Moving towards malaria elimination: Trends and attributes of cases in Kavango region, Namibia, 2010–2014
Loading...
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Setting: Kavango, a ‘moderate’ transmission risk region
located in north-eastern Namibia, borders Angola, a
country with higher malaria transmission levels.
Objective: To determine 1) the trends in malaria incidence
between 2010 and 2014 in Kavango, 2) the socio-
demographic and clinical characteristics of confirmed
cases in 2014, and 3) associated risk factors of cases classified
as imported.
Design: This was a retrospective study of malaria case investigation
forms conducted in all 52 public health facilities
in 2014. Incidence was derived from aggregate routine
surveillance data from the Health Information System
(HIS).
Results: During the 5-year study, incidence fell from
53.6 to 3.6 cases per 1000 population, then increased
again to 47.3/1000. Fifty-five per cent of cases were
males, and 49% were aged between 5 and 17 years. Of
the 2014 cases, 23% were imported, and were associated
with higher odds of severe malaria (adjusted odds ratio
[aOR] 1.8; 95%CI 1.01–3.29), not having long-lasting insecticide
treated nets (aOR 2.1, 95%CI, 1.3–3.4) and not
receiving insecticide residual spraying (aOR 3.2, 95%CI,
2.1–5.1).
Conclusion: Sporadic outbreaks in the 5-year period
posed a threat to malaria elimination. Better targeting of
vector control interventions, strong cross-border collaboration
and robust health promotion will be key to achieving
malaria elimination.
Description
Keywords
Malaria
Citation
Nghipumbwa, M.H., Ade, S., Kizito, W., et al. (2018). Moving towards malaria elimination: trends and attributes of cases in Kavango region, Namibia, 2010–2014. Public Health Action, 8(1), 18-23.