Malaria Epidemiological Characteristics in Urban and Suburban Areas of Bamako, Mali

Malaria remains a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria burden may vary according to different settings in a city. We aim to describe malaria epidemiology in urban and suburban areas in Bamako, capital of Mali.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in children and adults seeking care with febrile illnesses in urban and suburban community health centers in Bamako. The Community Health Care Center (CScom) of Dravéla in urban setting and the Confessional Health Center of Nafadji in suburban setting were selected. In Dravéla, participants of all age categories with fever (or a history of fever) were enrolled. In Nafadji, children of 0-59 months old, with fever (or a history of fever in the last 24 h), were enrolled. In addition to clinical signs and parasitological, sociodemographic parameters were also assessed.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence was, respectively, 68% and 61.16% in Dravéla and Nafadji. Severe malaria cases have been reported in Nafadji, including cerebral malaria (15.15%) and severe malaria anemia (1.64%). Self-medication and use of impregnated mosquito nets were, respectively, 45.5% and 69.5% in Dravéla, and 32.8% and 39.8% in Nafadji.

Our results suggest that malaria is the main cause of fever and morbidity in peri-urban and urban areas of Bamako. The impregnated mosquito nets were less frequently used in the suburban area. In Bamako, during the dry season, malaria transmission is high; control efforts and tools should be maintained during that period.