PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Haiti”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Glucose intolerance and other cardiovascular risk factors in Haiti. Prevalence of Diabetes and Hypertension in Haiti (PREDIAH).

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of diabetes and other forms of glucose intolerance and to examine their relationship with some cardiovascular risk factors in a population representative of the capital of Haiti. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A population-based sample of 1620 adults was randomly selected using a two-stage cluster method, stratified in 3 age groups: 20-39, 40-64 and > or =65 years of age. Diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes (IFG and IGT) was based on the 2003 Expert Committee criteria. RESULTS: The total response rate was 69%. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes was 4.8% in men and 8.9% in women (P=0.0014), with, overall, 70.6% of previously diagnosed cases. Standardized for the Segi world population aged 30-64 years, its prevalence was 7.4% in men and 11.1% in women (NS). The age-standardized prevalence of pre-diabetes was 6.4% in men and 8.0% in women (NS). Hypertension was found in 48.7% in men and 46.5% in women (NS). Its rates in people > or =40 years old were 69.1% in men and 67.2% in women (NS). Abdominal obesity was strongly independently associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes in both genders. Hypertension was shown to be risk factor for pre-diabetes and total glucose intolerance in women. High education was associated with lower risk of diabetes in men. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes is moderately high in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In people aged > or =40 years, the rate of normal blood pressure is less than 25%. Intervention programs to prevent simultaneously and manage diabetes and hypertension are imperative, and prevention strategies through lifestyle modifications should be cost-effective.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The integrated management of childhood illness: Haiti's example].

Child health in developing countries is a public health priority both at the national and international level. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and other technical partners have developed The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy to reduce child mortality and improve child health and development through a holistic approach. By the end of 2002, 109 countries among which 17 in the region of the Americas and Caribbean had adopted and implemented this strategy,. In this region, Haiti presents the highest mortality rate for under-fives. Every year, more than 138,000 children die of diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and perinatal complications. Malnutrition contributes to a high percentage of these deaths. It is recognised that the mortality due to these diseases can be prevented. To fight this burden, Haiti officially adopted the IMCI strategy in 1997. The objectives of this paper are, after a general overview of the IMCI strategy, to describe Haiti's child health and analyse the achievements of the first steps of implementing the IMCI strategy in Haiti. The methodology used was a standardised literature review and a qualitative survey based on semi-structured interviews of national and local health authorities involved in the implementation of the IMCI strategy in Haiti. Main results show a limited impact of the first and second phase of implementation in the country. The key factors for this have been limited economical and human resources. A unequal distribution of existing resources between the different IMCI strategy components especially community and family practices, has limited adequate coverage. Isolated actions in favour of child health as well as a lack of co-ordinated interventions between the various actors have been among the barriers for an adequate implementation of this strategy. We recognise that the approach used here is not a formal evaluation on the implementation of IMCI in Haiti. Nevertheless, we hope this article will contribute to draw the attention of national and international public health decision-makers on the difficulties of implementing this strategy in Haiti and in this way, improve child health in the country.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fathers clubs to improve child health in rural Haiti.

