Reduced Malaria Prevalence in School Children in Western Kenya: An Association with Present Malaria Control Approach

Abstract

Malaria control measures have improved in recent years due to intensified use of insecticide treated bed nets and change of first line malaria drug in Kenya. Few studies have evaluated the effects of these changes on overall parasitemia prevalence in population. We undertook a 10 months’ parasitological survey in school going children at low- and at high altitude villages in Western Kenya to determine parasitemia prevalence and evaluate the control measures. There was difference in malaria prevalence among villages, high altitude villages had lower prevalence compared to the low altitude village. There was a significant relationship between parasitemia prevalence and bed net use among school going children. Prevalence decreased with increase in bed net use. Compared to historical data we observed a decline in malaria prevalence both at low- and at high altitude zones in Western Kenya. These observations suggest that there has been a decline in overall malaria parasitemia prevalence in Western Kenya. And increased bed net use and change of first line drug against malaria have had a positive effect on malaria prevalence in general population.