Malaria Burden in Refugee Camps
Author Information
Author(s): Jamie Anderson, Shannon Doocy, Christopher Haskew, Paul Spiegel, William J. Moss
Primary Institution: Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
Hypothesis
What is the incidence and mortality of malaria among refugees in post-emergency sites?
Conclusion
Malaria remains a significant cause of mortality among children younger than five years of age in refugee camps, despite some declines in incidence.
Supporting Evidence
- Malaria incidence rates were highest in Tanzania, with 399 confirmed cases per 1,000 refugees.
- Malaria accounted for 16% of deaths in refugee children under five years of age.
- Annual malaria mortality rates were highest in Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Takeaway
Malaria is still a big problem for kids in refugee camps, even though some places are doing better at controlling it.
Methodology
Data on malaria incidence and mortality were analyzed from the UNHCR Health Information System database across nine countries from 2006 to 2009.
Potential Biases
Variability in reporting practices and case definitions may introduce bias.
Limitations
Data collection methods varied by camp and country, and accurate diagnosis of malaria may have been misclassified.
Participant Demographics
An average of 1,178,888 refugees resided in 60 sites, with 16.3% being children under five years old.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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