A ten-year trend analysis of malaria prevalence at Sunyani Municipal Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Malaria remains one of the most common causes of death for populations in the tropics and subtropics, it thus poses a significant threat to public health. Even though it is treatable and preventable, the disease nevertheless has an impact on public health in Ghana. The study was aimed at determining a ten-year trend of malaria prevalence at Sunyani Municipal Hospital in the Sunyani Municipality by determining the annual trends of malaria cases, assessing malaria cases by sex and age groupings and determining seasonal spikes in malaria cases from 2013 to 2022. Methods A retrospective trend analysis of malaria cases over a ten-year period using routine health facility data at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital was conducted. Secondary data of confirmed malaria cases were extracted from DHIMS2 and were carefully examined from January 2013 to December 2022. In order to ascertain the pattern of malaria cases over the previous ten years (2013–2022), this research used a health facility-based retrospective approach. All individuals with confirmed malaria who had attended the Sunyani Municipal Hospital within the aforementioned timelines constituted the study’s target population. Results In the ten-year period, a total of 49,890 malaria cases were observed. The lowest malaria cases (1455) which represents 2.9% of the total were reordered in 2021, while the highest cases (11608) which represents 23.3% were reordered in 2013. Females had the highest infection rate 29,717 (59.5%) than males 20,203 (40.5%). With regards to the age groups, 15–34 years had the highest number of cases 17,411 (34.9%) while 5–14 years had the lowest cases 8,978 (18.0%). Malaria cases occurred in every month in the ten-year period. Infections with malaria peaked in the Wet Season (62.1%) in those years, with (37.9%) within the dry season. Conclusion The study found that there has been a steady decline in the prevalence of malaria throughout time, with a fluctuating trend. Although there is a mixed but decreased trend, the region’s confirmed malaria case rate is nevertheless concerning and indicates a substantial public health burden. Only by regularly applying pesticides and providing long-lasting insecticide nets to ensure their continued effectiveness in deterring mosquito bites.

Keywords

• Malaria
• Trends
• Insecticide treated mosquito nets
• Indoor residual spray
• Intermittent preventive treatment
• Plasmodium