Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Introduction: Malaria Elimination Program Has Launched with the Technical Support from The World Health Organization Since 2007 in Iran. In Order to Achieve The Elimination of Malaria, All Positive Cases Should Be Diagnosed and Treated Promptly, Especially Asymptomatic and Low Parasitic cases. This Study Was Conducted to Determine The Effectiveness of The Molecular Method in The Detection of Asymptomatic Malaria Cases towards the successful Malaria Elimination Program in Iran.
Methods: In This Descriptive-analytical Study, 210 Samples Were Randomly Collected from Residents of High Risk malarious Areas of Hormozgan Province. The Rate of Asymptomatic Plasmodium Infection Was Evaluated Using Microscopic, RDT, and Nested-PCR Techniques (using18 ssrRNA).
Results: According to The Results, No Positive Asymptomatic Cases Were Observed with The Microscopic and RDT Methods, But by Using The Molecular Method, Three Positive Cases (1.4%) Were Detected.
Conclusion: The Results of This Study Showed That The sensitivity of molecular methods to detect asymptomatic parasitic reserviors is higher than other diagnostic methods and Nested-PCR is a good technique for detecting asymptomatic cases of malaria, therefore Use of a Sensitive Molecular Techniques With Wicroscopic and RDT Methods Is Necessary for The Detection of Asymptomatic Malaria Cases.
 

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Objective Malaria is one of the most dangerous parasitic diseases with high mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Since this disease is one of the public health issues in Hormozgan Province of Iran, and is highly affected by foreign immigrants (Pakistani and Afghans), this study aims to find the factors predicting the preventive behaviors against malaria in Afghan immigrants in Parsian City, Hormozgan Province, south of Iran, based on the health belief model (HBM).
Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 Afghan immigrants over 15 years of age referred to four comprehensive health service centers in Parsian City. Sampling was done by random method from the list of files available in the national integrated health system (SIB). The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation test, and linear regression analysis in SPSS software, version 25. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results The mean age of participants was 29.26±8.17 years. The results of Spearman correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between malaria prevention behaviors and all HBM constructs. The constructs of self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived severity were the significant predictors of malaria prevention behaviors in immigrants (P<0.001).
Conclusion It is recommended to improve the preventive behaviors against malaria in Afghan immigrants by improving their self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived severity by using appropriate interventions.