[Epidemiology of urban malaria in Quibdo, Choco].

INTRODUCTION

Although urban malaria is a public health problem in Colombia, little is known about its epidemiological characteristics, needed for the implementation of rational control strategies.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in the urban area of the municipality of Quibd6, in northwest Colombia.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Malaria cases diagnosed in the city of Quibd6 between March and July, 2001 were classified as autochthonous or imported based on travel histories to endemic areas and place of residency. Autochthonous cases were mapped and risk areas identified using sex and age standardized morbidity ratios.

RESULTS

During the study period 839 malaria cases were included: 77% due to Plasmodium falciparum; 19% due to P. vivax and 4% infections due to both species. 24.4% of P. falciparum cases and 39.1% of P. vivax cases were classified as autochthonous. Those neighborhoods located in the southeast of the town showed the highest risk for malaria.

CONCLUSION

As in other urban areas, malaria transmission in the city of Quibdo is focal and the areas with the highest risk are located near vegetation zones. These results are useful to prioritize areas for intervention and the allocation of resources.