Comparison of deforestation and forest land use factors for malaria elimination in Myanmar

OBJECTIVES: Within the remote region of Ann Township in Myanmar's Rakhine State, malaria prevalence has remained steady at ∼10% of the population from 2016-2019. Previous studies have linked areas of higher malaria prevalence in the region to heavily forested areas, however, little is known about how people live, work, and move through these areas. This work aims to disentangle landscape from land use in regard to malaria exposure. METHODS: We investigated the roles of forest cover, forest loss, and land use activities with malaria prevalence through the combined use of land use surveys, malaria surveillance, and satellite earth observations. RESULTS: Our results confirm previous research that linked areas of high forest cover with high malaria prevalence. However, areas experiencing high levels of deforestation were not associated with malaria prevalence. The land use factors that contribute most significantly to increased malaria risk remained those which put people in direct contact with forests, including conducting forest chores, having an outdoor job, and having a primary occupation in the logging and/or plantation industry. CONCLUSION: Malaria prevention methods in Myanmar should focus on anyone who lives near forests or engages in land use activities that bring them within proximity of forested landscapes, whether through occupation or chores.