Spatial assessment of malaria elimination programs in Sub-Sharan Africa: A case of Ghana.

Keywords: Malaria, Sub-Saharan Africa, Spatial, Temporal analysis, Ghana
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Global reports indicate that between 2000 and 2019, case incidence in the World Health Organization African Region reduced from 368 to 222 per 1000 population at risk, but increased to 232 in 2020, mainly because of disruptions to services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaria disease in Ghana is a public health concern despite international and government’s efforts to combat the prevalence and support elimination programs. Ghana is a beneficiary of the United State President’s Malaria Initiative Strategy (phase I: 2005-2014; phase II- 2015-2020; phase III 2021 – 2026) with core strategic focus on ending malaria faster. Institutions in Ghana are partnering with international agencies to combat the disease. The study examined the past and recent efforts to combat and eliminate the disease in Sub-Saharan Africa with Ghana in focus. We used time series analyses to assess elimination programs and conducted spatial assessment of the disease prevalence. The study revealed that malaria prevalence is still a concern with COVID-19 pandemic and countries in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing increase in cases. The study results suggest that synthesizing data on malaria disease may be an effective strategy for monitoring, evaluating, and eliminating malaria risk across different geographic scales. Furthermore, the study highlights the efforts of global agencies and programs to eliminate the disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.