Economic analysis of implementation of some control strategies for rural and urban malaria in Tumaco (Colombia)

In this paper, we present the results of the analysis of an optimal control problem to malaria transmission in human and mosquito populations in Tumaco (Narino), considering vector and vertical transmission (pregnant-fetus). For human population the model is type SEIR (Susceptible Exposed-Infected-Recovered) and for mosquito population is type SI (Susceptible-Infected). The control variables considered are: indoor fumigation, use of mosquito nets, prophylactic treatment during pregnancy and antimalarial treatment. These control variables were chosen from the proposals made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank in 1998, through the Roll Back Malaria Global Partnership. With the control variables, two different control strategies are implemented: in the first, prophylactic treatment is provided during pregnancy as well as antimalarial treatment; in the second, the four control variables are applied simultaneously. The numerical simulations of the optimal control problem were carried out using data from literature consulted and from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) in the pacific region of Narilio, during 2000-2001, period which registered an accelerated growth of cases of malaria in this municipality. The results suggest that to rural areas of Tumaco the most effective and least expensive strategy to control malaria is the implementation of the four variables of control simultaneously; while to urban zone of Tumaco the supply of prophylactic treatments in pregnancy and antimalarial are the best option.