Malaria-related sociodemographic and socio-economic characteristics in two peri-urban Colombian Pacific neighbourhoods

BACKGROUND: Malaria constitutes an important public health problem in peri-urban neighbourhoods of Quibdó, Chocó Department, one of the most deprived areas of Colombia. This study evaluated sociodemographic and socio-economic characteristics and Plasmodium infection in two peri-urban neighbourhoods of Quibdó. METHODS: A survey was provided to 136 individuals selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling to evaluate sociodemographic, socio-economic and clinical aspects as well as Plasmodium infection and malaria prevention practices. Relationships between variables and Plasmodium infection were evaluated by an exploratory analysis. RESULTS: Among participants, the malaria positivity rate was 8.8%. Northern participants mainly stayed/worked indoors, had better infrastructure and services, had access to bed nets and presented lower infection frequencies. Among the southern, more deprived population, outdoor work predominated; they experienced structural and protection resource gaps. Half of Plasmodium-infected participants had subclinical infection and nearly half carried gametocytes. Higher Plasmodium infection frequency was related with male sex, southern residence, lacking a bed net and deficient infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS: The results helped to identify the main sociodemographic and socio-economic characteristics relevant to transmission in peri-urban areas of Quibdó; they provide a preliminary perspective to strengthen control and prevention interventions through public health approaches and community participation.