An outbreak of malaria caused by increase in malaria breeding sites in swamps
Steven Ndugwa, Kabwama, Benon Kwesiga, Lilian Bulage, Daniel Kadobera, Alex Riolexus Ario, Julie Rebecca Harris
Corresponding author: Steven Ndugwa Kabwama, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda 
Received: 16 Aug 2021 - Accepted: 04 Oct 2021 - Published: 23 Mar 2022
Domain: Epidemiology,Public health emergencies,Public health
Keywords: Case Study, malaria, outbreak investigation, retrospective cohort, Uganda
This article is published as part of the supplement A guide for epidemiological investigation of malaria outbreaks and response in varied scenarios, commissioned by Uganda National Institute of Public Health.
©Steven Ndugwa et al. Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Steven Ndugwa et al. An outbreak of malaria caused by increase in malaria breeding sites in swamps. Pan African Medical Journal. 2022;41(1):5. [doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2022.41.1.31258]
Available online at: https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/series/41/1/5/full
Case study 
An outbreak of malaria caused by increase in malaria breeding sites in swamps
An outbreak of malaria caused by increase in malaria breeding sites in swamps
Steven Ndugwa Kabwama1,&, 
Benon Kwesiga2, Lilian Bulage2,3,4, Daniel Kadobera2,4, Alex Riolexus Ario2,4, Julie Rebecca Harris5,6
&Corresponding author
On 10th June 2019, routine analysis of malaria surveillance data at the National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health in Uganda revealed that there was an unusual increase in the number of malaria cases reported in the Oyam District. On 11th June 2019, the District Health Officer in Oyam District convened a meeting with the District Health Team (DHT) in which the District Biostatistician confirmed that the number of malaria cases had indeed exceeded the upper limit, starting in epidemic week 24 (approximately the week of June 10). The District Health Officer issued a formal request to the Ministry of Health for assistance in dealing with the malaria outbreak in Oyam. Two field epidemiology residents were assigned to work with the District Health Team to investigate the outbreak. The residents followed the steps in conducting vector borne disease outbreak investigations including preparation for field work, establishment of the existence of an outbreak by analyzing surveillance data, descriptive data analysis, hypothesis generation, conducting environmental and entomological assessments, conducting analytic studies with a focus on the utility of retrospective cohort studies as well as reporting findings. This case study teaches trainees in Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs, public health students, public health workers who are interested or who may participate in vector borne disease outbreak investigation and response.
How to use this case study: Case studies in applied epidemiology allow students to practice applying epidemiologic skills in the classroom to address real-world public health problems. The case studies are used as a vital component of an applied epidemiology curriculum, rather than as stand-alone tools. They are ideally suited to reinforcing principles and skills already covered in a lecture or in background reading. This case study has a Facilitator Guide and a Participant Guide. Each facilitator should review the Facilitator Guide, gain familiarity with the outbreak and investigation on which the case study is based, review the epidemiologic principles being taught, and think of examples in the facilitator´s own experience to further illustrate the points. Ideally, participants receive the case study one part at a time during the case study session. However, if the case study is distributed in whole, participants should be asked not to look ahead.
During the case study session, one or two instructors facilitate the case study for 8 to 20 students in a classroom or conference room. The facilitator should hand out part I and direct a participant to read one paragraph out loud, then progressing around the room and giving each participant a chance to read. Reading out loud and in turns has two advantages. First, all participants engage in the process and overcome any inhibitions by having her/his voice heard. Second, it keeps the all participants progressing through the case study at the same speed. After a participant reads a question, the facilitator will direct participants to answer the question by performing calculations, constructing graphs, or engaging in a discussion of the answer. Sometimes, the facilitator can split the class to play different roles or take different sides in answering the question. As a result, participants learn from each other, not just from the facilitator. After the questions have been answered, the facilitator hands out the next part. At the end of the case study, the facilitator should direct a participant to once again read the objectives on page 1 to review and ensure that the objectives have been met.
Prerequisites: for this case study, participants should have received instruction or conducted readings in: Topic 1: Study designs; Topic 2: Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Studies; Topic 3: Odds Ratios and Risk Ratios.
Target audience: trainees in the Uganda Field Epidemiology Training Program / Public Health Fellowship Program, other Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs), public health students, public health workers who may participate in rapid needs assessments and others who are interested in vector-borne disease outbreak investigation and response.
Level of case study: Intermediate or Advanced (Intermediate participants should have background in analyzing data from a two-by-two table and in interpreting data from tables).
Time required: 3 hours
Language: english
- Download the case study student guide (PDF - 687 KB)
- Request the case study facilitator guide
The authors declare no competing interests.
SNK participated in the data collection and analysis, SNK led the writing process and developed the initial draft of the case study; DK, BK, LB, and ARA participated the case study development workshop and the writing process. JRH facilitated the case study development workshop, writing, and revision of the drafts. All authors read and gave approval to the final case study for use and publication.
We appreciate the President´s Malaria Initiative, specifically, Dr. Mame Niang, and Dr. Kassahun Belay plus other officers from Makerere University School of Public Health and AFENET that made it possible for us to access funds for this case study development. We appreciate Maureen Katusiime and Gerald Rukundo for their assistance in gathering data and other information used to develop this case study.
- Krefis AC, Schwarz NG, Krüger A, Fobil J, Nkrumah B, Acquah S, Loag W et al. Modeling the relationship between precipitation and malaria incidence in children from a holoendemic area in Ghana. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Feb;84(2):285-91. PubMed | Google Scholar
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