Salud Publica de Mexico
Volume 54, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 523-529

Malaria's seroepidemiology in a group of migrants in transit (Chiapas, 2008) [Seroepidemiología del paludismo en un grupo de migrantes en tránsito (Chiapas, 2008)] (Article) (Open Access)

Betanzos-Reyes A.F. , González-Cerón L.* , Rodríguez M.H. , Torres-Monzón J.A.
  • a Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • b Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 4a. Av. Nte. Esq. 19 Calle Pte., 30700 Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
  • c Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • d Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 4a. Av. Nte. Esq. 19 Calle Pte., 30700 Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To know the prevalence of malaria and the factors associated with the infection in migrants in the southern border of Mexico, during 2008. Materials and methods. In 706 migrants, active malaria infection was investigated using a rapid diagnostic test and PCR and past infection using serology. A questionnaire was applied to investigate the conditions associated to infection. Results. 85.6% originated from Central America, none presented an active infection, although 4.2% were seropositive, most of these came from the countries with the highest malaria incidence in the region. Seropositivity was associated with the number of previous malaria episodes (0R= 1.44; IC95% 1.04-2.00), years living in their community of origin (0R= 1.03; IC95% 1.00-1.07), and knowledge and self-medication with anti-malaria drugs (OR=3.38; IC95% 1.48-7.67). Conclusions. The previous exposure of migrants and the difficulties for their detection indicate the need of new strategies for the epidemiological surveillance for these populations.

Author Keywords

Migrants Chiapas, Mexico Southern Mexican border Serology Malaria Epidemiology

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84867776688&doi=10.1590%2fS0036-36342012000500009&partnerID=40&md5=075a02124bbd9b1087e505263a739395
DOI: 10.1590/S0036-36342012000500009
ISSN: 00363634
Cited by: 3
Original Language: Spanish