Planning and implementation of malaria control interventions is driven by Data for Decision Making (DDM). The generation of appropriate operational research questions is one way of addressing gaps that are realized during the implementation of strategies. The Division of National Malaria Control Program (DNMP) has developed a list of priority research areas to address operation research questions relevant to the Kenya Malaria strategy 2019/2023. Among these is “What is the epidemiological profile of patients who experience repeated malaria infections in the counties?”

The 2020 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey (KMIS) found that the country’s overall malaria prevalence among children aged 6 months to 14 years was 6%, while Busia county was 38.5%, Siaya county 28.8%, and Kisumu county 15.6%. While the prevalence was high in these counties, it is not known how many of the confirmed malaria cases are repeat infections or the characteristics of these repeat infections by person, residence, or time between repeat infections. Consequences of repeat malaria infection include cost implications from direct and indirect costs of treatment.

Therefore, DNMP in collaboration with FELTP carried out this investigation in Siaya, Busia and Kisumucounties between 6/06/2022 and 17/06/2022. The investigation design was a retrospective cohort. The investigation population included suspected malaria cases testing positive blood smear or positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) in select health facilities between June 2021 and May 2022.

The objective of the activity was to assess the profiles of cases with repeated malaria infection. The specific objective was to characterize repeat malaria cases by time, place and time. This will avail information to the program and stakeholders to come up with targeted mitigation measures to minimize repeat infections.