Quantifying cross-border movements and migrations for guiding the strategic planning of malaria control and elimination

Background Cross-border malaria is a significant obstacle to achieving malaria control and elimination worldwide. Objective This study aimed to build a cross-border surveillance system that can make comparable and qualified data available to all parties involved in malaria control between French Guiana and Brazil. Methods Data reconciliation rules based on expert knowledge were defined and applied to the heterogeneous data provided by the existing malaria surveillance systems of both countries. Visualization dashboards were designed to facilitate progressive data exploration, analysis, and interpretation. Dedicated advanced open source and robust software solutions were chosen to facilitate solution sharing and reuse. Results A database gathering the harmonized data on cross-border malaria epidemiology is updated monthly with new individual malaria cases from both countries. Online dashboards permit a progressive and user-friendly visualization of raw data and epidemiological indicators, in the form of time series, maps, and data quality indexes. The monitoring system was shown to be able to identify changes in time series that are related to control actions, as well as differentiated changes according to space and to population subgroups. Conclusions This cross-border monitoring tool could help produce new scientific evidence on cross-border malaria dynamics, implementing cross-border cooperation for malaria control and elimination, and can be quickly adapted to other cross-border contexts.

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DESIGN OF EUROREGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM - "GROWTH POLE" OF PERIPHERAL ECONOMIC AREA

Economic innovations ◽

10.31520/ei.2019.21.4(73).94-112 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (4(73)) ◽

pp. 94-112

Author(s):

O.I. LAIKO ◽

SERGIY I. KOVALENKO

Keyword(s):

Human Capital ◽

Strategic Planning ◽

Regional Development ◽

European Regions ◽

Cluster Systems ◽

Economic Agents ◽

Cross Border ◽

Economic Area ◽

Innovative System ◽

Cross Border Cooperation

Topicality. The topicality of the research is determined by the important role of innovative forms of cross- border cooperation in improving competitiveness of peripheral boundary regions, reducing of regional differentiation between cross border and internal regions, on one hand, and immaturity of theoretical and methodological aspects of studying the cross-border cooperation mechanisms, on the other. The reforming of the system controlling of the regional development involves the implementation of new quality of the regional strategy the aim of which is both to ensure the modernization of the country’s economy and to carry out complex and balanced development of peripheral (boundary) regions.Aim and tasks. The aim of the article under consideration is to offer theoretical and methodological provisions and practical propositions to justify the improvement tools of project planning of the European regional innovative systems with Ukraine as a participant of cross-border cooperation under the conditions of EU enlargement by means of creating transnational cluster systems – network industrial integration institutions – which have become the poles of economical growth and competitiveness of peripheral economic area. The task is to work out the theoretical provisions and methodological principles of strategic planning to create and develop cross-border cluster systems in different sectors of economy taking into consideration their potential role as the systems that are able to fulfil purposes and to tackle problems with a focus on solving the task of modernization of Ukrainian peripheral regions’ economic system.Research results. The objects of strategic planning are cross-border cluster systems looked upon as territorially located socially economic systems formed by a group of independent economic agents from the both sides of the border, by the organizations of bodies of executive power of the countries-actors of the European region and civil society. They consistently interact with each other by means of information, service, human and funds exchange and provide extra efficiency as compared with other, not systematically organized objects. Cross-border cluster systems can become the centers of regional development: investments promotion, diffusion of innovations, creation of human capital of new quality, standard of business relations, development of adequate institutions geared to address the task of the country’s economy modernization. For good reason, to raise the level of innovative economy of a peripheral region it is necessary to integrate educational and scientific infrastructure with power structures and with business environment to increase the layer of development on innovative enterprises. Universities should develop cooperation with the industry, use new approaches in academic research reflecting the needs of regional firms and assisting in strengthening their central role in EU regional innovative system development.Conclusion. Formation of EU regional innovative system considerably transforms the priority of the main siting factors which changes the functions of periphery territory. The latter is transforming from physical basis – the material (resource) production factors siting – into the environment to develop human capital, innovations and providing self-development of EU region. The new postmodern reality includes postindustrial manufacturing together with network building of periphery economic area suggesting the transplantation of the institutions by means of self-organization of hybrid network clusters over the administrative boundaries which become the “growth poles”, factors of uniting and free circulation of funds in European regions. On the way towards the entry into the European Union it is necessary to generalize experience of cross-border cooperation as the previous and complementary phase of integration in regional terms. To form the complete and effective development policy of cross-border cooperation with the active participation of Ukrainian peripheral regions it is necessary to work out theoretical and methodological background of the quasi-integration of economic agents within the boundary of European regions and to justify new forms and mechanisms of its deepening with the benefit of cross-border cluster systems concept.

