Trend analysis of malaria prevalence in Arsi Negelle health center, Southern Ethiopia

Malaria is an issue in Ethiopia of which there is still no “Magic bullet”, no quick or easy solution, apart from extensive progress in its control over the past years. Analysis of documents on malaria data from health care system is essentially important to assess achievement or failure of malaria control programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the five year trend of malaria prevalence in the southern Ethiopia. A retrospective record review was conducted in southern Ethiopia. All malaria cases reported from January, 2009 to December, 2013 were carefully reviewed and analyzed. Information about laboratory results and Socio demographic futures were collected from patient’s registration book. A total of 22,025 malaria suspected patients gave blood films for malaria diagnosis in the past five years at Arsi Negelle health center. 2521 (11.45%) microscopically confirmed malaria cases were reported with a fluctuating trend. Among the identified plasmodium species, Plasmodium vivax accounted 74%, Plasmodium flciparum was 19.8% and mixed infection was 6.2%. Children in the age range 0 to 5 years were the most affected by the disease (22.8%), followed by 16 to 20 age groups (17.8%), which necessitate suitable consideration in the effort of malaria control. Despite the apparent fluctuation of malaria trends in the area, the highest peak of malaria cases was reported during spring seasons. In conclusion, children under five years, who were more affected by the disease, imply presumed exposure, therefore attention should be given to children under five years of age. The rate of malaria was moderate even though it is not as satisfactory as to malaria control strategy of the country. This might be due to the likely P. vivax drug resistance to chloroquine. In support of this, health planners need further strong malaria control and assessment of drug resistance.   Key words: Southern Ethiopia, health service, malaria trend, malaria prevalence.