The malaria burden of Amerindian groups of three Venezuelan states: a descriptive study based on programmatic data

Abstract Background Fifty-three percent of all cases malaria in the Americas 2019 came from Venezuela, where epidemic is heavily focused south Orinoco river, and most country’s Amerindian groups live. Although disease known to represent a significant public health problem among these populations, little epidemiological data exists on subject. This study aims provide information incidence, geospatial clustering, risk factors associated Plasmodium falciparum infection groups. Methods descriptive based analysis published unpublished programmatic collected by Venezuelan authorities non-government organizations between 2014 2018. The Annual Parasite Index indigenous (API-i) municipalities three states (Amazonas, Bolivar, Sucre) were calculated compared using Kruskal Wallis test, for identified via binomial logistic regression maps constructed identify clusters patients Moran’s I Getis-Ord’s hot spot analysis. Results 116,097 registered during period. An increasing trend was observed 2016 but reverted Malaria incidence remains higher than spots states, although more importantly Bolivar. Most (73.3%) caused vivax , Hoti, Yanomami, Eñepa presented odds with falciparum. Conclusion populations increased 2018 seem have different geographic distribution those general population. These findings suggest that tailored interventions will be necessary curb impact transmission