Articles

Behavior-Based Malaria Incidence Prediction Model in the Hanura Community Health Center Work Area, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia

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Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. This disease remains a public health problem in the working area of ​​the Hanura Community Health Center, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. Behavioral factors and home protection conditions are thought to play a role in increasing the risk of malaria, such as the use of mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, wire mesh, and activities outside the house at night. This study aims to analyze behavioral factors that influence the incidence of malaria in the working area of ​​the Hanura Community Health Center, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia. This study used an observational analytical design with a case-control approach conducted in November 2025–January 2026. The study sample consisted of 113 case groups and 113 control groups selected using proportional random sampling techniques. Data were obtained through questionnaires and analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results showed that the use of mosquito nets had a significant relationship with the incidence of malaria (p-value = 0.016; OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.17–3.42), the use of mosquito repellent (p-value = 0.002; OR = 2.95; 95% CI = 1.53–5.70), and the use of wire netting (p-value = 0.008; OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.25–3.61). Meanwhile, activities outside the house at night did not have a significant relationship with the incidence of malaria (p-value = 0.893). Behavioral factors and physical protection of the house play an important role in the incidence of malaria. The use of mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, and wire netting has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of malaria, so that sustainable prevention efforts are needed through improving healthy living behaviors and protecting the home environment.

Incidence of the Metabolic Syndrome among Patients with Epilepsy Attending a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda

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Background & Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a combination of diverse metabolic disorders (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides, increased waist circumference, and low high density cholesterol, HDLc), is a well known public health problem worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing dramatically. MetS is a confirmed great risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Presently, limited information exists about incidence and the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with epilepsy.  We prospectively estimated the incidence of MetS in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: We recruited 322 participants, 161 patients with epilepsy and 161 healthy volunteers all of them free of any MetS criteria at the baseline and followed-up them for one year. New onset cases of MetS were defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) criteria.

Results: Over a 1-year follow-up, we observed 8 incident cases of MetS (7 individuals in patients group and 1 individual in control group) resulting in an annual cumulative incidence rate of 2.5%. We observed 9 cases losses to follow up. Patients with epilepsy presented a higher risk of developing MetS (RR=7.00, 95% CI: 0.891 – 1.67, p=0.032) than in control group. Sedentariness was associated with higher risk for MetS (hazard ratio, HR=6.537, 95%; confidence interval, C.I=1.269-33.685, p value =0.025.

Conclusion: Anti-epileptic therapy combined with sedentariness increases the risk of developing MetS among patients with epilepsy. Holistic clinical management of patients with epilepsy will significantly contribute to MetS prevention.