Zambia National Malaria Elimination Centre, Lusaka, Zambia
Citation Style For This Article: Zambia National Malaria Elimination Centre, Lusaka, Zambia. Zambia’s 2018 Malaria Indicator
Survey. Health Press Zambia Bull. 2019; 3(4); pp 3-5.
MIS shows progress toward universal coverage, national decrease in prevalence ZAMBIA’S 2018 MALARIA INDICATOR SURVEYIn 2017 and 2018, the National Malaria Elimination Program organized the country’s largest-ever insecticide treated nets (ITN) distribution campaign, with the aim of universal coverage. 79 percent of households reported owning at least one ITN. In 45 percent of households, all members reported sleeping under an ITN. Zambia’s sixth National Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) represents significant progress across early all key indicators including reductions in burden of malaria among households throughout the country and increased coverage of malaria interventions, like insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).
The national malaria parasite prevalence dropped to 9 percent among children under age five years in 2018 compared with 17 percent in 2015, continuing the decline seen since 2010 (Fig. 1). Among children under five, severe anaemia prevalence generally declined with increasing age and declined nationally overall. These trends are underpinned by an increase in ITN use and ownership (Fig. 2, 3) and improved case management and social behaviour change. Sustaining the progress and momentum of the elimination effort requires a number of changes and improvements for malaria service delivery and strategic prioritization Figure 1. Malaria prevalence among children by microscopy by province (Zambia 2018) About the MIS The MIS is a nationally representative household survey assessing coverage of key malaria interventions and malaria-related burden among children under five years of age, and is a key tool for tracking process in fighting the disease and improving targeting of resources.
The 2018 MIS was based on a nationally representative two-stage cluster sample of 4,177households surveyed from 179standard enumeration areas randomly selected from all ten provinces to provide representative national, urban, and rural estimates. Field work was conducted during April and May 2018 by 16field teams using standardized questionnaires preprogrammed onto mobile phones. The 2018 MIS also compares results from previous surveys conducted in 2006-2015.
microscopy by province (Zambia 2018)
survey by level of household ownership of ITNs (Zambia 2018)
or IRS or both and households with at least one ITN per two people or IRS or both
(Zambia 2018)
