Abstract
Background: Malaria, transmitted by Plasmodium parasites via Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant global health threat. This retrospective study examines malaria epidemiology in Rask, Southeast Iran, from 2020 to 2023, highlighting its regional public health importance.
Methods: Blood samples from suspected malaria cases (ages: infant to 51+ years) were collected at Rask health centers. Malaria was detected definitively through blood smears and rapid tests. Demographic data, including sex and nationality, were recorded for positive cases using a standardized questionnaire. SPSS version 26 software and T-tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 3269 malaria cases were diagnosed in the studied years, and the species, gender, and other demographic factors were estimated based on the population of that year. A spike in malaria cases occurred in 2022, with a 2.49% annual incidence rate. Males over the age of 12 were primarily affected by P. vivax, making it the most commonly observed species. September had the highest number of cases recorded.
Conclusion: The results highlight the urgent need to strengthen preventative and control measures for malaria. It emphasizes the importance of targeted approaches, including improving prevention and treatment programs, strengthening healthcare systems, and developing health infrastructure. These measures should take into account climatic patterns and rainfall rates.
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Copyright
© 2024, Author(s). This open-access article is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which allows for unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.