Decreasing Trend of Plasmodium Falciparum and Vivax Transmission in Mojo Health Center, East Shoa Oromia Region, Ethiopia: a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria continues to strike hardest against the public health and economic development in Ethiopia. Its transmission tends to be highly heterogeneous within or between years, and from area to area which need understanding of the contextual diversity of malaria prevalence within each site to deliver optimal intervention according to the site specific situation of the disease. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the trend prevalence of malaria in Mojo health center, East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Mojo health center, East Shoa zone, Ethiopia from February to March, 2021. Malaria cases and related data reported 2016-2020 were carefully reviewed from laboratory registration logbooks. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 25 software.Results: A total of 19, 106 blood films were examined from malaria suspected patients. The overall microscopically confirmed prevalence of malaria was 4.2%. P. vivax was the predominant species accounting 76.2% of positive samples. Malaria cases declined from 259 in 2016 to 77 in 2020. The proportion of malaria was higher among males (64.8%) than females (35.2%) in all five years. Higher malaria cases was observed from the age group 15-24 years old followed by the age group of 25-34. Malaria cases were at a peak level from September-November and lowest from December-February.Conclusion: Although the declining trend of malaria prevalence was observed, malaria still remains a public health burden in the area. The high burden of malaria among reproductive age group, males, and during cultivation season reflects its impact on health and economic development. Shifting of P. falciparum to P.vivax related malaria should get an attention during prevention and control strategies for the successful progress of malaria elimination programme.