Confirmed malaria cases among active component U.S. Army personnel, January-September 2012

David P Shaha; Laura A Pacha; Eric C Garges; Stephanie L Scoville; James D Mancuso

Journal article

Confirmed malaria cases among active component U.S. Army personnel, January-September 2012

David P Shaha, Laura A Pacha, Eric C Garges, Stephanie L Scoville and James D Mancuso

MSMR (U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Executive Communications Division), Vol.20(1), pp.6-79

01/2013

PMID: 23373865

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Abstract

Of 26 cases of malaria reported among active component U.S. Army personnel during January through September 2012, 16 were laboratory-confirmed according to electronic medical records. Medical records and responses on postdeployment health assessment questionnaires were used to assess demographic and clinical characteristics, adherence to malaria prevention measures, and compliance with prescriptions for chemoprophylaxis. All but two cases were confirmed by peripheral blood smears. Twelve cases were caused by Plasmodium vivax, one by P. falciparum, and three unspecified diagnoses were deemed likely to be due to P. vivax. Fourteen cases were associated with deployment to Afghanistan. Adherence to Army malaria prevention measures during deployment and compliance with post-deployment primaquine chemprophylaxis were poor. Prescribed doses of primaquine often varied from current clinical or Department of Defense policy guidelines. Continued education, training and reinforcement of malaria prevention by medical and preventive medicine personnel are indicated, as is blood smear confirmation of suspected malaria cases. Unit commanders and supervisors play a crucial role in ensuring soldiers' adherence to malaria prevention measures.

Adult

Afghan Campaign 2001

Humans

Malaria - diagnosis

Malaria - epidemiology

Malaria - prevention & control

Malaria, Falciparum - epidemiology

Malaria, Vivax - epidemiology

Male

Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data

Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Confirmed malaria cases among active component U.S. Army personnel, January-September 2012
Creators: David P Shaha - University of Iowa
Laura A Pacha
Eric C Garges
Stephanie L Scoville
James D Mancuso
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: MSMR (U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Executive Communications Division), Vol.20(1), pp.6-79
PMID: 23373865
eISSN: 2152-8217
Language: English
Date published: 01/2013
Academic Unit: Neurology
Record Identifier: 9984256839902771

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