Epidemiological profile of malaria among various socio-demographic groups in a western district of Odisha, India.

A retrospective analysis of malaria incidence, patterns and trends in Bargarh, a western district of Odisha, India, over five consecutive years (2012 to 2016) among various socio-demographic components was established from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Bargarh, as well as from district survey reports. The increasing trend in malariometric indices such as the Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER), the Annual Parasite index (API) as well as the Total Positive Rate (TPR) reveals a better surveillance activity but an alarming situation for malaria. The trend for P. falciparum and P. vivax infection is found to be zigzagging or fluctuating for the five years in question, with the preponderance of P. falciparum infection. Malaria in Bargarh district is age-specific where there is a strong positive correlation between the age factor and malaria morbidity, but it is gender-blind. The incidence of malaria is increasing among deprived communities as well as pregnant women in the district. The community perception study reveals the knowledge level regarding cause, prevention and treatment for malaria, which is lower among deprived communities than more progressive communities. The overall epidemiological study highlights the dynamics of disease transmission among various demographic members in Bargarh district, whilst evaluating awareness of current malaria endemicity.