Mosquito longevity, vector capacity, and malaria incidence in West Timor and Central Java, Indonesia

The aim of this paper was to relate anopheline mosquito longevity to malaria incidence in two areas in Indonesia: West Timor and Central Java. We estimated the physiological age of females captured landing on humans or resting inside and outside buildings. The estimate was based on the state of the ovaries and was used to estimate longevity. The results showed that there were large differences between the two areas surveyed. In West Timor the longevity of the anophelines ranged from 13 to 23 days, sufficient for completing the intrinsic incubation cycle and for malaria transmission, whereas in Central Java the longevity was only 3 days, insufficient both for incubation and for transmission. We concluded that the West Timor study area had a greater risk of malaria transmission than that of Central Java and this was supported by village survey data that showed greater malaria incidence in West Timor than in Central Java

PELATIHAN TEKNISI LABORATORIUM BIOMOLEKULER KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT PROVINSI NTT UNTUK PERSIAPAN PENANGANAN SAMPEL COVID-19 SECARA POOLED-TEST

Dengan semakin meningkatnya kasus terkonfirmasi positif COVID-19 di wilayah provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), suatu metode pemeriksaan diagnostik yang dapat menganalisa sampel dalam jumlah banyak dengan waktu singkat menjadi sangat imperatif untuk dilakukan. Menyikapi hal ini, sejumlah putra-putri NTT yang tergabung dalam organisasi Forum Academia NTT (FAN) memprakarsai penerapan metode pooled-test untuk analisa diagnostik sampel COVID-19 yang diharapkan dapat mengoptimalkan program pemerintah dalam mempercepat penanganan penyakit ini di wilayah NTT. Pada Maret 2020 lalu, sebanyak 13 teknisi laboratorium (laboran) telah berhasil diseleksi yang akan ditempatkan pada Laboratorium Biomolekuler Kesehatan Masyarakat Provinsi NTT, khususnya untuk menjalankan prosedur analisis sampel menggunakan metode tersebut di atas. Akan tetapi, sebelum para laboran ini siap beraktivitas, diperlukan suatu pelatihan khusus yang dapat membekali mereka dengan kompetensi dan keterampilan dasar yang diperlukan. Pada Juni 2020, pelatihan Biomolekuler tahap I telah dilaksanakan yang memiliki maksud dan tujuan tersebut. Topik pelatihan yang diajarkan berupa: Pengenalan Biosafety Lab dan Biosafety Cabinet, Teknik Penggunaan Mikropipet, Teknik Analisis DNA/RNA menggunakan metode Elektroforesis, Nano-Spektrofotometer, PCR dan qPCR, serta Pengenalan metode Pooled-test. Berdasarkan hasil observasi, para peserta dianggap telah cukup menguasai berbagai teknik Biomolekuler Dasar yang diajarkan yang diharapkan dapat berkontribusi terhadap hasil penanganan analisis sampel yang lebih akurat, terpercaya dan dapat dipertanggungjawabkan

Relationships between anopheline mosquitoes and topography in West Timor and Java, Indonesia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is a serious health issue in Indonesia. Mosquito control is one aspect of an integrated malaria management programme. To focus resources on priority areas, information is needed about the vectors and their habitats. This research aimed to identify the relationship between anopheline mosquitoes and topography in West Timor and Java.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Study areas were selected in three topographic types in West Timor and Java. These were: coastal plain, hilly (rice field) and highland. Adult mosquitoes were captured landing on humans identified to species level and counted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eleven species were recorded, four of which were significant for malaria transmission: <it>Anopheles aconitus, Anopheles barbirostris, Anopheles subpictus </it>and <it>Anopheles sundaicus</it>. Each species occupied different topographies, but only five were significantly associated: <it>Anopheles annularis, Anopheles vagus </it>and <it>Anopheles subpictus </it>(Java only) with hilly rice fields; <it>Anopheles barbirostris, Anopheles maculatus </it>and <it>Anopheles subpictus </it>(West Timor only) with coastal areas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Information on significant malaria vectors associated with specific topography is useful for planning the mosquito control aspect of malaria management.</p

Malaria in Indonesia: A summary of recent research into its environmental relationships

A review of the literature was carried out to evaluate malaria and its environmental relationships. Research, in 6 parts of Indonesia, addressed the relationship between malaria incidence and physical and socioeconomic environmental factors, using longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches. Physical factors, which are generally important for malaria, included rainfall, mosquito breeding and resting sites, their distance from human habitation, and elevation, though the latter was not statistically significant. Housing conditions were occasionally important. Social and economic factors of importance were income, education, use of bednets and pattern of outdoor activities, especially at night. Use of repellents, mosquito coils and sleeping arrangements were significant in some of the studies

How using light touch immersion research revealed important insights into the lack of progress in malaria elimination in Eastern Indonesia

Abstract Background By 2022, the Government of Indonesia had successfully eliminated malaria in 389 out of 514 districts but continues to face a challenge in Eastern Indonesia where 95% of the total 2021 malaria cases were reported from Papua, West Papua and Nusa Tenggara Timur provinces. There is an increased recognition that malaria elimination will require a better understanding of the human behavioural factors hindering malaria prevention and treatment, informed by local context and local practice. Methods This research used a light-touch immersion research approach. Field researchers lived in communities over several days to gather data through informal conversations, group-based discussions using visual tools, participant observation and direct experience. The study was conducted in four high malaria endemic areas in Papua, West Papua, and Sumba Islands in Nusa Tenggara Timur. Results The research highlights how people’s perception of malaria has changed since the introduction of effective treatment which, in turn, has contributed to a casual attitude towards early testing and adherence to malaria treatment. It also confirms that people rarely accept there is a link between mosquitoes and malaria based on their experience but nevertheless take precautions against the annoyance of mosquitoes. There is widespread recognition that babies and small children, elderly and incomers are more likely to be seriously affected by malaria and separately, more troubled by mosquitoes than indigenous adult populations. This is primarily explained by acclimatization and strong immune systems among the latter. Conclusions Using immersion research enabled behaviour research within a naturalistic setting, which in turn enabled experiential-led analysis of findings and revealed previously unrecognized insights into attitudes towards malaria in Eastern Indonesia. The research provides explanations of people’s lack of motivation to consistently use bed nets, seek early diagnosis or complete courses of treatment. The felt concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable populations highlighted during light touch immersion provides an entry point for future social behaviour change communication interventions. Rather than trying to explain transmission to people who deny this connection, the research concludes that it may be better to focus separately on the two problems of malaria and mosquitoes (especially for vulnerable groups) thereby resonating with local people’s own experience and felt concerns