APPLICATION OF SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY IN THE EVALUATION OF A COMMUNITY-BASED MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAM IN PALAWAN, THE PHILIPPINES

Seroepidemiology has several proven applications in malaria endemic areas. In this study, it was used to assess the effectiveness of a community-based malaria control program in the focus of malaria transmission. The first serological survey was done before the implementation of a community-based malaria control program (pre-intervention), and the second one was done after 5 years of intervention in the study area. Comparison of the distribution of the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titers showed a reduction in the high titer-responses after the intervention. Moreover, there was a statistically significant reduction in the geometric mean reciprocal titer (GMRT) after the intervention. These findings were suggestive of a reduction in malaria transmission resulting from the intervention. Results of a parallel parasitologic study revealed the same findings. Therefore, seroepidemiology, when used to complement the parasitologic measurement, is valuable in monitoring the effectiveness of malaria control measures.