Prevalence and Rising Burden of Malaria in District Mohmand: A Three-Year Retrospective Study

Background: Malaria is still a serious threat to public health in Pakistan, specifically in tribal districts with limited healthcare access. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and species distribution of malaria in District Mohmand over a three-year period. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out using data collected from January 2021 to December 2023. Records of 205,557 suspected malaria cases were obtained from the Directorate of Malaria Control, District Mohmand. Diagnostic methods included Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) and microscopy. Data were analyzed by year, species, gender, age group, treatment, and diagnostic method. Results: Of the total 205,557 individuals screened, 19,967 (9.27%) were confirmed malaria cases. Plasmodium vivax accounted for 95.15% of cases, followed by P. falciparum (3.15%) and mixed infections (1.57%). The prevalence increased from 8.15% in 2021 to 12.14% in 2023. Males (54%) were more frequently infected than females (46%). The highest prevalence was found in individuals aged 15+ years (59%). RDT was the primary diagnostic method used (95%). Interpretation & Conclusion: The study highlights an increasing trend in malaria prevalence in District Mohmand, with P. vivax as the dominant species. Adult males were more affected, likely due to occupational exposure. Enhanced vector control, early detection, and focused public health interventions are recommended to reduce malaria burden in the region.