Severity of Imported Malaria
Compliant use of malaria chemoprophylaxis was associated with significantly lower odds ratios for the occurrence of severe malaria and admission to ICU. These protective effects of malaria chemoprophylaxis on outcome of malaria were only present when malaria chemoprophylaxis was taken as indicated. Increasing age, acquisition of malaria in West Africa and being a non-immune tourist were identified as independent predictors associated with an increased risk of severe malaria. Partially immune individuals, in particular those visiting friends and relatives had significantly lower odds ratios for severe malaria. These important protective effects of compliant use of malaria chemoprophylaxis should be stressed in future pre-travel health encounters with travellers to tropical regions, especially with presumed non-immune and elderly travellers.
Conclusions
Compliant use of malaria chemoprophylaxis was associated with significantly lower odds ratios for the occurrence of severe malaria and admission to ICU. These protective effects of malaria chemoprophylaxis on outcome of malaria were only present when malaria chemoprophylaxis was taken as indicated. Increasing age, acquisition of malaria in West Africa and being a non-immune tourist were identified as independent predictors associated with an increased risk of severe malaria. Partially immune individuals, in particular those visiting friends and relatives had significantly lower odds ratios for severe malaria. These important protective effects of compliant use of malaria chemoprophylaxis should be stressed in future pre-travel health encounters with travellers to tropical regions, especially with presumed non-immune and elderly travellers.
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