Childhood malaria cases in Kilifi fall sharply over 35 years
KILIFI, Kenya, Oct 3 — The number of children infected with malaria in Kilifi has fallen sharply over the past 35 years, with the proportion carrying malaria parasites dropping from…
A study conducted by researchers from the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) has found that the number of children infected with malaria in Kilifi, Kenya, has significantly decreased over the past 35 years. The proportion of children carrying malaria parasites has dropped from about one in three during the 1990s to one in 50 today.
Additionally, there has been a major decline in malaria-related hospital admissions among children in the same period. The study analyzed pediatric admissions at Kilifi County Teaching and Referral Hospital between 1990 and 2024, involving children aged one month to 14 years living in the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System area.
The researchers attribute the decline to increased use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, better access to effective malaria medicines, and improvements in healthcare services. Dr. Alice Kamau, the study's lead author, emphasized that these findings demonstrate what can be achieved when malaria control efforts are maintained over many years.
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