up, control became the policy. Since 1992 malaria control is based on four principles: early diagnosis and treatment; selective and sustainable preventive measures, including vector control; detection, containment and prevention of epidemics, and building up of local capacity. Several constraints with the presently available tools are discussed. Major problems are drug resistance and poor performance of the health sector. International awareness of the problem and international co-operation, the financial resources now available and scientific advances offer opportunities for a concerted effort to reduce the burden of malaria. Operational research, field research and implementation and improvement of the peripheral health service will be of paramount importance.

Compliance, Safety, and Effectiveness of Fixed-Dose Artesunate-Amodiaquine for Presumptive Treatment of Non-Severe Malaria in the Context of Home Management of Malaria in Madagascar

“…There are several reasons for this, including a lack of access to health facilities, inadequacy of the health-care infrastructure and the poor performance of health staff. [2][3][4][5] This problem is particularly marked in remote, rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, such as Madagascar.…”

A review of antimalarial plants used in traditional medicine in communities in Portuguese-Speaking countries: Brazil, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola

“…It is prevalent in approximately 100 countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, where approximately 2.4 million people are at risk (Kager 2002). According to the World Malaria Report (WHO 2009a), there are approximately 250 million malaria cases and approximately one million people die from malaria each year.…”

Malária: Dos velhos fármacos aos novos alvos moleculares

“…Os países mais comprometidos são Índia, Brasil (cerca de 300 mil casos/ano), Afeganistão e outros países asiáticos, incluindo a China. Além disso, especula-se que metade dos casos de mortalidade entre a população indígena no Brasil deve-se à malária causada por P. falciparum (KAGER, 2002). De acordo com a OMS, a malária ocasiona cerca de 700 mil mortes a cada ano (AGUIAR et al, 2012), no qual 89% estão na região da África; 4% no sudeste asiático e o restante na parte leste do mediterrâneo e nos países amazônicos da América do Sul (STEKETEE;CAMPBELL, 2010).…”