Household and individual level risk factors associated with declining malaria incidence in Meghalaya, India: implications for malaria elimination in low-endemic settings.

Background: A detailed analysis of household and individual level Plasmodium infection patterns in two low-endemic districts of Meghalaya was undertaken to better understand the epidemiology of malaria in northeast India.

Methods: Socio-demographic and behavioural information from residents (aged 1-69 years) of households were collected through pre-tested, questionnaire conducted in 2018 and 2019. Blood samples collected from participants were tested for Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium vivax infection using rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and PCR.

Spatial and temporal village-level prevalence of Plasmodium infection and associated risk factors in two districts of Meghalaya, India.

Background: Despite declining incidence over the past decade, malaria remains an important health burden in India. This study aimed to assess the village-level temporal patterns of Plasmodium infection in two districts of the north-eastern state of Meghalaya and evaluate risk factors that might explain these patterns.

Methods: Primary Health Centre passive malaria case data from 2014 to 2018 were analysed to characterize village-specific annual incidence and temporal trends.