The prevalence and distribution of malaria in Mpumalanga Province before and during COVID-19 (2017 - 2022)

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 114; no. 8; pp. 29 - 36
• Main Authors: Kleinhans, I, Mahanjana, S, Els, F, Mabona, M, Pitso, L A, Malatje, G, Kok, G, Raman, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South African Medical Association NPC 01-08-2024; Health & Medical Publishing Group
• Subjects: Coartem; Distribution; Drug therapy; Elimination; Imported; Malaria; P. falciparum; Pandemic; Primaquine; South Africa
• ISSN: 0256-9574; 2078-5135
• DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i8.1736

\r\nBackground\r\nSouth Africa (SA) has committed to eliminating malaria by 2028. However, the initial target was set for 2023. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of drug and insecticide resistance have been identified as potential stumbling blocks in the achievement of this goal. The impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence and distribution of malaria in SA is unclear.\r\n\r\nObjective\r\nTo describe the trends and distribution of malaria before and during the pandemic and its associated lockdown strategies in one of the country’s malaria-endemic provinces, Mpumalanga Province.\r\n\r\nMethod\r\nA descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted using Mpumalanga provincial malaria case data extracted from the provincial District Health Information System 2. The impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence and distribution of malaria was assessed in Mpumalanga Province between 2017 and 2022 using descriptive trend analysis. Malaria cases before (2017 - 2019) and post-COVID-19 (2020 - 2022) were cross-tabulated using Stata version 17. We used χ2 tests to test for significant differences, set at p26 years old, with reported international travel, primarily to Mozambique. Limpopo Province (93%) accounted for most of the locally imported cases. Headaches and fever were the most common symptoms before and post COVID-19, while asymptomatic malaria carriage was higher during and post COVID (p