Malaria Morbidities Following Universal Coverage Campaign for Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets: A Case Study in Ukerewe District, Northwestern Tanzania

Anthony Kapesa,1 Namanya Basinda,1 Elias C Nyanza,2 Joshua Monge3,†, Sospatro E Ngallaba,4 Joseph R Mwanga,4 Eliningaya J Kweka5,6 1Department of Community Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 2Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and GIS, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 3Department of Health, Ukerewe District Council, Mwanza, Tanzania; 4Department of Epidemiology, Biostatisticsand Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health Sciences and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 5Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania; 6Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vector Control, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania†Deceased — died on June 16, 2019Correspondence: Eliningaya J Kweka Email eliningaya.kweka@tpri.go.tzBackground: Surveillance of the clinical morbidity of malaria remains key for disease monitoring for subsequent development of appropriate interventions. This case study presents the current status of malaria morbidities following a second round of mass distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) on Ukerewe Island, northwestern Tanzania.Methods: A retrospective review of health-facility registers to determine causes of inpatient morbidities for every admitted child aged < 5 years was conducted to ascertain the contribution of malaria before and after distribution of LLINs. This review was conducted from August 2016 to July 2018 in three selected health facilities. To determine the trend of malaria admissions in the selected facilities, additional retrospective collection of all malaria and other causes of admission was conducted for both < 5- and > 5-year-old patients from July 2014 to June 2018. For comparison purposes, monthly admissions of malaria and other causes from all health