Comparison of malaria morbidity before and after indoor residual spraying in Kanungu District, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains one of the most serious global health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Malaria causes more illness and death than any other single disease in Uganda. In Kanungu district, malaria accounted for 48% of burden of disease in 2005. Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is one of the most effective interventions for prevention and control of malaria. The large scale use of IRS is being introduced in Uganda and its effect on Malaria related mortality and morbidity is not yet established. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess trends in malaria morbidity following the IRS exercise in Kanungu District to generate information as a basis for future interventions. Methods: A before and after IRS with a control study was done in Kanungu District. It utilized qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The study populations were medical records of residents of Kanungu who sought health care at government and NGO health facilities in 2006 and 2007, health unit in-charges, District malaria focal person and the HMIS staff at the district health office. Results: The results from this study indicated there was malaria reduction in both absolute numbers and percentages in the months in which one would have expected a high number of malaria cases after IRS compared to the period before in Kanungu district. There was a reduction in the proportion of blood slides read as positive in the six months immediately after IRS. Conclusions: Malaria morbidity showed a decline following indoor spraying with ICON TM.