Abstract: Malaria morbidity and mortality data from clinical records provide essential

information towards defining disease burden in the area and for planning control strategies, but

should be augmented with data on transmission intensity and serological data as measures for

exposure to malaria. The objective of this study was to estimate the malaria burden based on

serological data and prevalence of malaria, and compare it with existing self-treatment practices

in Magugu in Babati District of northern Tanzania. Prospectively, 470 individuals were selected

for the study. Both microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) were used for malaria diagnosis.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to merozoite surface proteins (MSP-119) and apical membrane

antigen (AMA-1) was performed and the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was estimated. To

complement this information, retrospective data on treatment history, prescriptions by

physicians and use of bed nets were collected. Malaria prevalence in the area was 6.8% (32/470).

Of 130 individuals treated with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), 22.3 % (29/130) were

slide confirmed while 75.3% (98/130) of them were blood smear negative. Three of the slides

confirmed individuals were not treated with ACT. Fever was reported in 38.2% of individuals, of

whom 48.8 % (88/180) were given ACT. Forty-two (32.3%) of those who received ACT had no

history of fever. About half (51.1%) of those treated with ACT were children <10 years old.

Immunoglobulin against MSP-119 was positive in 16.9% (74/437) while against AMA-1 was was

positive in 29.8 % (130/436). Transmission intensity estimated at <0.2 infectious bites per person

per year. The RDT was highly specific (96.3%) but with low sensitivity (15.6%). The low

sensitivity of RDT reflects the low number of immune individuals as well as the low parasite

density. CONCLUDE IN RELATION TO YOUR OBJECTIVE