Abstract:
This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to examine the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Mae Hong Son Province during 20182022. Secondary data were retrieved from the Malaria Online Database of the Department of Disease Control. A total of 1,335 diagnosed cases were included and analyzed using descriptive statistics.The results revealed a continuously increasing trend in malaria incidence rates per 100,000 population (44.46, 46.54, 52.60, 125.29, and 199.08, respectively). The highest incidence was observed among non-Thai migrants (477.09 per 100,000) and in high-risk area level A1 (398.81 per 100,000). Most cases were Thai nationals (71.4%), male (70.6%), aged 1039 years (61.6%), bed nets used were reported at 87.2%, but only 22.1% slept in bed nets and did not use mosquito repellent (98.1%), and engaged in forest-related occupations (51.5%). Plasmodium vivax was the predominant parasite species (94.8%), followed by Plasmodium falciparum (4.7%). The highest number of cases were reported in Mae Sariang District (63.8%) and Sop Moei District (33.2%), with increasing distribution in Mae Khong and Mae Sam Lap subdistricts . Malaria cases peaked during the rainy season, particularly in July (19.8%), June (15.3%), and August (15.2%). ; According to the study, malaria in Mae Hong Son has shown a continuous increasing trend, particularly in forested and border areas, with variations in disease distribution across locations. These findings can serve as essential evidence to support strategic planning for effective malaria prevention and control in border regions, as well as provide a basis for further research in the future.