Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000-2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination.

Prevalence of malaria parasitemia and accuracy of microscopic diagnosis in Haiti, October 1995 / Prevalencia de parasitemia por malaria y precisión del diagnóstico microscópico en Haití, octubre de 1995

In October 1995 the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti surveyed 42 health facilities for the prevalence and distribution of malaria infection. They examined 1.083 peripheral blood smears from patients with suspected malaria; the overall slide positivity rate was 4.0 por cent (range, 0.0 por cent to 14.3 por cent). The rate was lowest among 1-to 4-year-old children (1.6 por cent) and highest among persons aged 15 and older (5.5 por cent). Clinical and microscopic diagnoses of malaria were unreliable; the overall sensitivity of microscopic diagnosis was 83.6 por cent, specificity was 88.6 por cent, and the predictive value of a positive slide was 22.2 por cent. Microscopic diagnoses need to be improved, and adequate surveillance must be reestablished to identify areas where transmission is most intense. The generally low level of malaria is encouraging and suggests that intensified control efforts targeted to the areas of highest prevalence could furhter diminish the effect of malaria in Haiti

En octubre de 1995 el Ministerio de Salud Pública y Población de Haití inspeccionó 42 establecimientos de salud para determinar la prevalencia y distribución de la infección por malaria. Se examinaron 1 803 frotis de sangre periférica obtenidos de pacientes con sospecha de tener esa enfermedad; la tasa general de positividad de los frotis fue de 4,0% (con un recorrido de 0,0 a 14,3%). La tasa más baja (1,6%) se observó en el grupo de niños de 1 a 4 años y la más alta en personas de 15 años de edad o mayores (5,5%). Los diagnósticos clínico y microscópico de la malaria fueron poco confiables; la sensibilidad general del diagnóstico microscópico fue de 83,6% y su especificidad de 88,6%, y el valor predictivo de un frotis positivo fue de 22,2%. Es preciso mejorar los diagnósticos microscópicos y reestablecer una vigilancia adecuada a fin de identificar las zonas donde la transmisión es más intensa. La frecuencia relativamente baja de la malaria es un dato alentador y sugiere que el refuerzo de las iniciativas de control dirigidas a las zonas de mayor prevalencia podría mitigar aun más el efecto de la malaria en Haití

Prevalence of malaria parasitemia and accuracy of microscopic diagnosis in Haiti October 1995

In October 1995 the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti surveyed 42 health facilities for the prevalence and distribution of malaria infection. They examined 1,803 peripheral blood smears from patients with suspected malaria; the overall slide positivity rate was 4.0 percent (range, 0.0 percent to 14.3 percent). The rate was lowest among 1-to 4-year-old children (1.6 percent) and highest among persons aged 15 and older (5.5 percent). Clinical and microscopic diagnoses of malaria were unreliable; the overall sensitivity of microscopic diagnosis was 83.6 percent, specificity was 88.6 percent, and the predictive value of a positive slide was 22.2 percent. Microscopic diagnoses need to be improved, and edequate surveillance must be reestablished to identify areas where transmission is most intense. The generally low level of malaria is encouraging and suggests that intensified control efforts (AU)

Prevalence of malaria parasitemia and accuracy of microscopic diagnosis in Haiti, October 1995

In October 1995 the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Haiti surveyed 42 health facilities for the prevalence and distribution of malaria infection. They examined 1.083 peripheral blood smears from patients with suspected malaria; the overall slide positivity rate was 4.0 por cent (range, 0.0 por cent to 14.3 por cent). The rate was lowest among 1-to 4-year-old children (1.6 por cent) and highest among persons aged 15 and older (5.5 por cent). Clinical and microscopic diagnoses of malaria were unreliable; the overall sensitivity of microscopic diagnosis was 83.6 por cent, specificity was 88.6 por cent, and the predictive value of a positive slide was 22.2 por cent. Microscopic diagnoses need to be improved, and adequate surveillance must be reestablished to identify areas where transmission is most intense. The generally low level of malaria is encouraging and suggests that intensified control efforts targeted to the areas of highest prevalence could furhter diminish the effect of malaria in Haiti