IJCM_234A: Malaria Surveillance System Assessment in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh State, India, January - March 2023

Abstract

Background: Globally in 2021, 247 million malaria cases were reported from 84 malaria endemic countries. India is committed to eliminate malaria by year 2030. India reported >160,000 malaria cases in 2021 and 2022; 65% cases from four states-West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Orrisa and Jharkhand. Objectives: We assessed malaria surveillance system in Jashpur district to describe epidemiology of reported malaria cases, for its strengths and weaknesses and to provide evidence-based recommendations. Methodology: We analyzed surveillance data for the year 2022. We assessed timeliness and completeness attributes of the system using US CDC guidelines for evaluating the surveillance system of the five randomly selected reporting units (RUs) for January-March 2023. We reviewed surveillance data reporting portal, hospital records and interviewed key informants. We analyzed data using MS Excel and calculated frequencies and proportion Results: Jashpur reported 269 cases in 2022; 51% female, 58% among tribal community, 89% above 15 years and 90% were of plasmodium falciparum. The maximum number of cases were reported during July to November with peak in the month of August. The annual parasite index (API) per 1000 population was 0.3 for the district, however two blocks had API of >0.5. All the five RUs submitted monthly reports timely. Of the ten reporting formats reviewed, 48% critical blank fields were not filled. Conclusion: Malaria surveillance system in Jashpur detected cases largely among tribal community, identified high burden blocks with good timeliness but require improvement in complete information. We recommended district to focus preventive public health measures in high burden blocks and orient the laboratory technicians for complete data entry in line list of cases.