MALARIA AMONG THE TULE (KUNA) PEOPLE OF RESGUARDO CAIMÁN NUEVO (TURBO Y NECOCLÍ; ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA), 2003-2004

Abstract

Objective: To study the annual incidence or malaria in 2001-2003 among the Tules of Resguardo Caimán Nuevo. Methodology: a descriptive study: a) retrospective: with data search in hospital records of Turbo and Necocli Hospitals and the Local Health Center at the Resguardo; b) prospective: to measure malaria prevalence by thick smear. Results: A) Malaria incidence during 2001-2003 according to our patients records. The annual index, per 1000 exposed was 154,67 in 2001, 146,89 in 2002 y 601,17 in 2003. B) According to records at the Resguardo Local Health Center a mean number of a positive thick smear was found in 39,4%. C) Malaria prevalence after active search was 433 (7,16% positive). The mean P. falciparum parasitaemia was 993 parasites/ µL (SD= 678). A 13% had history of malaria during the past month and 31% during the past year. Of all adult women, 41% had history of malaria during a pregnancy, a 76% of the population uses traditional medicine to prevent malaria. Each malaria case resulted in a loss of 7 working days. Conclusions: Urabá has a mean PAI >10, however, this is higher among the Tules. The lack of identification of the ethnic group in the regions studied, allows malaria to go undetected for the health authorities, an intercultural intervention measure is urgent.