High Mobility and Low Use of Malaria Preventive Measures Among the Jarai Male Youth Along the Cambodia-Vietnam Border

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 93; no. 4; pp. 810 - 818
• Main Authors: Gryseels, Charlotte, Peeters Grietens, Koen, Dierickx, Susan, Xuan, Xa Nguyen, Uk, Sambunny, Bannister-Tyrrell, Melanie, Trienekens, Suzan, Ribera, Joan Muela, Hausmann-Muela, Susanna, Gerrets, René, D'Alessandro, Umberto, Sochantha, Tho, Coosemans, Marc, Erhart, Annette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Cambodia - epidemiology; Child; Emigration and Immigration - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Malaria - epidemiology; Malaria - prevention & control; Malaria, Falciparum - epidemiology; Malaria, Falciparum - prevention & control; Male; Mosquito Nets - statistics & numerical data; Vietnam - epidemiology; Young Adult; Cambodia; ISEW, Vietnam
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0259

Malaria control along the Vietnam-Cambodia border presents a challenge for both countries' malaria elimination targets as the region is forested, inhabited by ethnic minority populations, and potentially characterized by early and outdoor malaria transmission. A mixed methods study assessed the vulnerability to malaria among the Jarai population living on both sides of the border in the provinces of Ratanakiri (Cambodia) and Gia Lai (Vietnam). A qualitative study generated preliminary hypotheses that were quantified in two surveys, one targeting youth (N = 498) and the other household leaders (N = 449). Jarai male youth, especially in Cambodia, had lower uptake of preventive measures (57.4%) and more often stayed overnight in the deep forest (35.8%) compared with the female youth and the adult population. Among male youth, a high-risk subgroup was identified that regularly slept at friends' homes or outdoors, who had fewer bed nets (32.5%) that were torn more often (77.8%). The vulnerability of Jarai youth to malaria could be attributed to the transitional character of youth itself, implying less fixed sleeping arrangements in nonpermanent spaces or non-bed sites. Additional tools such as long-lasting hammock nets could be suitable as they are in line with current practices.