The epidemiological indices of malaria in Kermanshah province (1996-2010)

Background:  Malaria is a major health problem in tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. According to the World Health Organization report, in the year 2011, approximately 791000 persons died due to malaria. To introduce the features of this disease in the province of Kermanshah, the registered characteristics of this disease were analyzed during 1996-2010.

Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, the data of 168 patients, based on the report forms of malaria cases, were collected from urban and rural health centers, health center of cities, and Kermanshah province health center. Data such as age, sex, place of disease, plasmodium type, transmission type, nationality and type of slide preparation were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage and one and two-dimensional tables).

Results: During 15 years, 168 malaria cases were reported in Kermanshah province with about 2 million populations. 94 (78.3%) of them were male and in 163 cases (97%) of P. vivax was the etiologic agent and P. falciparum was found in 5 other cases. Most cases were reported in 1375, 87 patients (51.8%) and most of the cases 43 (25.6%) were found in Paveh city.

Conclusion: Malaria in Kermanshah province is now limited to cases traveling to or entering the Southeast areas of Iran. Although local transmission of malaria in the country, especially in the Southeast of the country continues to be a big problem, Kermanshah province is now considered a part of country where this disease is going to be eradicated and malaria control programs are being run successfully.