Modeling the spatial and temporal malaria transmission dynamics in South-west Ethiopia

Despite significant progress in the struggle against malaria in Ethiopia, malaria remains the most important vector-borne disease in the country. The two main malaria parasite species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, account for virtually all cases reported in the country. Understanding the patterns and dynamics of species-specific malaria transmission is required for optimizing control measures. A two-year longitudinal cohort study was conducted in children under ten years old to examine the impact of Gilgel-Gibe hydroelectric power dam on malaria transmission. The main findings of the study are: i) household distance to the dam was not associated with malaria incidence, but different species-specific patterns of malaria disease in children were observed; ii) P. falciparum incidence hotspots were more stable across space and time than those of P. vivax; iii) a limited use of LLINs in study villages was observed, mainly explained by insufficient availability of LLINs.(SP - Sciences de la santé publique) -- UCL, 201