URBAN MALARIA IN NAZARETH, ETHIOPIA - PARASITOLOGICAL STUDIES

Cross-sectional surveys for parasite infection, and factors that possi bly influence human malaria transmission were carried out to character ize the epidemiology of urban malaria in Nazareth. Thick and thin bloo d films for parasite diagnosis were collected from individuals residin g in 6 representative kebeles in the town. A questionnaire was used to obtain socioeconomic information. An overall parasite rate of 2.8%, P . falciparum (1.6%) and P. vivax (1.2%)- was observed among the 3890 i ndividuals examined during the 4 surveys. Significant intra-urban diff erences (X(2) = 27.31; P < 0.0001), in parasite rates, were observed w ith a much higher prevalence in the peripheral kebeles. A marked seaso nal variation in parasite rates was evident during the sampling period and the peak occurred in Sept./Oct. There was no apparent decrease in parasite rate with increase in age, suggesting a delayed acquired imm unity, typical of hypoendemic settings. The study has indicated that i n Nazareth the prevalence of malaria is seasonally variable and relati vely low, showing that a is unstable. Hence, if appropriate control me asures are not instituted, malaria situation in-Nazareth is subject to epidemics.