Abstract
Malaria remains a major public health problem in Africa, and its prevalence in Cameroon stands at 29%. Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) were distributed in 2011 to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity; however, assessment of this intervention is scanty. The present study in the Tombel health district (THD) investigated the impact of this distribution on malaria prevalence. A total of 31,657 hospital records from 3 health facilities in 3 health areas for 2010–2013 were examined. Records for 2010 and 2011 provided predistribution baseline data, while those of 2012 and 2013 represented postdistribution data. 8,679 (27.4%) patients were positive for malaria. Children below 5 years had the highest prevalence (40.7%). The number of confirmed cases was highest from June to August (peak rainy season). Malaria prevalence was higher in males (25.3%) than in females (23.2%). Malaria prevalence increased in THD from 26.7% in 2010 to 30.7% in 2011 but dropped to 22.7% in 2012 and then increased in 2013 to 29.5%. There was an overall drop in the total number of confirmed malaria cases in 2012; this decrease was significant in Ebonji (p < 0.001) and Nyasoso (p < 0.015) health areas. The distribution of LLINs led to a short lived reduction in malaria prevalence in THD. LLIN distribution and other control activities should be reinforced to keep malaria prevalence low especially among the 0–5-year group.
Highlights
Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans by the female Anopheles mosquito [1]
The present study has revealed malaria prevalence of 27.4% during the study period 2010–2013 in the Tombel health district (THD)
We can say that hospital records can be a good source of data for predicting malaria prevalence
Summary
Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans by the female Anopheles mosquito [1]. It remains a major public health problem, in Africa where over 90% of cases are recorded [2]. It is estimated that 214 million new cases and 438 000 deaths occur worldwide yearly Most of those who die from malaria are children under the age of 5, and most of these children live in Sub-Saharan Africa [3]. Despite the efforts to combat malaria through vector control and treatment using antimalarial drugs, malaria remains a major problem in Sub-Saharan Africa primarily due to drug and insecticide resistance and socioeconomic underdevelopment. The Roll Back Malaria Strategy recommends a combination of interventions for malaria control
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