ASSESSMENT OF MALARIA BURDEN AND CONTROL STRATEGIES IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Malaria remains a pressing public health concern in Ethiopia, influenced by diverse factors such as climate, geography, socioeconomic conditions, and healthcare infrastructure. This study assesses the burden of malaria and the effectiveness of control strategies in Gimbie, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia, over the past decade. Data from Gimbie Adventist Hospital's records and a cross-sectional study involving 384 participants were analyzed. The retrospective analysis of hospital records revealed an overall malaria prevalence of 45.7% within the ten-year study period. Notably, malaria prevalence fluctuated, with a peak in 2011 (11.7%) and a low point in 2013 (8.5%). The high prevalence in 2011 might be attributed to decreased attention to control measures during that period. Plasmodium falciparum predominated (49.9%), followed by Plasmodium vivax (43.6%) and mixed infections (6.5%). Gender and age significantly influenced malaria prevalence, with males (65.7%) and the age group of 16-30 years (48.1%) being the most affected. Risk factors included inadequate use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), absence of window screens, and proximity to stagnant water bodies. Despite awareness of malaria transmission dynamics, knowledge alone did not correlate significantly with malaria prevalence. Only 8.5% of respondents consistently used ITNs, and 4.6% employed IRS. Most alarming was that 82.3% of respondents contracted malaria even after adopting preventive measures. This study underscores the need for sustained and comprehensive malaria control efforts, especially among young adult males, by improving access to and adherence to control interventions, enhancing public awareness, and bolstering healthcare infrastructure to achieve sustainable reductions in malaria transmission