Malaria in Indonesia: a summary of recent research into its environmental relationships

A review of the literature was carried out to evaluate malaria and its environmental relationships. Research, in 6 parts of Indonesia, addressed the relationship between malaria incidence and physical and socioeconomic environmental factors, using longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches. Physical factors, which are generally important for malaria, included rainfall, mosquito breeding and resting sites, their distance from human habitation, and elevation, though the latter was not statistically significant. Housing conditions were occasionally important. Social and economic factors of importance were income, education, use of bednets and pattern of outdoor activities, especially at night. Use of repellents, mosquito coils and sleeping arrangements were significant in some of the studies.