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes an innovative public health nursing strategy, village-based fathers clubs, to improve child and family health in rural Haiti. It discusses related nursing implications in Haiti and other parts of the world. DESIGN: Relevant current literature was reviewed and evaluated with respect to child health in Haiti and the development of the fathers clubs. Program participants and organizers were consulted. SAMPLE: The fathers clubs in remote areas of Jeremie Haiti, participants and program directors, provided input for this description. RESULTS: Public health practitioners continually face grave challenges when addressing the health care needs in less developed countries. One such case is Haiti, where crushing poverty, poor infrastructure, a failing economy, natural disasters, and chaotic sociopolitical conditions compound these challenges. Public health practitioners, including nurses, must seek creative, culturally-appropriate, low technologic approaches to improve the health of the children and families in the remote villages of Haiti. The institution and support of village fathers clubs is one approach that has been ongoing since 1994. Fathers meet together on a regular basis for health education, support, and community building activities. The curriculum is health-based and facilitated by nurses, with participation by young and old men alike. CONCLUSIONS: Participants and organizers believe that family and child health is improved as a result of the groups.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Molecular characterization and drug resistance patterns of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients in an AIDS counseling center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti: a 1-year study.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common opportunistic diseases that appear among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in Haiti. In this context the probable emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is of great epidemiological concern. However, as routine culture of M. tuberculosis and drug susceptibility testing are not performed in Haiti, it has not been possible so far to evaluate the rate of drug resistance among M. tuberculosis isolates from circulating TB cases. This report describes the first study on the molecular typing and drug resistance of M. tuberculosis isolates from patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis monitored at the GHESKIO Centers in Haiti during the year 2000. Clinical, epidemiological, and drug susceptibility testing results were available for 157 patients with confirmed cases of TB, with a total of 8.9% of patients harboring MDR M. tuberculosis. A significant association between the occurrence of resistance and previous TB treatment was observed (P < 0.001), suggesting that a previous history of TB treatment was a risk factor associated with MDR TB in Haiti. The DNAs of individual isolates from 106 samples were available and were typed by spoligotyping and determination of the variable number of tandem DNA repeats. Both typing methods provided interpretable results for 96 isolates, and the clusters observed were further confirmed by ligation-mediated PCR to define potential cases of active transmission. Thirty-three (34%) of the isolates were found to be grouped into 11 clusters with two or more identical patterns. However, an assessment of risk factors (sex, HIV positivity, previous treatment, drug resistance) showed that none was significantly associated with the active transmission of TB. These observations suggest that acquired MDR TB is prevalent in Haiti and may be associated with compliance issues during TB treatment since prior TB therapy is the strongest risk factor associated with MDR TB. Prevention of TB transmission in Haiti should target active case investigation, routine detection of drug resistance, and adequate treatment of patients. The use of directly observed short-course therapy should be enforced throughout the country; and relapses, reactivations, or newly acquired infections should be discriminated by genotyping methods.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2003

Solar disinfection (SODIS): simulation of solar radiation for global assessment and application for point-of-use water treatment in Haiti.

Haiti and other developing countries do not have sufficient meteorological data to evaluate if they meet the solar disinfection (SODIS) threshold of 3-5 h of solar radiation above 500 W/m2, which is required for adequate microbial inactivation in drinking water. We have developed a mathematical model based on satellite-derived daily total energies to simulate monthly mean, minimum, and maximum 5-h averaged peak solar radiation intensities. This model can be used to assess if SODIS technology would be applicable anywhere in the world. Field measurements were made in Haiti during January 2001 to evaluate the model and test SODIS efficacy as a point-of-use treatment option. Using the total energy from a measured solar radiation intensity profile, the model recreated the intensity profile with 99% agreement. NASA satellite data were then used to simulate the mean, minimum, and maximum 5-h averaged peak intensities for Haiti in January, which were within 98.5%, 62.5%, and 86.0% agreement with the measured values, respectively. Most of the discrepancy was attributed to the heterogeneous nature of Haiti's terrain and the spatial resolution of the NASA data. Additional model simulations suggest that SODIS should be effective year-round in Haiti. Actual SODIS efficacy in January was tested by the inactivation of total coliform, E. coli, and H2S-producing bacteria. Exposure period proved critical. One-day exposure achieved complete bacterial inactivation 52% of the time, while a 2-day exposure period achieved complete microbial inactivation 100% of the time. A practical way of providing people with cold water every morning that has undergone a 2-day exposure would be to rotate three groups of bottles every morning, so two groups are out in the sun and one is being used for consumption.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2004

