RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MALARIA CASES IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTER IN KARNATAKA, SOUTHWESTERN INDIA

Kiran K. Dayanand, Punnath Kishore, Valleesha Chandrashekar, Susanta K. Ghosh, Suchetha Kumari and Rajeshwara N. Achur* 

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a major health problem in many parts of the world, including India. The present study is based on available records in a tertiary healthcare center in Mangalore city, an endemic area in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. The prevalence, seasonal variation and morbidity pattern during the year 2016 has been compiled and analyzed. The incidence of malaria in Dakshina Kannada district is on the rise during recent years with peak infection rate in rainy season. Prime parasite of infection in this region is Plasmodium vivax contributing to more than 80% of the total cases. Incidence of malaria in this region is high in adult males compared to children, unlike sub Saharan Africa. P. vivax infection accounts for high rate of mortality in adult males compared to females and children. Migrant workers involved in various construction activities are more affected than the native population mainly because of their exposure status and lack of awareness towards the disease. Thus, there is an urgent need to create awareness about the disease by conducting educational programs and to reduce the risk by adopting personal protective measures and environmental hygienic measures.

Keywords: Malaria infection, Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, Prevalence, Infection.