MALAARIA LEVIMINE JA ENNETAMINE: KIRJANDUSE ÜLEVAADE SÕJAVÄELASTELE
Spread and prevention of malaria: overview of the literature for military staff Riho Rikanson, Helin Eelsalu MPH
Abstract The objective of this diploma study was to describe on the basis of professional literature the necessary information about malaria and malaria prevention for military staff. The following research tasks arise from the objective: 1. To describe the information necessary for military staff about malaria risks and the spread of malaria in the army. 2. To describe the information about malaria prevention and measures. 3. To describe the information about the attitudes that aggravate malaria prevention. This study is a theoretical overview of the relevant thematic literature. For the purposes of this study one article in Estonian, 19 articles in English were used, and 19 of these were peer-reviewed. Also one English and one Estonian handbook were used. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: malaria spreads by mosquitoes and just one bite is sufficient to be infected. If the treatment starts immediately the infected person will remain disabled from four to ten days; returned home after the mission the military personnel will remain infectious. The use of insecticides and impregnated bednets is necessary; combat uniform should cover the maximum of the skin surface. Chemoprophylaxis must be used as prescribed in treatment guidelines; it is possible to be infected by malaria despite chemoprophylaxis. The main goal for chemoprophylaxis is to prevent deaths by malaria. In consulting it is necessary to pay more attention to the 313
