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Review
. 2025 Aug 4;53(1):105.
doi: 10.1186/s41182-025-00784-8.

Malaria and determinants of health: a scoping review of malaria vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia

Shahrul Azhar Md Hanif  1 , Mohd Rohaizat Hassan  2   3 , Nazarudin Safian  1 , Rosnah Sutan  1 , Alabed Ali A Alabed  4 , Muhammad Ridzwan Rafi'i  1 , Siti Najiha Md Asari  1 , Nurul Athirah Naserrudin  5 , Rahmat Dapari  6   7
Affiliations
Review

Malaria and determinants of health: a scoping review of malaria vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia

Shahrul Azhar Md Hanif et al. Trop Med Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria continues to pose a considerable public health challenge in Southeast Asia, necessitating control efforts that consider region-specific vulnerabilities. Although global risk factors are well-documented, the interplay of social determinants of health in shaping malaria vulnerability within SEA populations is less thoroughly explored.

Objective: This scoping review aims to determine elements influencing vulnerabilities towards malaria in SEA populations. In addition, this study seeks to explore how various social determinants of health contribute to the increased malaria vulnerabilities in this region.

Method: This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from October to November 2024, focusing on peer-reviewed, open-access quantitative studies published from 2014 to 2024. Studies that addressed the risk or vulnerability of malaria in SEA populations were included. Multiple reviewers independently conducted screening, data charting, and thematic synthesis.

Result: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing various malaria-endemic settings in SEA, including cross-border regions and migrant populations. The findings were synthesized using a social determinants of health lens, resulting in five thematic domains: biological influences, demographic and socioeconomic parameters, built and lived environments, behaviour and practices, and access to healthcare services and information.

Conclusion: The vulnerability of SEA population to malaria is multifaceted and deeply entrenched in a web of complex, interrelated factors. Effective control requires region-specific, multi-sectoral strategies that address these vulnerabilities through targeted interventions, strengthened health systems, and equitable public health policies.

Keywords: Determinant of health; Health inequities; Malaria; Risk; Vulnerabilities.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: All authors have given their consent for publication. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The PRISMA flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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