PREVALENCE OF MALARIA TRENDS AND CONTROL PRACTICES IN MELKA BELO WOREDA, EASTERN HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Malaria is one of the major public health problems in many tropical and subtropical developing countries such as Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine malaria trends, prevalence and to assess the control practices practiced by people in Melka Belo Woreda, in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. A cross sectional survey study was carried out from April to May 2016. Health records of malaria for the last eight years (2008-2015) were obtained from Melka Belo Health Offices. A cluster random sampling technique was carried out to select representative study participants from community members. Structured and pretested questionnaires (n=404) and blood film examinations were used for data collection. All data were analyzed using Microsoft excel 2010. The overall prevalence of malaria was 12.9%. The major Plasmodium species identified in this study were P. falciparum (65.4%) and P. vivax (34.6%). The signs and symptoms resulting from malaria were; shivering 216(53.5%); fever, 80(19.8%); headache, 24(5.9%); Chills, 22(5.5%); loss of appetite, 20(4.95%); vomiting, 16(3.96%); backache, 15 (3.7%); and joint ache, 11(2.7%). On average, 93.6% of the participants had knowledge of at least one sign and symptom of malaria. The prevalence of malaria significantly associated with control and prevention method (P=0.021), educational level (P =0.021), whereas age group (P =0.243), marital status (P =0.189), occupation (P =0.083), health education (P =0.105), sign and symptoms (P =0.099) were not. Hence, a continuous health education and promotion of community education should be given to ensure individual households use insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spray correctly, adapt integrated vector control approach and continuous sanitary programs, to avoid misconception. This together with low prevalence in the current parasitological survey suggests the effectiveness of ongoing control practices in Melka Belo Woreda. The researcher recommends focusing on improving misconceptions about malaria causes, modes of transmission and clinical manifestation through health extension workers and community involvement practice as a main strategy.