Prevention of Indigenous Malaria Cases by Strengthening Migration Surveillance at Village Level in Purbalingga Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Purbalingga Regency had achieved zero indigenous malaria cases in April 2016, 3 years before the targeted deadline for elimination. Currently, the biggest threat to elimination efforts is the risk of local malaria reintroduction due to imported cases in the receptive areas. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of village level migration surveillance and identify the areas for improvement in it. We performed the study in four malaria-free focus villages in Purbalingga Regency, i.e., Pengadegan, Sidareja, Panusupan, and Rembang, from March to October 2019. A total of 108 participants were involved in the processes. Data on malaria vector species, community mobility from malaria-endemic areas, and implementation of malaria migration surveillance (MMS) were collected. We use descriptive analysis for quantitative data and thematic content for qualitative data. Socialization of migration surveillance in Pengadegan and Sidareja villages has been carried out to the wider community, whereas in Panusupan and Tunjungmuli villages, it is still limited to neighbors. Communities in Pengadegan and Sidareja villages have participated in reporting the arrivals of migrant workers, and the village malaria interpreter conducts blood tests on all migrants. Community participation in reporting migrant workers arriving in Panusupan and Tunjungmuli villages is still low. Recording of migrant data reporting has been carried out by MMS officers, but malaria checks are only carried out before Eid al-Fitr to prevent importation of malaria cases. The program needs to strengthen the community mobilization and case-finding efforts.