The Summary Index of Malaria Surveillance (SIMS): a stable index of malaria within India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Malaria in India has been difficult to measure. Mortality and morbidity are not comprehensively reported, impeding efforts to track changes in disease burden. However, a set of blood measures has been collected regularly by the National Malaria Control Program in most districts since 1958.

Methods

Here, we use principal components analysis to combine these measures into a single index, the Summary Index of Malaria Surveillance (SIMS), and then test its temporal and geographic stability using subsets of the data.

Results

The SIMS correlates positively with all its individual components and with external measures of mortality and morbidity. It is highly consistent and stable over time (1995-2005) and regions of India. It includes measures of both vivax and fa

SUBMITTER: Cohen AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2847540 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature