Tools for malaria elimination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Coleman, Michael; Alzahrani, Mohammed; Coleman, Marlize; Hemingway, Janet; Omar, Abdiasiis; Al-Shaikh, Adel; Memish, Ziad A.

doi:10.1186/1475-2875-11-s1-o56

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Despite the high Kingdom’s commitment to achieving elimination, containment and controlling malaria transmission along its southern border presents a major challenge to reaching the elimination goal [ 2 ]. As the incidence of locally acquired malaria in the southern region (Jazan and Aseer regions) steeply declined from (123.8 per 100,000 population to 41.0 per 100,000 population) in 2000 to (below 2.5 per 100,000 population) in 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given that controlling malaria transmission in the southern border is a complex, multifaceted issue, there is an urgent need to understand malaria trends, identify the subgroups population that are at the highest risk of malaria infection, and what risk factors influence malaria infection the most. While studies on the changes in epidemiological malaria characteristics during the stages of disease control and elimination stages have been conducted in Saudi Arabia, few of these studies investigated the changes in malaria epidemic characteristics from the control stage (2005–2010) [ 2 , 4 , 19 – 24 ] to the elimination stage (2011–2016) [ 21 ] in Jazan Provinces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An insight to better understanding cross border malaria in Saudi Arabia

Abdalal

Yukich

Andrinoplous

et al. 2023

Malar J

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Background Border malaria is a major obstacle for the malaria elimination in Saudi Arabia. Today, the southern border of Saudi Arabia is a region where malaria cases are resurging, and malaria control is dwindling mainly due to the humanitarian crisis and the conflict in Yemen. This study analyses the current border malaria epidemiology along the southern border of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2018. Methods All reported cases maintained by the malaria elimination centres in Aledabi and Baish, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, from 2015 to 2018 were analysed to examine the epidemiological changes over time. Pearson’s Chi-Square test of differences was utilized to assess differences between the characteristics of imported and local causes and between border cases. A logistic regression model was used to predict imported status was related to living along side of the border area. Results A total of 3210 malaria cases were reported in Baish and Aledabi malaria centres between 2015 and 2018, of which 170 were classified as local cases and 3040 were classified as imported cases. Reported malaria cases were mainly among males, within the imported cases 61.5% (1868/3039) were residents of the border areas. Conclusions Given the complexity of cross-border malaria, creating a malaria buffer zone that covers a certain margin from both sides of the border would allow for a joint force, cross-border malaria elimination programme. To initiate a malaria elimination activity and cases reported as belonging to this zone, rather than being pushed from one country to the other, would allow malaria elimination staff to work collaboratively with local borderland residents and other stakeholders to come up with innovative solutions to combat malaria and reach malaria-free borders.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An insight to better understanding cross border malaria in Saudi Arabia

Abdalal

Yukich

Andrinoplous

et al. 2023

Malar J

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“…Malaria continues to be an overwhelming global health problem, with an estimated 247 million infections each year and around 619 000 deaths in 2021. Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced the malaria incidence rate below 5/1000 per year, and the country successfully entered the elimination phase in 2007 [ 1 , 2 ]. The country is considered malaria-free with the exception of Aseer and Jazan region in the South, where transmission is confined to small foci within the border area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livelihood activities, human mobility, and risk of malaria infection in elimination settings: a case–control study