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Cross-border malaria control for internally displaced persons: observational results from a pilot programme in eastern Burma/Myanmar

Tropical Medicine & International Health ◽

10.1111/j.1365-3156.2009.02258.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 512-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Adam K. Richards ◽

Kristin Banek ◽

Luke C Mullany ◽

Catherine I. Lee ◽

Linda Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Internally Displaced Persons ◽

Displaced Persons ◽

Internally Displaced ◽

Pilot Programme ◽

Cross Border ◽

Border Malaria

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Resurgence risk for malaria, characterization of a recent outbreak in a Amazonian border area -French Guiana/Brazil-

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16296/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Emilie MOSNIER ◽

Isabelle Dusfour ◽

Guillaume Lacour ◽

Raphael Saldanha ◽

Amandine Guidez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

French Guiana ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Human Mobility ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Anopheles Darlingi ◽

Local Study ◽

Border Area ◽

Cross Border

Abstract Background In 2017, inhabitants along the border between French Guiana and Brazil were affected by a malaria outbreak primarily due to Plasmodium vivax ( Pv ). While malaria cases have steadily declined between 2005-2016 in this Amazonian region, a resurgence was observed in 2017. Methods Two investigations were performed according to two different spatial scales and type of information details. Firstly, a local study on the French Guiana border, which enabled a thorough investigation of the malaria cases treated at the local village health center and of the entomological situation in the most affected neighborhood and secondly a regional and cross-border study, which enabled exploration of the regional spatial-temporal epidemic dynamic. Number and location of malaria cases were estimated using French and Brazilian surveillance systems. Results On the French Guiana side of the border in Saint Georges de l’Oyapock, the attack rate was 5.5% (n=219/4000), reaching 51.4% (n=90/175) in one Amerindian neighborhood. Entomological findings suggest a peak of Anopheles darlingi density in August and September. Two female An. darlingi (n=2/1104, 0.18%) were found Pv -positive during this peak. During the same period, aggregated data from passive surveillance conducted by Brazilian and French Guianese border health centers identified 1,566 cases of Pv infection. Temporal distribution during the 2007-2018 period displayed seasonal patterns with a peak in November 2017. Four clusters were identified among the epidemic profiles of the localities of the cross-border area. All localities of the first two clusters were Brazilian. The localization of the first cluster suggests an onset of the outbreak in the Amerindian reservation, subsequently expanding to French Amerindian neighborhoods and to non-Native communities. Conclusions The current findings demonstrate a potential increase in malaria cases in an area with otherwise declining numbers. This is a transborder area where human mobility and remote populations challenge malaria control programs. This investigation illustrates the importance of international border surveillance and collaboration for malaria control, particularly in Amerindian villages and mobile populations.

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A Participatory Approach to Address Within-Country Cross-Border Malaria: The Case of Menoreh Hills in Java, Indonesia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-98599/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Riris Andono Andono Ahmad ◽

Astri Ferdiana ◽

Henry Surendra ◽

Tyrone Reden Sy ◽

Deni Herbianto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

National Level ◽

High Mobility ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Participatory Approach ◽

Network Governance ◽

Participatory Action ◽

Cross Border ◽

Border Malaria ◽

Costing Study

Abstract Background The Menoreh Hills region is one of the few remaining foci of persistent endemic malaria bordering three districts of two provinces in Java, Indonesia. Despite commitment to build a partnership to eliminate cross-border malaria, there is a lack of understanding of how this partnership might be translated into an implementable strategic plan. The study aims to provide evidence as to how a participatory approach was used to strengthen cross-border partnership and stakeholders’ capacity to develop a joint strategic, operational, and costing plan for cross-border malaria elimination.MethodsWe performed a participatory action research involving participants from village, district, provincial, and national level This study was conducted in seven phases as follows: (1) scientific literature and administrative data review, (2) focus group discussions with stakeholders at district to identify priority problems in malaria control, (3) joint consultation at district level to prioritize problems and formulate intervention, (4) costing study (5) joint consultation with national and provincial stakeholders (6) finalization of joint strategic, operational plan with costing study, and (7) dissemination to stakeholders.ResultsProblems identified by stakeholders were low community awareness and participation in malaria prevention, high mobility across three districts, lack of financial, human resources, lack of inter-district coordination, and poor implementation of migration surveillance. Cross-border strategies identified to address malaria were improving cross-border migration surveillance, strengthening the network, governance, and advocacy of malaria control implementation across borders, and development of malaria information system. A working group, composed of the three districts representatives authorized to make decisions for cross-border issues will be created.ConclusionParticipatory approach was applicable in cross-border malaria planning for within-country settings and useful in enhancing stakeholders’ capacities as implementer. While done in a participatory way, the joint plan crafted was a non-binding agreement; stakeholders should advocate to ensure adequate funds are poured to mobilize the plan.