A picture of amputees and the prosthetic situation in Haiti.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present the situation of Haitian amputees and to outline some of the major barriers in Haiti that prevent people from receiving prosthetic treatment. METHOD: Interviews were conducted with amputees throughout Haiti using a 42-question questionnaire. Additionally, interviews were conducted with traditional healers, health care workers, and leaders of handicap associations. Each interview was manuscripted and the data were subsequently coded and analysed in the USA. RESULTS: There are three full-time prosthetic shops and two part-time prosthetic shops in Haiti, all of which are severely limited in the scope of services they are able to provide amputees due to insufficient supplies and inadequately trained personnel. Only 25% of the 164 amputees interviewed had ever had a prosthetic limb. Typically prosthetic treatment is inaccessible and unaffordable for amputees, which prevents many from seeking treatment. The most common cause of amputation in Haiti is infection, followed by motor vehicle accidents. CONCLUSION: There must be additional cooperation between Haitian patients, doctors, traditional healers, prosthetists, and government officials in order to provide more adequate prosthetic care. Prosthetic treatment in Haiti can be successful with cooperation of different entities, proper rehabilitation therapy, adequately trained personnel, and development of culturally appropriate limbs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Reducing under-five mortality through Hôpital Albert Schweitzer's integrated system in Haiti.

BACKGROUND: The degree to which local health systems contribute to reductions in under-five mortality in severely impoverished settings has not been well documented. The current study compares the under-five mortality in the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) Primary Health Care Service Area with that for Haiti in general. HAS provides an integrated system of community-based primary health care services, hospital care and community development. METHODS: A sample of 10% of the women of reproductive age in the HAS service area was interviewed, and 2390 live births and 149 child deaths were documented for the period 1995-99. Under-five mortality rates were computed and compared with rates for Haiti. In addition, available data regarding inputs, processes and outputs for the HAS service area and for Haiti were assembled and compared. RESULTS: Under-five mortality was 58% less in the HAS service area, and mortality for children 12-59 months of age was 76% less. These results were achieved with an input of fewer physicians and hospital beds per capita than is available for Haiti nationwide, but with twice as many graduate nurses and auxiliary nurses per capita than are available nationwide, and with three cadres of health workers that do not exist nationwide: Physician Extenders, Health Agents and Community Health Volunteers. The population coverage of targeted child survival services was generally 1.5-2 times higher in the HAS service area than in rural Haiti. DISCUSSION: These findings support the conclusion that a well-developed system of primary health care, with outreach services to the household level, integrated with hospital referral care and community development programmes, can make a strong contribution to reducing infant and child mortality in severely impoverished settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Dental caries in twelve- and fifteen-year-olds: results from the basic oral health survey in Haiti.

OBJECTIVE: Reports on oral health investigations in Haiti are sparse. There are only three peer-reviewed published articles on oral health in Haiti. In order to construct a national dataset useful for public health planning, a representative dental caries survey of Haitian school attending children was conducted in 1999. METHODS: This survey was conducted using a modified version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Basic Oral Health Survey (BOHS) pathfinder method. Children ages 12 and 15 years old attending public or private schools in both rural and urban regions were targeted in seven of the nine geographic Departments of Haiti: each Department constituted a strata that was further stratified into the major urban center and one or more rural towns. Four trained examiners, calibrated to WHO caries criteria, conducted the survey RESULTS: Of the total 1,218 examined 12- and 15-year-olds, 31% of the 12-year-olds and 46% of the 15-year-olds had a DMFS of 1 or more, i.e., these percentages are the simple prevalence levels of dental caries for those age groups in Haiti. Mean DMFS scores were 1.01 (SE 0.09) and 2.52 (SE 0.02) for the 12- and 15-year-olds, respectively. No difference was observed between gender, while differences were found by geographical classification. Less than 1% of the children had any dental restorations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this investigation suggest that at the population level, permanent dentition caries in early adolescence is a minimal health problem, relative to dental caries in other neighboring Caribbean countries, as well as to other health conditions in Haiti. However, at the individual level, those children afflicted with decay are without dental services for all practical purposes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Impact of DOTS expansion on tuberculosis related outcomes and costs in Haiti.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of the World Health Organization's DOTS strategy (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course therapy) can result in significant reduction in tuberculosis incidence. We estimated potential costs and benefits of DOTS expansion in Haiti from the government, and societal perspectives. METHODS: Using decision analysis incorporating multiple Markov processes (Markov modelling), we compared expected tuberculosis morbidity, mortality and costs in Haiti with DOTS expansion to reach all of the country, and achieve WHO benchmarks, or if the current situation did not change. Probabilities of tuberculosis related outcomes were derived from the published literature. Government health expenditures, patient and family costs were measured in direct surveys in Haiti and expressed in 2003 US$. RESULTS: Starting in 2003, DOTS expansion in Haiti is anticipated to cost $4.2 million and result in 63,080 fewer tuberculosis cases, 53,120 fewer tuberculosis deaths, and net societal savings of $131 million, over 20 years. Current government spending for tuberculosis is high, relative to the per capita income, and would be only slightly lower with DOTS. Societal savings would begin within 4 years, and would be substantial in all scenarios considered, including higher HIV seroprevalence or drug resistance, unchanged incidence following DOTS expansion, or doubling of initial and ongoing costs for DOTS expansion. CONCLUSION: A modest investment for DOTS expansion in Haiti would provide considerable humanitarian benefit by reducing tuberculosis-related morbidity, mortality and costs for patients and their families. These benefits, together with projected minimal Haitian government savings, argue strongly for donor support for DOTS expansion.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed2005

