Malaria care-seeking behaviours and infection prevalence among short-term Myanmar migrants in Thailand
Issued Date
2025-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
14752875
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105014913405
Journal Title
Malaria Journal
Volume
24
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Malaria Journal Vol.24 No.1 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Aung P.L., Sripoorote P., Inthitanon N., Wattanagoon Y., Hamers R.L., Van Nuil J.I., Cui L., Nguitragool W., Jones L., Sudewo A.G., Sattabongkot J., Parker D.M. Malaria care-seeking behaviours and infection prevalence among short-term Myanmar migrants in Thailand. Malaria Journal Vol.24 No.1 (2025). doi:10.1186/s12936-025-05539-8 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112015
Title
Malaria care-seeking behaviours and infection prevalence among short-term Myanmar migrants in Thailand
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: The recent resurgence of malaria in western Thailand has coincided with increased cross-border migration from Myanmar following political unrest. As short-term migrants from endemic areas may contribute to sustained local transmission, this study examined their malaria care-seeking behaviours and infection prevalence. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during March–April 2025 in six malaria-endemic villages of Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, western Thailand. A structured questionnaire was administered, including a nine-item section on care-seeking behaviours. Malaria prevalence was determined by PCR testing of dried blood spot samples. Determinants of care-seeking scores were analysed using a generalized linear model, and infection risk was estimated using Firth logistic regression. Results: Among 300 participants (mean age: 34.5 ± 14.5 years; 47.3% male), over 60% recognised the need to seek care for fever or chills, yet only 35% reported doing so within 24 h of symptom onset. Although 98.0% preferred public health facilities, only 50.3% had ever visited one for suspected malaria. Higher care-seeking scores were associated with being a daily wage labourer (β = 0.66; 95% CI 0.01–1.31), infrequent return to Myanmar (β = 1.34; 95% CI 0.05–2.62), prior malaria experience (β = 1.08; 95% CI 0.59–1.58), and higher malaria knowledge (β = 0.34; 95% CI 0.24–0.44). Karen ethnicity was negatively associated with care-seeking (β = − 0.95; 95% CI − 1.74 to − 0.16). Six (2%) afebrile Plasmodium vivax infections were detected. Lower malaria knowledge (OR = 13.5; 95% CI 1.58–177.0) and care-seeking scores (OR = 5.86; 95% CI 1.15–57.7) were significantly associated with infection. Conclusions: Despite generally positive attitudes toward malaria, self-reported timely care-seeking among short-term Myanmar migrants remained limited. Socioeconomic status, migration patterns, ethnicity, and malaria knowledge significantly influenced care-seeking behaviours. The detection of asymptomatic P. vivax underscores the need for migrant-focused surveillance and targeted health education to support malaria elimination efforts.