Malaria in Addis Ababa and its environs: assessment of magnitude and distribution

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the major public health problems in Ethiopia. Frequent epidemics and its appearance in highland areas previously known to be beyond malaria transmission upper limit are becoming common in the country. Objectives: The objective of the study was to review and document the situation of malaria in Addis Ababa. Methods: Records on cases of malaria seen at outpatient departments of 20 health centers in the six administrative zones of Addis Ababa were reviewed. An epidemic report compiled relatively recently was as well used as a source of additional information. Results: Rise in the number of malaria cases treated at outpatient departments in Addis Ababa was noted from 1996 on wards. In one of the administrative Zones of Addis Ababa, Akaki and its surroundings, an outbreak of malaria was reported during 1998/9. More than three times increment of primary clinical cases of malaria was recorded during the peak of this epidemic. Conclusion: It is believed that malaria is one of the causes of morbidity congesting health services in Addis Ababa City Administration. The epidemic at the peripheral part of the City, Akaki and its environs in 1998/9 is believed to be associated with the climate change during this period. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2002;16(2):147-155]