Prenatal care utilization in rural areas and urban areas of Haiti.

OBJECTIVES: This study is based on the 2000 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Haiti. Using the DHS information on women aged 15 to 49 who had given birth during the three years preceding the survey interview, this study was intended to: (1) examine the determinants of the likelihood of the women using prenatal care in the rural areas and in the urban areas of the country and (2) for the women who made at least one prenatal care visit, examine the determinants of the number of prenatal visits in the rural areas and the urban areas. METHODS: The multivariate analysis used logistic models to identify which factors explained the decision to seek prenatal care, and negative binomial models were used to determine how many prenatal visits were conducted by the subgroup of women who did make prenatal care visits. RESULTS: Estimated at the mean values of the control variables, the expected probability of using prenatal care services in rural Haiti was 77.16%, compared to 85.83% in urban Haiti. Among users of prenatal care services, mothers in rural areas made an expected number of 3.78 prenatal care visits, compared to 5.06 visits for the women in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of pregnant women have access to prenatal care services in Haiti, but mothers in rural areas who decided to seek care still fell slightly below the four visits recommended by the World Health Organization. The education levels of both mothers and their partners is a dominant predictor of prenatal care use. Longer travel times and greater distances to health centers in rural areas constituted barriers to repeated visits. Policymakers and health care providers need to take these findings into consideration as they decide on the delivery and management of health care services in Haiti.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Long-term reductions in mortality among children under age 5 in rural Haiti: effects of a comprehensive health system in an impoverished setting.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence regarding the long-term impact of health and other community development programs on under-5 mortality (the risk of death from birth until the fifth birthday) is limited. We compared mortality in a population served by health and other community development programs at the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) with national mortality rates among children younger than 5 years for Haiti between 1958 and 1999. METHODS: We collected information on births and deaths in the HAS service area between 1995 and 1999 and assembled previously published under-5 mortality rates at HAS. Published national rates for Haiti served as a comparison. RESULTS: In the early 1970s, the under-5 mortality rate at HAS declined to a level three fourths lower than that in Haiti nationwide. More recently, HAS rates have remained at one half those for Haiti nationwide. Child survival interventions in the HAS service area were substantially higher than in Haiti nationwide although socioeconomic characteristics and levels of childhood malnutrition were similar in both areas. CONCLUSIONS: HAS's programs have been responsible for long-term sustained reduction in mortality among children aged less than 5 years. Integrated systems for health and other community development programs could be an effective strategy for achieving the United Nations Millennium Goal to reduce under-5 mortality two thirds by 2015.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed1997

