Epidemiology and Seasonal Pattern of Malaria in an Irrigated Area of Eastern Sudan

Epidemiological patterns of malaria are widely different; such information can help programs to design interventions relevant to situation. This cohort study investigated the epidemiology of malaria in Dipaira camp, an irrigated area, in eastern Sudan during the period July 2004 to Jun 2005. At baseline, the relevant socio-demographic factors and the monthly malaria parasitological surverys were carried-out. Thirty- six (4.1%) out of 860 blood smears were found positive for malaria, 32 were P. falciparum and 4 were P. vivax. One child (two years old) died due to severe malaria (repeated convulsions). The mean malaria prevalence was 4.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.84-5.53) per 100 person-months (range, 0.0% -11.7 %), with two peaks in autumn (7.5 per 100 person-months) and cool dry seasons (4.6 per 100 person-months).The age and sex were not significantly different between the infected and non- infected groups. Thus, malaria in the area is highly seasonal with prevalence ranging between 0.00 to 11.7%. Efforts to control malaria should be designed to cover the end of the rainy season.