Characterizing mobility patterns of forest goers in southern Lao PDR using GPS loggers

Area of Science:

• * Epidemiology
• * Public Health
• * Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Background:

• * Forest-going populations in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are at high risk for malaria.
• * National malaria control programs are targeting these populations for elimination efforts.
• * Understanding mobility patterns and trip-specific risks is crucial for achieving malaria elimination by 2030.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To characterize mobility patterns of forest-goers in southern Lao PDR.
• * To identify high-risk trips associated with increased malaria vector exposure.
• * To determine socio-demographic and behavioral predictors of engaging in high-risk trips.

Main Methods:

• * 2,904 forest-goers recruited in southern Lao PDR as part of a focal test and treat intervention (FTAT).
• * A subset carried GPS loggers for ~2 months to record location data.
• * Hierarchical clustering analyzed trip characteristics; gradient boosting trees identified predictors of high-risk trips.

Main Results:

• * 803 trips to forest/fringes were analyzed from 122 GPS logger users.
• * Six trip clusters were identified, with 48% classified as high-risk based on forest penetration and overnight stays.
• * Age, outdoor sleeping structures, and number of children were significant predictors of high-risk trip engagement.

Conclusions:

• * This study segmented forest-goer mobility patterns and their role in malaria transmission in Lao PDR.
• * Results can inform tailored interventions and messaging for high-risk groups.
• * Targeted strategies are essential for accelerating malaria elimination in the GMS.