Dengue fever in US military personnel in Haiti.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical manifestations and public health implications of an outbreak of dengue fever (DF) during Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti, 1994. DESIGN: Consecutive sample. SETTING: Military combat support hospital, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. PATIENTS: A total of 101 US military personnel with acute febrile illnesses. INTERVENTIONS: A disease surveillance team collected clinical and epidemiologic data from US military clinics throughout Haiti. Febrile patients admitted to the combat support hospital were evaluated with standardized clinical and laboratory procedures. The surveillance team followed patients daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arbovirus isolation and specific antibody determination and symptoms and physical findings. RESULTS: Febrile illnesses accounted for 103 (25%) of the 406 combat support hospital admissions during the first 6 weeks of deployment. All patients with febrile illness recovered. A total of 30 patients had DF; no patient had evidence of infection with malaria. Dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, and 4 were isolated from 22 patients, and 8 patients developed IgM antibody to dengue virus. Patients with DF could not be distinguished from other febrile patients on clinical grounds alone. No arboviruses other than dengue were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance, with clinical and laboratory evaluation directed by an epidemiologic team, led to the timely recognition of an outbreak of febrile illness among US troops in Haiti. Viral isolation and serological studies were essential in confirming DF. During the surveillance period, DF accounted for at least 30% of the febrile illnesses among hospitalized US troops. Dengue fever is a significant threat to military personnel and civilian travelers in Haiti and has the potential for introduction to and transmission in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Factors associated with forced sex among women accessing health services in rural Haiti: implications for the prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The goals of the current study were to: (1) estimate the prevalence of forced sex among women accessing services at a women's health clinic in rural Haiti; and (2) examine factors associated with forced sex in this population. Based on data from a case-control study of risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a cross-sectional analysis to examine factors associated with forced sex was performed. A number of factors related to gender inequality/socioeconomic vulnerability placed women in rural Haiti at higher risk of forced sex. The strongest factors associated with forced sex in multivariate analyses were: age, length of time in a relationship, occupation of the woman's partner, STD-related symptoms, and factors demonstrating economic vulnerability. The findings suggest that prevention efforts must go beyond provision of information and education to the pursuit of broader initiatives at both local and national levels. At the community level, policy-makers should consider advancing economic opportunities for women who are vulnerable to forced sex. Improving access to community-based income-generating activities may begin to address this problem. However, the viability of these local projects depends largely upon Haiti's 'macro-economic' situation. In order to ensure the success of local initiatives, external humanitarian and development assistance to Haiti should be supported. By broadening the definition of "prevention" interventions, we may begin to address the systemic problems that contribute to the occurrence of forced sex and the increasing incidence of HIV infection throughout the world, such as gender inequality and economic vulnerability. Taking into account factors influencing risk at the local level as well as the macro-level will potentially improve our capacity to reduce the risk of forced sex and the spread of STDs, including HIV infection, for millions of women living in poverty worldwide.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Characteristics of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Haiti.

To identify the characteristics of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as it occurs in Haiti, we studied 61 previously healthy Haitians who had diagnoses of either Kaposi's sarcoma (15), opportunistic infections (45), or both (1) established in Haiti between June 1979 and October 1982. The first cases of Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections in Haiti were recognized in 1978-1979, a period that coincides with the earliest reports of AIDS in the United States. We do not believe that AIDS existed in Haiti before this period. The types of opportunistic infections and the clinical course in Haitians with Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections were similar in most aspects to those in patients with AIDS in the United States. The median age of Haitians with Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections was 32 years, and 85 per cent were men. The interval between diagnosis and death was six months in 80 per cent of the patients. Diarrhea was the most common reason for seeking medical attention in patients with opportunistic infections. Lymphopenia and skin-test anergy were observed in 86 and 100 per cent of patients, respectively. Potential risk factors (bisexual activity or blood transfusions) were identified in 17 per cent of male and 22 per cent of female patients. Demographic information suggests that patients belonged to all socioeconomic strata of Haitian society.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Pharmaceutical services in an Army field hospital in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.