Abdalal

Yukich²,

Andrinopoulos³

et al. 2023

Malar J

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Background Livelihood activities and human movements participate in the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases and influence malaria risk in elimination settings. In Saudi Arabia, where malaria transmission intensity varies geographically, it is vital to understand the components driving transmission within specific areas. In addition, shared social, behavioural, and occupational characteristics within communities may provoke the risk of malaria infection. This study aims to understand the relationship between human mobility, livelihood activities, and the risk of malaria infection in the border region of Jazan to facilitate further strategic malaria interventions. In addition, the study will complement and reinforce the existing efforts to eliminate malaria on the Saudi and Yemen border by providing a deeper understanding of human movement and livelihood activities. Methods An unmatched case–control study was conducted. A total of 261 participants were recruited for the study, including 81 cases of confirmed malaria through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy and 180 controls in the Baish Governorate in Jazan Provinces, Saudi Arabia. Individuals who received malaria tests were interviewed regarding their livelihood activities and recent movement (travel history). A questionnaire was administered, and the data was captured electronically. STATA software version 16 was used to analyse the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine if engaging in agricultural activities such as farming and animal husbandry, recent travel history outside of the home village within the last 30 days and participating in spiritual gatherings were related to malaria infection status. Results A logistical regression model was used to investigate components associated with malaria infection. After adjusting several confounding factors, individuals who reported travelling away from their home village in the last 30 days OR 11.5 (95% CI 4.43–29.9), and those who attended a seasonal night spiritual gathering OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.10–8.42), involved in animal husbandry OR 2.52 (95% CI 1.10–5.82), and identified as male OR 4.57 (95% CI 1.43–14.7), were more likely to test positive for malaria infection. Conclusion Human movement and livelihood activities, especially at nighttime, should be considered malaria risk factors in malaria elimination settings, mainly when the targeted area is limited to a confined borderland area.

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“…The epidemiological aspects of Malaria vary from one region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to another and even within areas of the same region. Epidemiological aspects vary from one year to another, and are affected by the control measures taken against Malaria during that time period [4,5]. The risk of acquisition of malaria in Saudi Arabia is limited to the Southwestern part of the country, with the highest number of cases reported from Jizan and Asir regions [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of OptiMAL-IT? Test for the Detection of Plasmodium falciparum in South-West Saudi Arabia

Alkhiary¹

2015

J Blood Disord Transfus

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Background: OptiMAL-IT® test is a rapid malarial diagnostic test designed to detect at least one protein specific to Plasmodium LDH (pLDH). The diagnostic performance of OptiMAL-IT® was evaluated and compared with the microscopic examinations of thick and thin blood smears, taken as gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria infection. Methods: A four-year retrospective analysis was done for 238 consecutive suspected patients and 475 apparently healthy blood donors, who were tested for malaria at Rijal Almaa Central Hospital, Asir region, Saudi Arabia between January 2011 and January 2015. Results: Of the 713 subjects, 74 (10.38%) were confirmed with Plasmodium falciparum infections by crosschecking. All 74 patients (61 patients; 82.4%, and 13 blood donor; 17.6%) were accurately diagnosed with malaria by routine microscopy. 28.15% (67/238) of patients and 3.37% (16/475) of blood donors were positive for malaria by OptiMAL-IT test. OptiMAL-IT® had the following performance indicators for detection of P. falciparum among patients, and blood donors enrolled: Sensitivity-98.36% [95% CI (90.02-99.91)], 100% [95% CI (71.66-100)]; Specificity-96.02% [95% CI (91.65-98.25)], 99.35% [95% CI (97.96-99.83)]; Predictive values for positive tests-89.55% [95% CI (79.06-95.34)], 81.25% [95% CI(53.69-95.03%)]; Predictive values for negative tests-99.41% [95% CI (96.27-99.97)], 100% [95% CI (98.97-100)]; Likelihood ratio for positive tests-24.7, 155; Likelihood ratio for negative tests-0.017, 0.00. Conclusions: The diagnostic performance of OptiMAL-IT malaria test seems to be satisfactory, particularly as a good negative test. OptiMAL-IT can assist in the diagnosis of malaria cases and can be considered for quick screening of blood donor in potentially-endemic settings to prevent transfusion transmitted malaria.

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Tools for malaria elimination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Cited by 5 publications

References 3 publications

An insight to better understanding cross border malaria in Saudi Arabia

An insight to better understanding cross border malaria in Saudi Arabia

Livelihood activities, human mobility, and risk of malaria infection in elimination settings: a case–control study

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of OptiMAL-IT? Test for the Detection of Plasmodium falciparum in South-West Saudi Arabia

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