ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS FOR THE SPREAD OF MALARIA IN ANGOLA

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Angola, especially among vulnerable population groups such as children under five and pregnant women. This research conducted a retrospective analysis of epidemiological data for 2018–2023 in order to identify trends in the spread of malaria and risk factors. The research was based on data from the Ministry of Health of Angola, the WHO, and the National Institute of Public Health. Special attention was paid to the influence of climatic and socio-economic factors, such as medical care availability, use of mosquito nets, and insecticide resistance in vectors. Seasonal fluctuations in morbidity and regional differences in the spread of infection were also considered. The paper analyzed existing prevention strategies, including chemoprophylaxis, vaccination, and mosquito control measures, as well as their effectiveness. In addition, the challenges associated with the development of drug resistance in the pathogen and insecticidal resistance in mosquitoes were discussed. The obtained results can contribute to the improvement of malaria control programs and the development of more effective strategies to control this disease, which is especially important for regions with high levels of endemicity and limited healthcare resources.