Some epidemiological characteristics of malaria foci in the context of progressing towards malaria elimination in Krong Pa district, Gia Lai province, 2020 – 2023

Abstract

This study aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of malaria foci in Krong Pa District, Gia Lai Province, 2020 - 2023. A cross-sectional study was employed to describe all malaria foci. The result showed that among the 77 identified malaria foci in Krong Pa District, the number of active foci has gradually decreased over the years. In 2020, there were 44 active foci (57.14%), which reduced to 5 active foci (6.49%) in 2023. Some foci exhibited continuous fluctuations, with 7.36% of malaria foci changing from residual non-active foci to active foci. Malaria foci in the Krong Pa district are mainly indigenous cases and demonstrated a decreasing trend over the years. Malaria cases are mainly with P.falciparum (80.51%), among people aged 15 years and older (75.10%), in the Gia Rai ethnic group (93.50%), and the suspected cases are mainly in forest areas and fields (100%). Only 19.49% had a previous history of malaria infection, while 23.95% were detected through active screening, and 52.77% were diagnosed using blood smears and rapid diagnostic tests. The epidemiological analysis of malaria foci in Krong Pa District, Gia Lai Province, highlights specific target areas and high-risk population groups that require ongoing monitoring, surveillance, and intervention measures
to control localized malaria transmission. Sustaining the progress achieved in the cleared foci and advancing early malaria elimination efforts in this locality.