Hidden burden of malaria in pregnancy in hard-to-reach areas of Odisha, India: challenges to elimination and the case for integrating molecular surveillance
Frontiers in Public Health·
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1862569
- PMID
- —
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7203678509
- Study type
- Cross-sectional study
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
Undetected parasitic carriage among expectant mothers complicates regional disease eradication initiatives. Integrating advanced diagnostic capabilities into routine antenatal monitoring could improve intervention targeting and support national health objectives.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
What characterizes the prevalence and distribution of parasitic infections among expectant mothers in remote Indian districts, and which demographic or environmental variables correlate with these outcomes?
Study design
Researchers implemented repeated cross-sectional community assessments across multiple years. Diagnostic protocols combined rapid antigen screening, microscopic evaluation, and genetic amplification techniques. Multivariable modeling evaluated correlations between infection status and participant characteristics.
Population and setting
The sample comprised 861 expectant mothers residing in underserved, endemic districts of Odisha, India. Data collection occurred during three distinct survey periods spanning recent years.
Main findings
Overall parasitic carriage reached thirty-three percent, displaying notable variation across survey years. Most confirmed cases presented without clinical symptoms, and a large majority harbored low-density infections requiring genetic detection. Seasonal transmission peaks strongly correlated with infection likelihood, while vector control measures showed inverse associations, and diagnosed infections did not independently predict reduced hemoglobin levels after statistical adjustment.
Public-health relevance
Undetected parasitic carriage among expectant mothers complicates regional disease eradication initiatives. Integrating advanced diagnostic capabilities into routine antenatal monitoring could improve intervention targeting and support national health objectives.
Important limitations
The cross-sectional methodology restricts the ability to determine temporal sequences between exposures and outcomes. Community-based sampling may not fully represent populations with limited geographic mobility or healthcare engagement.
GIDS interpretation
This report outlines localized parasitic carriage patterns and diagnostic gaps within a defined geographic area. The documented metrics establish historical context for regional transmission ecology and surveillance infrastructure without validating current operational signals.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 9 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.