Population hemoglobin mean and anemia prevalence in Papua New Guinea: New metrics for defining malaria endemicity?

Abstract

Background: The hypothesis is that hemoglobin-based metrics are useful tools for estimating malaria endemicity and for monitoring malaria control strategies. The aim of this study is to compare population hemoglobin mean and anemia prevalence to established indicators of malaria endemicity, including parasite rates, rates of enlarged spleens in children, and records of (presumptive) malaria diagnosis among populations living with different levels of malaria transmission. Methodology/Principal Findings: Convenience sample, multisite cross-sectional household surveys conducted in Papua New Guinea. Correlations (r2) between population Hb mean and anemia prevalence and altitude, parasite rate, a..