Study of social determinants of malaria in desert part of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Background & objectives: A longitudinal study on social determinants of malaria has been undertakenin different villages of Ramgarh PHC of Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The study aims to determinesocial determinants of malaria as applicable to existing cast groups of desert part of Rajasthan.Methods: Out of 940 households in five villages, 150 households of Rajput community (forwardcommunity) and Meghwal community (backward community) were selected at random to study whetherdue to different behaviour of existing caste groups, transmission of malaria and its intensity also varyor not.Results: It was found that magnitude of malaria was three times more in the Meghwal community ascompared to Rajput community. In-migration of natives importing malaria was found to be prominentcause of more malaria incidence in the backward community.Interpretation & conclusion: An intervention policy aiming to study existing status of knowledgeamong different caste groups of desert areas could lead to a substantial control over in-migration aswell as further transmission of disease in the desert part of Rajasthan.

Keywords

• Annual blood examination rate
• annual parasite incidence
• blood smear examination
• community