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

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by public health important Plasmodium species. Despite the fact that Ethiopia has implemented several malaria prevention and control techniques aimed at reducing its morbidity and death, it continues as major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Transmission dynamics are really critical for guiding the selection of the appropriate intervention in a given area. As a result, the goal of this study was to analyze the trend of malaria prevalence over the last five years in the Addis Zemen health center. METHODS: An institutional-based retrospective analysis on malaria data from 2015/16 to 2019/20 was undertaken in Addis Zemen health center of Libokemkem district. The data collectors thoroughly and systematically collected the results of 15,452 blood films performed over a five-year period from the malaria registration book in the health center. Any data missing species and stage of the parasite, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, date, month, and year of blood film performed, were omitted from the study. Finally, data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25, with P-values of less than or equal to 0.05 deemed statistically significant variables. RESULTS: The overall malaria slide positivity rate over the last five years in the study area was 10.9%. From 2015/16 to 2018/19, the positive rate fell, then it spiked in 2019/20. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common parasite found, accounting for 72.6% of the total. The months of October, November, May, June, August, and September showed the largest number of malaria cases. Males, rural residents, and adult population groups were more affected by malaria, according to multivariate logistic regression (P ≤0.05). CONCLUSION: There was high malaria morbidity case in 2019/20 as compared to the remaining years. Therefore, malaria control, prevention, and intervention programs in the district should be strengthened.