Original Article Characteristics and risk factors of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Eastern and Central Nepal

Background: Very limited information is available on epidemiology of falciparum malaria in Nepal. Such information is very important for malaria control programmes. It is believed that malaria in Eastern region is imported from border districts of India and local transmission follows whereas it is indigenous in Central region. Therefore, the characteristics and risk factors of malaria are believed to be different in Eastern and Central Nepal. Objective: The objective of the study is to describe and compare the characteristics and risk factors of falciparum malaria in Eastern and Central Nepal. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in falciparum malaria endemic districts of Eastern and Central Nepal, during the period 2007 to 2008. We identifi ed and collected information from 106 patients (62 from Eastern and 44 from Central region). Patient examination, clinical and laboratory assessment were done and patients were interviewed using structured questionnaire for malaria related characteristics, risk factors and behaviours. Results: There were signifi cant differences in risk factors and characteristics of falciparum malaria in the Central than the Eastern region. In the Central region, male, illiteracy and thatched roof hut were signifi cant risk factors of falciparum malaria patients as compared to the Eastern region. Visits outside within one months, previous malaria within three months, taking antimalarial before confi rmatory diagnosis were signifi cantly higher in patients of the Eastern region a