Malaria in Nepal: A Spatiotemporal Study of the Disease Distribution and Challenges on the Path to Elimination

Malaria incidence (MI) has significantly declined in Nepal, and this study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and drivers of MI at the ward level. Data for malaria cases were obtained from the National Surveillance System from 2013 to 2021. Data for covariates, including annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, and distance to the nearest city, were obtained from publicly available sources. A Bayesian spatial model was used to identify factors associated with the spatial distribution of MI.

Citation:
Awasthi KR, Jancey J, Clements ACA, Alene KA, Thapa S, Ghimire P, Leavy JE. Malaria in Nepal: A Spatiotemporal Study of the Disease Distribution and Challenges on the Path to Elimination. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2025;10(2).

Keywords:
Highland; imported; incidence; indigenous; malaria; spatiotemporal

Abstract:
Malaria incidence (MI) has significantly declined in Nepal, and this study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution and drivers of MI at the ward level. Data for malaria cases were obtained from the National Surveillance System from 2013 to 2021. Data for covariates, including annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, and distance to the nearest city, were obtained from publicly available sources. A Bayesian spatial model was used to identify factors associated with the spatial distribution of MI.