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. 2009 Dec 17:8:300.
doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-8-300.

Evidence of decline of malaria in the general hospital of Libreville, Gabon from 2000 to 2008

Marielle Karine Bouyou-Akotet  1 , Denise Patricia Mawili-Mboumba, Eric Kendjo, Modeste Mabika-Mamfoumbi, Edgard Brice Ngoungou, Arnaud Dzeing-Ella, Mireille Pemba-Mihindou, Euloge Ibinga, Emmanuel Efame-Eya; MCRU team; Tim Planche, Peter G Kremsner, Maryvonne Kombila
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Evidence of decline of malaria in the general hospital of Libreville, Gabon from 2000 to 2008

Marielle Karine Bouyou-Akotet et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: Substantial decline in malaria transmission, morbidity and mortality has been reported in several countries where new malaria control strategies have been implemented. In Gabon, the national malaria policy changed in 2003, according to the WHO recommendations. The trend in malaria morbidity was evaluated among febrile children before and after their implementation in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon.

Methods: From August 2000 to December 2008, febrile paediatric outpatients and inpatients, under 11 years of age, were screened for malaria by microscopic examination at the Malaria Clinical Research Unit (MCRU) located in the largest public hospital in Gabon. Climatic data were also collected.

Results: In total, 28,092 febrile children were examined; those under five years always represented more than 70%. The proportion of malaria-positive slides was 45% in 2000, and declined to 15% in 2008. The median age of children with a positive blood smear increased from 24(15-48) to 41(21-72) months over the study period (p < 0.01). Rainfall patterns had no impact on the decline observed throughout the study period.

Conclusion: The decrease of malaria prevalence among febrile children during the last nine years is observed following the introduction of new strategies of malaria cases management, and may announce epidemiological changes. Moreover, preventive measures must be extended to children older than five years.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PBS: proportion of malaria positive blood smears.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age distribution of the proportion of malaria cases by year among children under 11 years (from 2000 to 2008).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Monthly distribution of the proportion of malaria positive blood smears and mean rainfall.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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