Evaluation of malaria morbidity trends in the complex humanitarian settings in north western Tanzania

The excess mortalities and morbidities resulting from disease outbreaks which occur in complex humanitarian situations can be prevented through timely and effective preparedness and response planning. The aim of this study was to evaluate malaria morbidity trends in the complex humanitarian emergencies in North Western Tanzania in the past 8 years and the associated factors. The health facility records were reviewed to collect information on the number of confirmed malaria cases in the past 8 years from the refugee populations obtained from the health information system for the camp-based population. Total of 749 refugee camp residents were interviewed to collect information on malaria illness episodes and the associated factors. Malaria morbidity show both seasonal trends associated with temperature and rain variations and non-seasonal irregular fluctuations associated with epidemics, refugee population dynamics and global climatological events. Rainfall leads malaria morbidity by a time lag of 1 month whereas refugee population size leads malaria morbidity by a time lag of 3 months. Recurrent financial costs for managing uncomplicated malaria cases are on the increase despite efforts to subsidize the malaria treatment commodities. This increasing financial costs from the supply side is significantly associated with increasing malaria illness episodes (pvalue