Trend Analysis of Malaria Prevalence in a District of Western Ghats, Karnataka, India: A Retrospective Study
DC05-DC07
Correspondence
Dr. K Archana Rao,
No. 108, First Floor, MIG, KHB Colony, 2nd Stage, 6th Cross, Basaveshwaranagar, Bangalore-560079, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: archanaswaroop79@gmail.com
Introduction: Malaria, among vector-borne diseases, has remained a major threat to public health for decades due to its course and complications. As an endemic region, malaria poses a great threat as it can cause multi-organ failure. Despite continuous monitoring and effective implementation of control measures, India still contributes to the majority of cases in the sub-Asian region.
Aim: To estimate the prevalence of malaria, to determine the seasonality and to analyse the trend of the disease over a period.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at Chikamagalur a district in Karnataka, India, in the year 2022 over a period of six months. The study was done by collecting the data of patient details from the laboratory register. The results were analysed, positive results were calculated for disease burden by Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) and Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum).
Results: Out of 27,474 samples, 94 were found positive for malaria parasite of which P. vivax cases were 90 (95%) and 4 (5%) were P. falciparum cases. The prevalence rate was 0.34%. There was a 24% drop in malaria cases from 2019-2021 when compared to 2015-2018.
Conclusion: The present study shows decline in the number of malaria cases from 2015 to 2021. The cases showed seasonal variation with maximum cases being reported in September. As India is in the decline phase of cases, with the collective efforts of clinicians, laboratory personnel and community health workers, elimination of malaria could be a possibility.