Targeting malaria hotspots in Myanmar: an individual-based modelling approach

Malaria is still a burden on Myanmar even though its occurrence has been reducing recently. There is a problem with available malaria drugs becoming obsolete. Current malaria control strategies are no longer enough to completely wipe out malaria. New strategies, such as targeting areas with higher than average malaria transmission, have been suggested by the World Health Organization. Targeted strategies are being used in Kayin State, Myanmar. However, detection of the areas to target have been limited because the test used is costly and complicated to perform. This could be optimised by computer simulation.

The proposed project will develop a simulation model to understand the changing nature of malaria in Myanmar’s population and derive a cost-effective strategy to identify and treat infected people at places most vulnerable to malaria in Kayin state, Myanmar. The simulation will reflect real life by including detailed attributes like demographics, risk of infection, health behaviour and response to treatment. These attributes will be synthesised using real information about the people of Myanmar. Detection methods and treatment strategies will be simulated using this information.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Master's Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.