Malaria incidence in Zambia, 2013 to 2015: Observations from the health management information system.

Abstract

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Zambia, particularly in highly endemic areas and among pregnant women and children under 5 years. In 2014, 5.8 million cases were reported through the National Health Management Information System (HMIS). Current trends in malaria incidence where assessed in order to assist policy makers in decision-making around malaria prevention and treatment priorities.National and provincial data on malaria cases was extracted (clinical and laboratory-confirmed) reported in HMIS from 2013-2015. Calculated, was the overall and age group-specific (under 5 years and 5 years old and above) malaria incidence using extrapolated census data, and calculated the proportion of cases that were laboratory-confirmed by rapid diagnostic test or microscopy. National malaria incidence was 386/1000 persons in 2013, 409/1000 in 2014, and 335/1000 in 2015. North-western Province recorded highest total incidence, ranging from 867/1000 in 2013 to 847/1000 in 2015. In 2013, 51% of cases were laboratory-confirmed; however, this increased to 80% of malaria cases by 2015. The incidence of laboratory-confirmed malaria among