The pharmaceutical services provided by an Army field hospital in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy are described. In January 1995, 155 soldiers of the 47th Field Hospital from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, were deployed to Haiti to provide medical care for 2400 U.S. troops and 7000 multinational troops and police officers. The pharmacy staff (one pharmacist and two technicians) provided patient counseling, drug information, staff consultation, and clinical support to the intensive and intermediate care wards and emergency medical tent of the field hospital. Other responsibilities were providing nonprescription drugs to outpatients, interpreting and evaluating drug orders, participating in drug selection, and ordering supplies. A 30- to 60-day drug supply was maintained. The formulary was designed by the pharmacist and an internist and was based on the mission requirements and conditions in Haiti. Of the 10 oral medications most commonly dispensed to outpatients, 6 were antibacterials and 1 was an antimalarial. An average of two patients were admitted to the hospital daily. Some 240 inpatients were recorded in the pharmacy computer during the hospital's six-month deployment, and more than 5000 were treated in the emergency tent. The pharmacy service of the 47th Field Hospital met the challenge of supporting U.S. and multinational troops in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.

Haiti↗
PubMed2006

Identification of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among women in rural Haiti: maximising access to treatment in a resource poor setting.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a risk assessment algorithm that will increase the identification and treatment of women with cervical infection in rural Haiti. METHODS: Study participants were randomly selected from new patients who accessed services at a women's health clinic in rural Haiti between June 1999 and December 2002. This case-control study included women who tested positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea based on the Gen-Probe PACE 2 laboratory test as cases. Controls were women who tested negative for both of these infections. RESULTS: Women from this area of rural Haiti had a limited level of education and lived in impoverished housing conditions. The sensitivity estimates of Haitian Ministry of Health and WHO algorithms for detecting chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea were generally low (ranging from 16.1% to 68.1%) in this population. Risk scores based on logistic regression models of local risk factors for chlamydia and gonorrhoea were developed and sensitivity estimates were higher for algorithms based on these risk scores (up to 98.8%); however, specificity was compromised. CONCLUSIONS: A risk assessment algorithm to identify women with chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea is more sensitive and less specific than the syndromic management approach advocated by WHO and adapted by the Haitian Ministry of Health. Using a risk assessment tool with high sensitivity based on local risk factors of cervical infection will maximise access to care, improve outcomes, and decrease morbidity in women who have cervical infection in rural Haiti.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Malaria in the Limbé River valley of northern Haiti: a hospital-based retrospective study, 1975-1997.

In the Limbé River valley of northern Haiti a retrospective study at the Bon Samaritain Hospital (BSH) determined the total number of cases and the cyclical nature of malaria from 1975 through 1997, examined the relationship between rainfall and malaria from 1975 through 1985, and compared the incidence of malaria at that hospital with general trends for Haiti for 1975 through 1996 as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). During 1975-1997, 27,078 positive cases of malaria were diagnosed at BSH; 50% of these cases occurred during 16 weeks out of the year, during a summer peak in June and July and a winter peak in December and January. For 1975-1985, there was no significant correlation between the incidence of malaria and annual rainfall. The strongest correlation was observed between weekly rainfall and weekly incidence of malaria when the data was staggered to allow a lag of 9-11 weeks between rainfall and new malaria cases. The lag period is explained by the time required for the creation of breeding sites after rain, the life cycles of the Anopheles albimanus mosquito and the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, and the incubation period for falciparum malaria. The incidence of malaria in the Limbé River valley loosely followed the trends in all of Haiti and also supported WHO reports indicating that malaria in Haiti has been in a general decline since the mid-1980s. By showing the seasonal trends for malaria in the Limbé valley and the relationship between rainfall and malaria over an extended time period, this study provides a means to measure the effectiveness of malaria control efforts in the region.

Cohort Studies↗