Malaria in primary school children and infants in Kinshasa, democratic republic of the Congo: Surveys from the 1980s and 2000

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been a perennial malarious area and has grown almost 14 times from 380,000 people in 1960 to 5,293,000 in 2003. The most complete information on malaria prevalence in Kinshasa was first acquired in 1981-1983. Blood smears were obtained from 25,135 children (ages 5-15 years) from 245 schools in 16 of 24 zones. The mean Plasmodium falciparum parasite rate was 17%; the parasite rate was similar for both sexes and was higher (P < 0.001) in older students. The parasite rate varied from 4% (urban zone) to 46% (peri-urban zone). An infant survey confirmed malaria transmission. During the Roll Back Malaria situational analysis in 2000, malaria prevalence was reassessed by the National Malaria Control Program and its partners in schools from selected health zones. A mean parasite rate of 34% was found among school children 5-9 years old. The parasite rate varied from 14% (central urban zone) to 65% (peri urban zone). Plasmodium falciparum was not the only species found, but accounted for more than 97% of the infections. Malaria incidence may have increased in Kinshasa during the last two decades due to difficulties in provision of control and prevention measures. Along with deployment of insecticide-treated bed nets and improved patient management, currently ongoing, other measures that could impact the disease are being considered, including vector control, water management, and proper urban planning.