Tracking the performance of malaria surveillance indicators using routine Kenya Health Information System data across the epidemiological zones in Kenya, 2021-2022

Abstract

Objectives: Assessment of malaria surveillance performance indicators to determine completeness of malaria reports, testing rates,  incidence rates, blood examination rates, positivity rate and treatment rates across epidemiological zones in Kenya.

Design: Cross-sectional retrospective review.

Setting: All government health facilities in Kenya

Subjects: Suspected malaria cases tested and treated as reported on Kenya Health Information System (KHIS), 2021 to 2022.

Main outcomes: Reporting rate, testing rate, malaria incidence, blood examination rate, treatment, and positivity rate.

Results: The malaria reporting rates for MOH 705 was 100% in year 2021 and 98% in year 2022, MOH 706 was 88% in year 2021 and 90%  in year 2022, MOH 743 was 89% in year 2021 and 94% in year 2022. The testing rate was 79% in year 2021 and 87% in year 2022. Malaria  incidence rate was 75 and 83 cases per 1000 population in year in year 2021 and 2022 respectively. Blood examination rate was 18 and 19  tests per 100 population in year 2021 and 2022 respectively. The treatment rate was 102% in year 2021 and 97% in year 2022. The test  positivity rate was 29% across the years. The Lake endemic zone had the highest burden contributing to 77% and 82% in year 2021 and  2022 respectively

Conclusion: To reduce malaria burden, improvement should target level two heath facilities that serve a large  population of patients. Capacity building and mentorship of health workers on adherence to malaria case management could enhance  the patient quality of care.