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Resurgence risk for malaria, and the characterization of a recent outbreak in an Amazonian border area between French Guiana and Brazil

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16296/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Emilie MOSNIER ◽

Isabelle Dusfour ◽

Guillaume Lacour ◽

Raphael Saldanha ◽

Amandine Guidez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

French Guiana ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Human Mobility ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Anopheles Darlingi ◽

Local Study ◽

Border Area ◽

Cross Border

Abstract Background In 2017, inhabitants along the border between French Guiana and Brazil were affected by a malaria outbreak primarily due to Plasmodium vivax ( Pv ). While malaria cases have steadily declined between 2005-2016 in this Amazonian region, a resurgence was observed in 2017. Methods Two investigations were performed according to two different spatial scales and type of information details. Firstly, a local study on the French Guiana border, which enabled a thorough investigation of the malaria cases treated at the local village health center and of the entomological situation in the most affected neighborhood and secondly a regional and cross-border study, which enabled exploration of the regional spatial-temporal epidemic dynamic. Number and location of malaria cases were estimated using French and Brazilian surveillance systems. Results On the French Guiana side of the border in Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock, the attack rate was 5.5% (n=219/4000), reaching 51.4% (n=90/175) in one Amerindian neighborhood. Entomological findings suggest a peak of Anopheles darlingi density in August and September. Two female An. darlingi (n=2/1104, 0.18%) were found Pv -positive during this peak. During the same period, aggregated data from passive surveillance conducted by Brazilian and French Guianese border health centers identified 1,566 cases of Pv infection. Temporal distribution during the 2007-2018 period displayed seasonal patterns with a peak in November 2017. Four clusters were identified among the epidemic profiles of the localities of the cross-border area. All localities of the first two clusters were Brazilian. The localization of the first cluster suggests an onset of the outbreak in the Amerindian reservation, subsequently expanding to French Amerindian neighborhoods and to non-Native communities. Conclusions The current findings demonstrate a potential increase in malaria cases in an area with otherwise declining numbers. This is a transborder area where human mobility and remote populations challenge malaria control programs. This investigation illustrates the importance of international border surveillance and collaboration for malaria control, particularly in Amerindian villages and mobile populations.

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Contributing to Elimination of Cross-Border Malaria Through a Standardized Solution for Case Surveillance, Data Sharing, and Data Interpretation: Development of a Cross-Border Monitoring System (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.15409 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Raphael Saldanha ◽

Émilie Mosnier ◽

Christovam Barcellos ◽

Aurel Carbunar ◽

Christophe Charron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Monitoring System ◽

Malaria Control ◽

Expert Knowledge ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Heterogeneous Data ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Malaria Surveillance ◽

Cross Border ◽

Border Malaria

BACKGROUND Cross-border malaria is a significant obstacle to achieving malaria control and elimination worldwide. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to build a cross-border surveillance system that can make comparable and qualified data available to all parties involved in malaria control between French Guiana and Brazil. METHODS Data reconciliation rules based on expert knowledge were defined and applied to the heterogeneous data provided by the existing malaria surveillance systems of both countries. Visualization dashboards were designed to facilitate progressive data exploration, analysis, and interpretation. Dedicated advanced open source and robust software solutions were chosen to facilitate solution sharing and reuse. RESULTS A database gathering the harmonized data on cross-border malaria epidemiology is updated monthly with new individual malaria cases from both countries. Online dashboards permit a progressive and user-friendly visualization of raw data and epidemiological indicators, in the form of time series, maps, and data quality indexes. The monitoring system was shown to be able to identify changes in time series that are related to control actions, as well as differentiated changes according to space and to population subgroups. CONCLUSIONS This cross-border monitoring tool could help produce new scientific evidence on cross-border malaria dynamics, implementing cross-border cooperation for malaria control and elimination, and can be quickly adapted to other cross-border contexts.

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