Historical and Epidemiological study of malaria cases of the 'Refugee Hospital' in Veria in the context of Anti-Malaria Battle in Greece (1926–1940)

Objectives: This Historical Epidemiological study aims to evaluate malaria in Greek refugees during the 1926–1940 period in the region of Imathia, Central Macedonia, Greece, in the context of the Anti-Malaria Battle in Greece. Materials and methods: The archives of the Refugee Hospital of Veria, Imathia were examined (March 5, 1926 to October 27, 1940); this is a report of previously unpublished primary material comprising 15,921 cases, of whom 8,408 patients were hospitalized due to malaria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for hospitalization due to malaria; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results: Residence in lower elevation (adjusted OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.97, per increments of elevation), refugee status (from Bulgaria/Balkans, Caucasus, Constantinople and Thrace, Pontus and inland of Turkey), female gender, and younger age (adjusted OR per 10-year increase = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.86–0.90) correlated independently with hospitalization due to malaria. Conclusions: Malaria was the leading cause of admission to the hospital in the region of Imathia during the studied period. The association with elevation reflects the aggravating role of marshes before the drainage of Lake Giannitsa.