Abstract:
Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Over 55million population live in areas at risk of malaria transmission. Ethiopia is one of the most malaria epidemic prone countries in Africa. Objective: The general objective of this study is to assess factors associated with occurrence of malaria outbreak from September to December 2008 in focal areas of Western Oromia.
Method: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. The quantitative method used to describe malaria situation in the study areas and analytic method was used to compare three time periods in the same study area to measure the association of climate variables and intervention coverage with reports of malaria outbreak in the study areas. The study was also supplemented by three focus group discussions. Data collection was done using structured check list for the quantitative part while tap record was used for qualitative component of the study. The data was compiled from MS excel and SPSS was used for data analysis. Result: The monthly malaria reports of 2008 from September to December exceed the 85percentile threshold level in the study areas. There was significant association between Insecticide Treated Net coverage and report of malaria out break (adjusted odd ratio=0.703(0.594-0.832). Indoor Residual Spraying coverage >75% has also showed significant association with report of malaria outbreak (adjusted odd ratio= 0.006(0.0, 0.163).Regarding to climate variables, the maximum Temperature and rainfall with one month lag also showed significant association with reports of malaria outbreak at adjusted OR6.936and1.025respectively.Minimum Temperature has no association with report of malaria outbreak in this study. Conclusion and recommendation: Reduction in ITN coverage due to worn out of nets and low IRS coverage had contributed for occurrence of malaria outbreak in the presence of favorable climatic condition. Replacement distribution of ITNs and increase the house hold coverage of IRS in targeted villages needs to be an important step in the prevention of malaria outbreak.