A five years malaria surveillance data analysis of North Shewa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia: July 2018 to June 2023

TL;DR

This study analyzed five years of malaria data in Ethiopia's North Shewa zone to understand trends and inform control efforts.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed 5-year analysis of malaria incidence and seasonal patterns in a specific Ethiopian region.

Findings

Malaria confirmed in 11.03% of 434,110 suspected cases over five years.

Peak malaria cases occurred during Epi weeks 37–49 and 22–30 annually.

Malaria affected individuals aged 15+ and most districts except Angolela.

Abstract

Malaria is a critical public health concern in Ethiopia, with significant socioeconomic consequences. Malaria data trend analysis is essential for understanding transmission patterns and adopting evidence-based malaria control measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the 5 year distribution of malaria in North Shewa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, in 2023.

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to analyse the 5 year trend of malaria surveillance data in the North Shewa zone of the Amhara regional, Ethiopia, spanning from July 2018 to June 2023. The malaria indicator data were gathered from the zone’s public health emergency management database. Malaria data from the previous 5 years was collected, compiled, processed, and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2019.

Among a total of 434,110 suspected cases 47,889 (11.03%) cases were confirmed as malaria, with an average annual malaria incidence rate of 4.4 per 1000 population in the Zone. Malaria cases exhibited an increase from Epidemiological Week (Epi week) 37 to Epi week 49 (September to November) and again from Epi week 22 to week 30 (May to July). Individuals aged 15 and above, and all districts in the Zone except Angolela were notably affected by malaria.

Despite implementing various measures to reduce malaria incidence, the disease continues to persist in the zone. Therefore, the Zone Health Department should intensify its preventive and control efforts.

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