Epidemiological features of malaria in Bushehr province, southwest of Iran.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the malaria situation in Bushehr province from 2011 to 2018. The current study is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on available data. Between 2011 and 2018, 715 malaria patients were registered in the Bushehr province. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22. Male patients made up 92.7% of the total, while female patients made up 7.3%. The age group of 20-29 years had the highest frequency of malaria patients (42.3%), while the age group of over 50 years had the lowest frequency patients (2.5%). Regarding nationality, (96.9%) of malaria patients were Afghans, (2.2%) were Pakistanis, (0.8%) were Iranians, and (0.1%) were Indians. The disease was reported to be the most prevalent in 2017 and the least common in 2013 (29.6% and 2.6%). During this time, malaria prevalence has risen and fallen. Bushehr county had the greatest malaria prevalence (42%) and was followed by Kangan county (20.1%) and Asaluyeh county (12.9%). In terms of parasites, Plasmodium vivax was responsible for (94%) of the cases, P. falciparum for (2.4%), and mixed infection (P. vivax and P. falciparum) for (3.6%). Regarding disease transmission, (93.6%) was imported, (1%) was relapse, (0.4%) was indigenous, and (1.3%) was relapse and imported. Bushehr province is at risk of transmitting malaria due to suitable climatic conditions for the reproduction of vector mosquitoes. As well, it confronts the threat of imported malaria, which has caused concern in recent years as a result of the increase of job-seeking migrants. Strategies of malaria control, basic measures in the field of timely diagnosis and rapid and complete treatment of patients, especially in foreign nationals, vectors control, and preventive approaches are required to eliminate malaria in this province.