Assessment of malaria prevalence in Boset District, East Shawa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors of malaria in Boset District using clinical records from the Boset District Health Office Central Surveillance Unit, East Shawa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. METHODS: This health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study included clinical malaria data for 5 years (2016–2020) recorded at all public and private health facilities in the district. RESULTS: The present study revealed an overall malaria slide positivity rate of 12.4% (21,059/169,986), ranging from 23.3% to 5.3% during 2016–2020 in Boset District. Malaria cases were recorded in all age groups, but individuals aged 15 years and above accounted for a higher (56.2%) average proportion of malaria cases. Concerning the relative proportion of malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum was slightly predominant (58%) over P. vivax (42%). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a declining trend in malaria cases over the 5-year study period in Boset District. Scaling up the available malaria prevention strategies and control measures is recommended to achieve malaria pre-elimination.