Accounting for regional transmission variability and the impact of malaria control interventions in Ghana: A population level mathematical modelling approach.
Abstract Background Assessing the effectiveness of malaria control measures in Ghana will require taking transmission dynamics of the disease into account given the influence of climate variability in the region of interest. The impact of preventative interventions on malaria incidence and the prospects of meeting program timelines in Ghana have been investigated using mathematical models based on regionally diverse climatic zones. Methods An ordinary non-linear differential equation model with its associated rate parameters was developed incorporating the transitions between various disease compartments for three ecological zones in Ghana. Model parameters were estimated using data captured on the District Health Information Management System in Ghana from 2008 to 2017.The impact of insecticide treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying on the incidence of malaria were simulated at various levels of coverage and protective effectiveness in each ecological zone. To fit the model, Approximate Bayesian Computational sampling approach was adopted. Results Increasing the coverage levels of both long lasting insecticide treated bed nets or indoor residual spraying activities without a corresponding increase in their proper use or patronage does not impact highly on averting predicted incidence of malaria in Ghana. Improving on the protective efficacy of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets through proper usage could lead to substantial reductions in the predicted incidence of malaria. Similar results were obtained with indoor residual spraying across all zones. Conclusions Projected goals set in the National Strategic plan for malaria control 2014-2020 as well as WHO targets for malaria pre-elimination by 2030 are only likely be achieved if a substantial improvement in treated bed net usage is achieved coupled with targeted deployment of indoor residual spraying with high efficacy.