Compiled Body of Work in Field Epidemiology
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Date
2023-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Ninety-Four per cent (94%) of malaria morbidity and mortality cases are attributed to the African region. Ethiopia is among ten African countries contributing to these cases. 60% of the Ethiopian population lives in malaria-risk areas with different levels of malaria risk. Although the country has made significant progress towards malaria elimination, seasonal outbreaks persistently resurface, including in previously non-malarious areas where people had low immunity. Abobo woreda is an epidemic-prone high-transmission area with stable transmission. However, the district experienced a malaria outbreak starting in the 21st Epi week of 2022, which prompted the investigation.
Methods-We did a descriptive study, followed by two case-control studies with randomly chosen cases (86) and community controls (172).The malaria cases were confirmed with RDT or microscopy, and the controls had no symptoms during the outbreak. We collected data through a questionnaire given by an interviewer, entered it into Epi-info version-7, and analyzed it with SPSS version 20. We did bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to find out what factors caused malaria.
Result: Between the 21st and 36th Epi weeks of 2022, 198 cases of malaria were reported, with no deaths. With a mean age of 22 (12.31 SD) years, the overall attack rate was 20.2/1000. The two most common species were Plasmodium vivax (PF) 71 (8%) and Plasmodium falciparum (PF) 755. Breeding location close to the house (AOR = 4.28; 95% CI: 1.8–10.27), sleeping outside (AOR = 3.94; 95% CI: 2.18–7.37), and a residence with open eaves (AOR = 3.82; 95% CI: 1.97–7.93) were all independent risk variables. Regular use of ITNS (AOR=0.195; 95%CI: 0.068–0.56), IRS-sprayed homes (AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.22-0.80), awareness of malaria transmission (AOR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.28–0.93), and preventative and control measures (AOR=0.50; 95%CI: 0.27–0.93) were protective measures.
Conclusion and recommendation: Risk factors included sleeping outside, being close to a breading site, and having an open ceiling. However, taking preventative steps like utilizing ITNS, having your house sprayed with IRS, and being knowledgeable about prevention and transmission were all necessary. Regular environmental monitoring, a strengthened surveillance system, communication about behavioral change, ensuring sustainable use of profiled in chapter six's health section. Information on health and health-related topics that can be used for evidence-based planning and efficient use of scarce resources was offered. These data can be used to identify risk factors and prioritize public health problems for appropriate interventions. Chapter seven contains the Manuscript of the SAM Data analysis of the Somali region and the abstract of the health profile of Shebedino woreda, Sidama zone, Sept- 2021. Chapter Eight contains the epi-project proposal. The Epi-project proposal was developed to investigate the malaria outbreak and identify the risk factors that contributed to the outbreak in Abobo district, Agnuak zone, and Gambella. A descriptive epidemiology, supplemented by an unmatched case-control study, was conducted in Abobo woreda, from September 9–17, 2022.
Chapter 9 includes six additional output types that were included in the CBOW: IDPs narrative presentation, Descriptive epidemiology of skin infection, COVID-19 backlogged data generation, Somali Region Afder Zone Drought Response narrative summary, and Dengue Fever response in Afar.
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Keywords
Abobo Woreda, Gambella, Malaria, Outbreak Investigation.