1. High Mobility and Low Use of Malaria Preventive Measures Among the Jarai Male Youth Along the Cambodia-Vietnam Border.
- Author
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Gryseels C, Peeters Grietens K, Dierickx S, Xuan XN, Uk S, Bannister-Tyrrell M, Trienekens S, Ribera JM, Hausmann-Muela S, Gerrets R, D'Alessandro U, Sochantha T, Coosemans M, and Erhart A
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Cambodia epidemiology, Child, Female, Humans, Malaria epidemiology, Malaria, Falciparum epidemiology, Malaria, Falciparum prevention & control, Male, Mosquito Nets statistics & numerical data, Vietnam epidemiology, Young Adult, Emigration and Immigration statistics & numerical data, Malaria prevention & control
- Abstract
Malaria control along the Vietnam-Cambodia border presents a challenge for both countries' malaria elimination targets as the region is forested, inhabited by ethnic minority populations, and potentially characterized by early and outdoor malaria transmission. A mixed methods study assessed the vulnerability to malaria among the Jarai population living on both sides of the border in the provinces of Ratanakiri (Cambodia) and Gia Lai (Vietnam). A qualitative study generated preliminary hypotheses that were quantified in two surveys, one targeting youth (N = 498) and the other household leaders (N = 449). Jarai male youth, especially in Cambodia, had lower uptake of preventive measures (57.4%) and more often stayed overnight in the deep forest (35.8%) compared with the female youth and the adult population. Among male youth, a high-risk subgroup was identified that regularly slept at friends' homes or outdoors, who had fewer bed nets (32.5%) that were torn more often (77.8%). The vulnerability of Jarai youth to malaria could be attributed to the transitional character of youth itself, implying less fixed sleeping arrangements in nonpermanent spaces or non-bed sites. Additional tools such as long-lasting hammock nets could be suitable as they are in line with current practices., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)
- Published
- 2015
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