Last Updated: 19/12/2024
Combatting malaria in a remote forest area of Vietnam using spatial decision support system approaches
Objectives
The main goal of this study was to develop and examine the effectiveness of customized spatial decision support system (SDSS) based approaches to address operational challenges for combatting malaria in a priority forest area of Vietnam.
The customized SDSS included surveillance tools to:
- automatically geo-locate passively reported malaria cases to the household level and guide targeted response interventions;
- support the targeting and investigation of suspected forest transmission sites;
- identify associated population networks and interaction between forest-goers and their communities, i.e. mobile and high-risk populations.
National Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) Vietnam, Vietnam
As transmission continues to decline in Vietnam, the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) is directing efforts to implement national objectives in priority, remote and hard-to-reach areas of persistent ongoing transmission, including forested and mountainous areas of central and south-central Vietnam. In support of Vietnam’s pursuit of malaria elimination, SDSS based approaches were identified as potential supplementary surveillance-response tools to assist Vietnam meeting key objectives in these operationally challenging settings including: providing malaria personnel with a capacity to promptly report, map and track individual malaria infections; identify at risk-areas to target and implement associated responses; and incorporate household level census data to support the sufficient resourcing and optimal delivery of interventions.
A customized SDSS was developed for three communes in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Geographical reconnaissance was conducted to map and enumerate all households in the study site. During 2015 and 2016, detected malaria cases were reported to the SDSS and georeferenced to household residence. Individual case data were analysed in the SDSS to guide targeted response. Case investigation data, including suspected forest and remote area transmission locations, were also integrated into the SDSS. Surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted to assess utility and user acceptability.
Impact of Interventions
Information Systems
Residual Transmission
Surveillance
Vulnerable Populations
Jan 2014 — Dec 2016
Related Resources
