Spatial analysis of breeding places of Anopheles spp. in a malaria endemic area, Ngombol Subdistrict, Purworejo Regency, Central Java

Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Disease, Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Purworejo Regency, Central Java, remains an endemic malaria area in the elimination phase, with an Annual Parasite Incidence (API) exceeding the RPJMN 2018–2023 target of 0.07 per 1,000 at-risk population. The region's varied topography comprising coastal zones, lowlands, and hills supports diverse breeding habitats for Anopheles spp., increasing malaria transmission risk. This descriptive observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from May 2024 to March 2025 in the working area of the Ngombol Health Center. Ten villages were selected using proportional cluster sampling to identify potential Anopheles breeding sites. Field surveys were conducted, and data were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study found swamps, rice fields, ponds, lagoons, and ditches as positive breeding habitats for Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles vagus, and Anopheles barbirostris. Environmental characteristics of these sites included temperatures of 28.2–31.3°C, humidity levels of 60–80%, pH values of 7.22–8.56, and altitudes between 4–13 meters above sea level. Buffer analysis revealed that breeding places within 1 KM of the coast, 500–1000 meters from rivers, and 200–500 meters from residential areas showed high larval densities. These findings underscore the importance of spatial mapping-based vector control strategies to reduce malaria transmission risk.