Trend Analysis of Malaria Prevalence Among Patients Attended Ambo Town Health Centers, West Shoa, Ethiopia: A Four Years Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria is still one of the leading causes of human morbidity and mortality worldwide, with serious medical, economic, and social consequences. Regarding malaria prevalence, numerous studies have been done in different parts of Ethiopia. However, there is a lack of information in Ambo town. Thus, this study aimed to assess the 4-year trend of malaria prevalence in Ambo town, West Shoa, Ethiopia. Methods: A four-year (2020-2023) retrospective review of the laboratory registration book was performed at the Ambo and Awaro health centers in Ambo town from 1 to 30 September 2024. The collected data included the year and month of examination, age, sex, and laboratory results of the blood smears, including the identified Plasmodiumspecies. Data were collected using KoboToolbox and analyzed using SPSS. Data were summarized and displayed through tables and figures to present the results. Logistic regression was used to see the association. Results: Over four years, 2665 blood smears were analyzed at Ambo and Awaro health centers. Of the total blood smears analyzed, 285 (10.7%) were microscopically confirmed as Plasmodium species. Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, and mixed infections (comprising Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) accounted for 5.7%, 4.1%, and 0.9% of the cases, respectively. The highest malaria prevalence was recorded from September to November. Seasonal variation was statistically significant (autumn [AOR = 1.704 (95% CI: 1.181 - 2.458, P 0 .004] and summer [AOR = 1.693 (95% CI: 1.166 - 2.457, P 0.006]) with malaria prevalence. Malaria prevalence was substantially higher among those aged ≥15 years ([AOR = 4.172 (95% CI: 1.312 - 13.27, P= 0.016]). Malaria prevalence was not statistically significant with gender ([AOR = 1.109 (95% CI: 0.867-1.418, P= 0.409]), although a higher rate among males. Conclusion: Plasmodium vivax was the dominant Plasmodium species in the area. Malaria prevalence was substantially greater among those aged ≥15 years. Malaria cases increased in 2021 and then remained stable in 2022, before increasing sharply in 2023. Furthermore, this study found that malaria cases were reported throughout the year, with the highest prevalence observed between September and November. Malaria prevalence showed no significant difference by sex. So, enhancing malaria control actions is critical in reducing the malaria burden to achieve the nation’s malaria elimination goal by 2030.