What considerations are important to explore to determine if the increase in reported numbers represents a true increase in the incidence of Malaria?
Seasonal blood surveys over a period of time can also be used to explore true increase in Malaria incidences. The review on the clinical findings provides the nature of malaria in relation to its symptoms. Obtaining sufficient specimens from the people for laboratory verification is an essential decision towards exploring true increase in malaria incidences. Conversation with patients also helps in establishing answers on the cause, source and the nature of spread of malaria within specific regions. Change in the occurrence of malaria can also be detected through the definition of a baseline distribution and climatic change. The baseline can be determined through mapping at geographical scales both at village and continental levels. The disease baselines are defined based on specified altitude limits (Molineaux, 1988).
Descriptive epidemiologic factors (time/place/person) considered in order to assess the differences in occurrence
Analysis by person provides different categories that help in understanding the people who are susceptible to malaria infection. Inherent characteristics of people can well define how susceptible they are to the disease. One of the inherent characteristics considered is age. It is realised that children are more inclined to malaria infection than adults due to their ability to protect themselves. Age determines the level of exposure and the incubation period of malaria within a person. There are also acquired characteristics which makes some people immune to the disease, the choice of activities and economic status are some of the categories that determine the degree of risk towards malaria (Molineaux, 1988).
Place is an important factor to consider since it determines how fast Malaria can spread. It gives a clue on the factors that increase the risk of malaria in a particular region; this can either be the people or the environment or combination of both factors. Crowded areas like urban centres, provides more opportunities for the spread of the disease since the infected have close contact with others (Connor et al, 1998).
Descriptive epidemiologic factors (time/place/person) to be considered in order to assess the differences in occurrence over time
Climatic changes are very important considerations in the shift on epidemiology. Temperature variation over a specific period of time affects the rate of transmission of malaria as a disease. The variations in daytime and night time temperatures, mean monthly rainfall and changes in relative humidity are some of the climatic aspects that affect occurrence of malaria incidences. Decrease in temperatures favour rapid increase in malaria incidences since it provides conducive environment for breeding (Connor et al, 1998).
The factors that could be considered in order to assess the difference in occurrence are presence of still water points that provides space for breeding mosquitoes. The occurrence of rainfall and presence of thick bushes and forests also provide rich breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
How these factors contribute to understanding of the increase in occurrence of Malaria
These factors have an impact on the increase and distribution of vector-borne diseases. They help in prediction of potential sites and times when malaria is likely to be experienced. These factors contribute to my understanding of the occurrence of the condition in that there is capability of monitoring range of vector species, seasonal patterns and disease distribution. The description of the condition by place helps in gaining insight into the geographical extent to which Malaria as a disease is felt. The process also helps in gaining useful information on where the infection is prevalent; these shows the places where malaria is acquired by patients hence revealing places where risk of acquiring malaria is high.
Analysis of the factors also gives an idea of the place where the disease causing agent lives and thrives, the means of transmission as well as spread. Associating the occurrence of Malaria by place gives evidence of the factors that cause risk of the disease and their presence on either persons or the environment; this provides sufficient data that enables appropriate control and prevention measures to be undertaken (U.S.A. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005).
References
Connor, S., Thomson, M., Flasse, P., & Perryman, A., (1998). Environmental Information Systems in malaria risk mapping and epidemic forecasting. DisastersJournal, 22(1):39-56.
Molineaux, L. (1988). The epidemiology of human malaria as an explanation of its Distribution, including some implications for its control. (ed.) pp. 913 – 998. New York: Churchill Livingstone.
U.S.A. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). Principles of Epidemiology; an Introduction to applied epidemiology and biostatistics. Atlanta Georgia.