Environment and Health: a methodological approach for spatial assessment of malaria transmission in colonization projects in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Malaria at colonization sites in the Brazilian Amazon is defined as frontier malaria, a complex phenomenon including biological, ecological, socioeconomic, and behavioral issues. It follows a specific temporal transition cycle lasting approximately eight years, oscillating from extremely high rates of transmission to lower and stable ones. A broader understanding of this phenomenon that would account for its spatial and temporal idiosyncrasies is a major challenge. In this article we present a methodological approach that describes malaria risk profiles based on a multidisciplinary analysis. The approach combines spatial analysis, geostatistical tools, and fuzzy-set models. Results highlight the need for spatially and temporally targeted interventions for mitigating the spread of this disease.