Malaria N° 9 - Subject N° 1

INSIGHT INTO THE AFRICAN ANTIMALARIAL PROGRAMME DURING THE PERIOD 1996-1997
Y. Kassankogno

SUMMARY
THE BURDEN OF MALARIA IN AFRICA:

During the period 1996 - 1997, malaria continued to be one of the most serious public health problems in Africa with approximately 78% of the population living in regions where the disease is endemic, 74% in highly endemic regions and only 7% in non-endemic regions or where there is only a slight risk of contracting malaria. Malaria remains responsible for approximately 30-50% of cases of fever. Between 7.5 and 2.7 million people die each year from malaria. The extent of proportional morbidity usually varies between 77% and 30% and can reach 60% in station posts and health centres. Mortality rates in severe forms of disease vary from 10 to 40%.

In 1996 and 1997, epidemics of malaria occured in some countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, South Africa and among refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

RESISTANCE OF THE MALARIA PARASITE:

Very high levels of chloroquine resistance, which is the First-line treatment used in the treatment of malaria, have been reported in Southern and in East Africa.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MALARIA:

The economic impact of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa which was estimated in 1987 to be 800 Million $US, reached 2,000 Million $US by the end of 1997.