A 7-Year Trend of Malaria at Primary Health Facilities in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Malaria is a severe parasitic disease that can progress to complications of the nervous system, respiratory distress, renal problems, metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia which can result in death in case of delay or absence of appropriate treatment. Even though health service facilities and vector control strategy in the community are implemented as control measures, variations in temperature and rainfall that can affect the life cycle of parasite are among the factors of malaria prevalence over the years. The aim of this trend analysis was to assess the prevalence and the impact of malaria over the seasons and years. Methods. A cross-sectional study using retrospective information was conducted at two health centers Gorgora and Chuahit in Dembia district. The data was collected from lab logbooks routinely diagnosed and registered for seven years. A systematic sampling technique was used by taking patient results from lab logbooks during the first ten days of every month. Data were entered directly into the EpiData Entry software version 3.1 and analysed with the SPSS software version 20. Moreover, a chi-square test with a level of significance set at less than 5% was used. Results. From a total of 11,879 clients that participated, 56.6% were males. The overall malaria prevalence in the last seven years was 21.8%, and the dominant parasite was P. falciparum which accounted for 15.6% of the participants which was threefold higher than P. vivax in the seven-year trend. Moreover, at Gorgora health center, the prevalence which was 15% at the beginning of the study (2012) rose to 33.9% and 30.5% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In the analysis of the seven years, October and September in which the prevalence of malaria was 32.6% and 27.2%, respectively, constituted the peak months. High malaria prevalence was observed in autumn (September to November) season, and the least was observed in spring (March to May) with the prevalence of (17.8%) (p≤0.001). Malaria attack showed significant variability among different age groups, and the age group 15-29 and males were the most affected (p≤0.001). Conclusion. In this study, malaria transmission remained high, which affected males more than females. Thus, appropriate season-based bed net use, health education, immediate patient treatment, and stagnant water drainage methods are needed to alleviate the problem.

A five year trend analysis of malaria prevalence in Guba district, Benishangul-Gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia: a retrospective study

“…In this particular study, the highest cases of malaria were observed during spring (September, October and November). The seasonality observed in the current study is in agreement with studies in different parts of Ethiopia [ 21 – 23 ], all of which revealed high malaria transmission periods corresponding to the months of September, October and November. In most parts of Ethiopia, the main malaria transmission season is from September to December, following the rainiest season from June to September [ 1 ].…”

“…In the present retrospective data analysis, malaria prevalence trend appeared to be non-fluctuating, in which the malaria positivity rate continued to show consistent decline in the past five years. This finding is congruent with similar studies from several malaria endemic areas of Ethiopia which reported a decrease in malaria prevalence from 2001 to 2016 [2,17,21,22]. Ethiopia has been implementing key malaria interventions, including use of insecticide treated net (ITN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), prompt diagnosis and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and environmental management in integrated manner throughout the country since 2005 [1].…”

A five year trend analysis of malaria prevalence in Guba district, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia: A retrospective study

“…In the present retrospective data analysis, malaria prevalence trend appeared to be non-uctuating, in which the malaria positivity rate continued to show consistent decline in the past ve years. This nding is congruent with similar studies from several malaria endemic areas of Ethiopia which reported a decrease in malaria prevalence from 2001 to 2016 [2,17,[21][22]. Ethiopia has been implementing key malaria interventions, including use of insecticide treated net (ITN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), prompt diagnosis and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and environmental management in integrated manner throughout the country since 2005 [1].…”

Malaria: Prevalence and related factors in children at Aba, Southeast Nigeria

“…However, the index study was conducted on children admitted generally for various conditions, thereby making the prevalence of malaria less in such a situation. Several previous reports have also documented that overwhelming majority of childhood malaria occur in children <5 years [19,20]. Results of our study are in accordance with the previous reports, wherein we found 85.1% prevalence rates in children aged <5 years.…”

“…The infant develops its own active immunity gradually and progressively from the later part of the 1 st year. However, the infant is prone to increasing attacks of malaria until about the age of 5 when the immunity develops adequately to curb significantly the prevalence and severity of malaria attacks [20]. At a young age, without the adult supervision, the child is unable to exercise self-protective measures such as moving to more secured places, away from a place of exposure to mosquito bite, despite the discomfort of the experience, wearing protective clothing, mosquito repellant creams, shut access of mosquitoes to living room, and apply insecticide treated bed nets, thereby making the child more predisposed to malaria attacks.…”