Decreasing malaria transmission in Mojo Health Center, Ethiopia: Shifting burden of the disease and its implication for malaria elimination

Abstract IntroductionMalaria 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. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the trend prevalence of malaria in Mojo health center, East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in Mojo health center, East Shoa zone, Ethiopia from February to March, 2021. Malaria cases and related data reported between 2016 and2020 were carefully reviewed from laboratory registration logbooks. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 25 software.ResultsA 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%). Higher malaria cases were observed from the age group 15–24 years followed by the age group of 25–34. Malaria cases were at a peak level from September-November and lowest from December-February.ConclusionDespite 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.