The potential of addressing asymptomatic malaria in the context of malaria elimination in Ethiopia: Scoping review

Objectives: Currently, evidence synthesis targeting asymptomatic malaria infections in Ethiopia are scarce. This review intended to collect and organize information on asymptomatic malaria. Methods: A Joanna Briggs Institute, scoping review protocol was used. Searches for peer-reviewed articles published between 01 January 2010 and 10 August 2022, were done through a variety of databases, and gray literatures. Results: 17 articles were included out of 7672 articles identified. There was no any longitudinal study to trace forward these asymptomatic malaria cases. The reviewed studies did not address how asymptomatic malaria could be treated. Moreover, living in index houses, their neighbours and family sizes were the main predictors and more associated with onward transmission of malaria. Asymptomatic malaria (ASM) infection might persist in all seasons except June-August, for which data is lacking. Conclusions: Therefore, as implication of research and policy, it would be necessary to focus on index families and their neighbours in prevention of ASM, conducting longitudinal studies to ascertain when and how many asymptomatic malaria cases without fever during diagnosis would develop clinical malaria. As well, establishing a more sensitive diagnostic technique of malaria surveillance. It is also necessary to provide information regarding the feasibility of treating asymptomatic malaria cases in Ethiopia.