Malaria Journal
Volume 10, 2011

Epidemiology of imported malaria among children and young adults in Barcelona (1990-2008) (Article) (Open Access)

Garcia-Villarrubia M. , Millet J.-P.* , De Olalla P.G. , Gascán J. , Fumadá V. , Gómez I Prat J. , Treviño B. , Pinazo M.-J. , Cabezos J. , Muñoz J. , Zarzuela F. , Caylà J.A.
  • a Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pza Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
  • b Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pza Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Spain
  • c Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pza Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
  • d Hospital Clínic, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
  • e Sant Joan de Deu Paediatrics Hospital, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
  • f Tropical Medicine and International Health Unit, Primary Health Care Drassanes Center, Avda Drassanes 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
  • g Tropical Medicine and International Health Unit, Primary Health Care Drassanes Center, Avda Drassanes 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
  • h Tropical Medicine and International Health Unit, Primary Health Care Drassanes Center, Avda Drassanes 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
  • i Tropical Medicine and International Health Unit, Primary Health Care Drassanes Center, Avda Drassanes 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
  • j Hospital Clínic, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
  • k Tropical Medicine and International Health Unit, Primary Health Care Drassanes Center, Avda Drassanes 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
  • l Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pza Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Background: Increasing international travel and migration is producing changes in trends in infectious diseases, especially in children from many European cities. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and determine the trends of imported malaria in patients under 20 years old in the city of Barcelona, Spain, during an 18-year period. Methods. The study included malaria cases that were laboratory confirmed and reported to the malaria register at the Public Health Agency of Barcelona from 1990 to 2008, residing in Barcelona and less than 20 years old. Patients were classified as natives (born in Spain) or immigrants. Differences in the distribution of demographic, clinical characteristics, and incidence per 100,000 person-year evolution were analysed. Natives and immigrants were compared by logistic regression by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and Chi-square for a linear trend (p < 0.05). Results: Of the total 174 cases, 143 (82.1%) were immigrants, 100 (57.5%) were female, 121 (69.5%) Plasmodium falciparum, and 108 (62.1%) were visiting friends and relatives (VFR) as the reason for travel. Among the immigrants, 99 (67.8%) were from Equatorial Guinea. Immigrant cases more frequently travelled to Africa than natives (p = 0.02). The factors associated with imported malaria among immigrant residents was travelling for VFR (OR: 6.2 CI 1.9-20.2) and age 15-19 (OR: 3.7 CI 1-13.3). The incidence increased from 1990 to 1999 (p < 0.001) and decreased from 2000 to 2008 (p = 0.01), although the global linear trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). The fatality rate was 0.5%. Conclusions: The majority of cases of malaria in population less than 20 years in Barcelona were immigrants, travelling to Africa for VFR and Plasmodium falciparum was most frequently detected. The trend analysis of the entire study period did not show a statistically significant decline. It is recommended to be aware of malaria, especially among children of immigrants who travel to their parent's home country for VFR. Better access to pre travel advice should be provided. © 2011 Garcia-Villarrubia et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Plasmodium ovale immigrant human trend study risk assessment travel Malaria morbidity Young Adult school child Humans Adolescent male disease registry Spain preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool Incidence Article fatality Plasmodium vivax major clinical study adult migration Malaria, Falciparum Plasmodium malariae malaria falciparum Plasmodium falciparum Emigration and Immigration native species Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-82055181556&doi=10.1186%2f1475-2875-10-347&partnerID=40&md5=7888c953c17c2fa6b65996d08ca4591c
DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-347
ISSN: 14752875
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English