Past eight-year malaria data in Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia: trend, reporting-quality, spatiotemporal distribution, and association with socio-demographic and meteorological variables

Abstract

Background Informed decision making is underlined by all tiers in the health system. Poor data record system coupled with under- (over)-reporting of malaria cases affects the country’s malaria elimination activities. Thus, malaria data at health facilities and health offices are important particularly to monitor and evaluate the elimination progresses. This study was intended to assess overall reported malaria cases, reporting quality, spatiotemporal trends and factors associated in Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia. Methods Past 8 years retrospective data stored in 17 health centers and 5 district health offices in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia were extracted. Malaria cases data at each health center with sociodemographic information, between January 2012 and December 2019, were included. Meteorological data were obtained from the national meteorology agency of Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using Stata 13. Results A total of 485,414 suspected cases were examined for malaria during the previous 8 years at health centers. Of these suspects, 57,228 (11.79%) were confirmed malaria cases with an overall decline during the 8-year period. We noted that 3758 suspected cases and 467 confirmed malaria cases were not captured at the health offices. Based on the health centers records, the proportions of Plasmodium falciparum (49.74%) and P. vivax (47.59%) infection were nearly equivalent (p = 0.795). The former was higher at low altitudes while the latter was higher at higher altitudes. The over 15 years of age group accounted for 11.47% of confirmed malaria cases (p < 0.001). There was high spatiotemporal variation: the highest case record was during Belg (12.52%) and in Dilla town (18,150, 13.17%, p < 0.001) which is located at low altitude. Monthly rainfall and minimum temperature exhibited strong associations with confirmed malaria cases. Conclusion A notable overall decline in malaria cases was observed during the eight-year period. Both P. falciparum and P. vivax were found at equivalent endemicity level; hence control measures should continue targeting both species. The noticed under reporting, the high malaria burden in urban settings, low altitudes and Belg season need spatiotemporal consideration by the elimination program.

A Retrospective Study of Malaria Trend in Libokemkem District Over the Last Five Years: North West Ethiopia

“…This finding was consistent with findings from other investigations conducted Ethiopian. 18,19,22,26 The finding also corresponds to the monthly malaria transmission pattern reported by Ethiopia's federal ministry of health. 27 This is because high rainfall in the summer creates a perfect breeding habitat for female Anopheles mosquitos, causing malaria vector density to peak in most parts of the country from summer to autumn.…”

“…Males were 1.69 times more likely than females to contract malaria in this retrospective analysis. Other studies done in Ethiopia 18,20,26,28 revealed greater malaria cases among males in a similar fashion. Males are more likely to contract malaria due to their involvement in outdoor activities such as agricultural and pastoral activities, as well as remaining outside during exophagic mosquito biting hours.…”

“…25 But, it differs significantly from another researches conducted in Ethiopia. 17,19,20,26 According to information obtained from the Libokemkem district health office, the cause for the increase in malaria cases in 2019/ 20 is that there have been no intervention efforts such as availability of ITN for the past three years in the district. Furthermore, there may be persistence of the parasite due to drug resistance in the area.…”

Malaria Prevalence and Distribution of Plasmodium Species in Southern Region of Ethiopia

“…The results of this systematic review showed that P. falciparum and P. vivax have around 15% variation but greater variation compared to the mixed parasites. The overall estimated distribution of P. falciparum and P. vivax in the current systematic review was similar to nine of the articles included in the review [ 11 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 24 – 28 ] and contradict with other nine of the reviewed articles [ 8 , 10 , 12 , 16 , 19 , 21 – 23 , 27 ]. The variation in the prevalence of malaria might be related to the difference in the type of laboratory method used, methods of data collection, time of the study, and the difficulty of implementing the existing malaria prevention and control measures practice.…”

Malaria serosurvey among acute febrile patients come for health care seeking at the high malaria-endemic setting of North West Ethiopia

“…Conversely, our study result is higher than the findings in 11.79% in the Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia. 33 The possible reason might be due to the differences in the study population, distribution of LLIN, and microclimatic/altitudinal differences. In addition, the relative higher malaria frequency reported might be associated with on-demand-concerted efforts toward the deployment of effective malaria prevention and control strategies in the study area.…”