Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 16 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 83-93
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260709
Epidemiological Trends and Plasmodium species Distribution of Malaria in Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga Districts, Karnataka, India (2019-2023)
Pramod Kachru Jagtap1, Laxmikant V. Shinde2, Shubhangini Damodar Mandale3
1Lecturer in Biophysics, Department of Physiology, SIMS, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India.
2Professor, Department of Zoology, JES College, Jalna. Maharashtra India.
3Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Global Institute of Physiotherapy Karnataka, India.
Corresponding Author: Pramod Kachru Jagtap
ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria remains a public health concern in specific endemic pockets of India despite a substantial overall decline in incidence. Karnataka has shown marked regional variation in malaria transmission patterns, influenced by ecological, demographic, and vector-related factors. Understanding district-level epidemiological trends and Plasmodium species distribution is essential for sustaining malaria elimination efforts.
Objectives: The present study aimed to analyse the epidemiological trends, age- and gender-wise distribution, spatial patterns, and Plasmodium species distribution of malaria cases reported from Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka over a five-year period (2019–2023).
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using secondary data from laboratory-confirmed malaria cases collected from Primary Health Centres across both districts. Data were analyzed for year-wise trends, demographic characteristics, spatial distribution at taluka and PHC levels, and parasite species composition. Descriptive statistics were applied, and results were expressed as frequencies and percentages.
Results:A pronounced decline in malaria cases was observed in Dakshina Kannada, with a reduction of over 95% from 2019 to 2023, while Shivamogga reported consistently low case numbers throughout the study period. Males and individuals aged ≤50 years constituted the majority of malaria cases in both districts. Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species in Dakshina Kannada, whereas Plasmodium vivax was the dominant species in Shivamogga. Spatial analysis revealed clustering of cases in urban talukas and PHCs, particularly in Dakshina Kannada.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant reduction in malaria burden in the study areas, indicating progress toward malaria elimination. However, persistent age- and gender-related vulnerability, along with marked regional differences in Plasmodium species distribution, highlights the need for continued district-specific surveillance and targeted control strategies to prevent resurgence.
Key words: Malaria, Epidemiology, Plasmodium species, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Karnataka.