Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021
Introduction: Despite the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in Tamale Metropolis, the malaria burden started increasing in 2021. We described the distribution and trends of malaria cases; and evaluated SMC and ITN coverages among children unde...
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://afenet-journal.org/trends-and-distribution-of-malaria-among-children-under-five-in-tamale-metropolis-in-ghana-amidst-interventions-analysis-of-surveillance-and-program-data-2017-2021/ |
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| author | Shahadu Shembla Sayibu Basil Benduri Kaburi Dora Dadzie Delia Bandoh Isaac Baffoe-Nyarko Charles Lwanga Noora Abdul Gafaru Mohammed Francis Genye Salifu Peter Apetorgbor Paul Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu Ernest Kenu |
| author_facet | Shahadu Shembla Sayibu Basil Benduri Kaburi Dora Dadzie Delia Bandoh Isaac Baffoe-Nyarko Charles Lwanga Noora Abdul Gafaru Mohammed Francis Genye Salifu Peter Apetorgbor Paul Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu Ernest Kenu |
| author_sort | Shahadu Shembla Sayibu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Despite the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in Tamale Metropolis, the malaria burden started increasing in 2021. We described the distribution and trends of malaria cases; and evaluated SMC and ITN coverages among children under five years (under-5).
Methods: Data sources were District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS II) at Tamale Metropolis from 2017 – 2021, Ghana Malaria Control Program reports, Ghana Expanded Program on Immunization and the Ghana Statistical Services. Variables included: under-5 malaria cases (tested or not tested) and deaths; ITN distributed to under-5s; and SMC doses distributed. We computed percentages, constructed CUSUM-2 thresholds for trend analysis. SMC and ITN coverages were extracted from the DHIMS II as pre-populated indicators (i.e., children under-5 who got an ITN at measles-2 vaccination, and those who received SMC per cycle). We compared findings with WHO targets.
Results: Total malaria cases among children under five years were 50,379. Children 1-4years old accounted for 74.8% (37697/50379). Presumptively-treated cases were 79.28% (13694/17272) in 2017, 54.4% (9586/17626) in 2018, 48.5% (6294/12976) in 2019, 2.1% (144/6742) in 2020 and 10.33% (875/8471) in 2021. Total malaria cases decreased from 2,300 in January 2017 to 300 mid-period, rising to 1000 from July 2020; seasonal (July-November) peaks followed similar trends. Mean ITN coverage was 50.8%, while SMC cycle coverages were all below 90%.
Conclusion: While malaria cases resurged in 2021, case fatality rates increased throughout the period. Presumptive treatment rates decreased, though, still above WHO target. This inflated neonatal malaria cases. SMC and ITN coverages were poor, suggesting why malaria cases increased. Findings informed facilitation of health workers’ discussion forum on adherence to the WHO’s Test, Treat and Track strategy and boosting of ITN and SMC coverage, as well as audit into cases and deaths. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66d08e032b4141a095103fbb987fafda |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-66d08e032b4141a095103fbb987fafda2025-08-20T03:10:25ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242025-04-0182https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph.supp.2025.8.2.12.11Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021Shahadu Shembla Sayibu0Basil Benduri Kaburi1Dora Dadzie2Delia Bandoh3Isaac Baffoe-Nyarko4Charles Lwanga Noora5Abdul Gafaru Mohammed6Francis Genye Salifu7Peter Apetorgbor8Paul Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu9Ernest Kenu10Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, Ghana; Tamale Metropolitan Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaTamale Metropolitan Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, GhanaTamale Metropolitan Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, GhanaTamale Metropolitan Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, GhanaIntroduction: Despite the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in Tamale Metropolis, the malaria burden started increasing in 2021. We described the distribution and trends of malaria cases; and evaluated SMC and ITN coverages among children under five years (under-5). Methods: Data sources were District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS II) at Tamale Metropolis from 2017 – 2021, Ghana Malaria Control Program reports, Ghana Expanded Program on Immunization and the Ghana Statistical Services. Variables included: under-5 malaria cases (tested or not tested) and deaths; ITN distributed to under-5s; and SMC doses distributed. We computed percentages, constructed CUSUM-2 thresholds for trend analysis. SMC and ITN coverages were extracted from the DHIMS II as pre-populated indicators (i.e., children under-5 who got an ITN at measles-2 vaccination, and those who received SMC per cycle). We compared findings with WHO targets. Results: Total malaria cases among children under five years were 50,379. Children 1-4years old accounted for 74.8% (37697/50379). Presumptively-treated cases were 79.28% (13694/17272) in 2017, 54.4% (9586/17626) in 2018, 48.5% (6294/12976) in 2019, 2.1% (144/6742) in 2020 and 10.33% (875/8471) in 2021. Total malaria cases decreased from 2,300 in January 2017 to 300 mid-period, rising to 1000 from July 2020; seasonal (July-November) peaks followed similar trends. Mean ITN coverage was 50.8%, while SMC cycle coverages were all below 90%. Conclusion: While malaria cases resurged in 2021, case fatality rates increased throughout the period. Presumptive treatment rates decreased, though, still above WHO target. This inflated neonatal malaria cases. SMC and ITN coverages were poor, suggesting why malaria cases increased. Findings informed facilitation of health workers’ discussion forum on adherence to the WHO’s Test, Treat and Track strategy and boosting of ITN and SMC coverage, as well as audit into cases and deaths.https://afenet-journal.org/trends-and-distribution-of-malaria-among-children-under-five-in-tamale-metropolis-in-ghana-amidst-interventions-analysis-of-surveillance-and-program-data-2017-2021/surveillancedata analysismalaria control interventionsseasonal malaria chemoprevention (smc)insecticidal nets (itn) |
| spellingShingle | Shahadu Shembla Sayibu Basil Benduri Kaburi Dora Dadzie Delia Bandoh Isaac Baffoe-Nyarko Charles Lwanga Noora Abdul Gafaru Mohammed Francis Genye Salifu Peter Apetorgbor Paul Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu Ernest Kenu Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health surveillance data analysis malaria control interventions seasonal malaria chemoprevention (smc) insecticidal nets (itn) |
| title | Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 |
| title_full | Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 |
| title_fullStr | Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 |
| title_short | Trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana, amidst interventions: Analysis of surveillance and program data, 2017 -2021 |
| title_sort | trends and distribution of malaria among children under five in tamale metropolis in ghana amidst interventions analysis of surveillance and program data 2017 2021 |
| topic | surveillance data analysis malaria control interventions seasonal malaria chemoprevention (smc) insecticidal nets (itn) |
| url | https://afenet-journal.org/trends-and-distribution-of-malaria-among-children-under-five-in-tamale-metropolis-in-ghana-amidst-interventions-analysis-of-surveillance-and-program-data-2017-2021/ |
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