Malaria in Ethiopia - communicable disease in LIDC

what is the incidence and patterns of malaria in Ethiopia?

• endemic for 75% Ethiopia

• kills 70,000 annually

• high rates in lowland, eg Gambella province, central highlands are malaria-free

• peak transmissions after rainy season November

what are the environmental and human causes of malaria?

• endemic in lowlands due to high temps + humidity throughout year, fast completion of mosquito life cycle

• population movements, urbanisation, irrigation schemes encourages transmission

• harvesting after sunset when mosquitoes most active, migrant workers sleeping in the fields

• garbage dumps, flood excavations provide breeding sites

• malarial parasites becoming drug-resistant

what are the socio-economic impacts?

• kill 70,000 a year - less people working, slowing economic growth and reinforcing poverty

• malaria absorbs 40% of national health expenditures, 10% hospital admissions

• food security - lowland are resource rich for agriculture but malaria prevents, highlands over exploited

what are strategies to control and treat malaria?

• drugs can treat and prevent but have psychological and physical side effects, excessive use can be toxic

• malarial parasite is becoming resistant

• National Malaria Strategic Plan - mosquito nets, spraying, larval source reduction, in like with WHO