OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate malaria situation analysis, stratification and 
planning for an endemic area in southern Iran.
METHODS: Data on health system, population, meteorological parameters, malaria 
cases, anopheline vectors, and control activities during 2005-2007 was obtained 
from Minab Health Center, Minab Meteorological Station and published documents 
about malaria elements in the study area. A datasheet was created in excel 2003 
for analysis.
RESULTS: There were 644 health staff working in Minab District including 99 
health staff in malaria control program. The health facilities are distributed 
as follow: 1 hospital with 96 beds, 23 health centers including private centers 
(10 in Minab city and 13 in rural area of Minab District) and 119 health houses 
in rural areas of Minab District. A nopheles stephensi was the dominant species 
in Minab District, however, Anopheles dthali, Anopheles superpictus, Anopheles 
fluviatilis, Anopheles multicolor, Anopheles pulcherrimus and Anopheles turkhudi 
can also be found in the area. Anopheles stephensi was reported susceptible to 
malathion, propoxur, primphos-methyl, lambda-cyhalothrin permethrin and 
deltamethrin, and resistant to DDT and dieldrin in the area. During the study 
period a total of 10 665 positive cases were reported, mainly due to local 
transmission (99.6%). Plasmodium vivax was the main causative agent followed by 
Plasmodium falciparum. There were reports about drug resistance of Plasmodium 
falciparum in the area.
CONCLUSIONS: Using different parameters, Minab was classified into 3 strata. A 
plan was designed based on described goal, objectives and targets. The 
approaches of this plan were categorized into: health education, early detection 
and correct treatment, and vector control. Main constraints of these approaches 
are population movement between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan; vector control 
challenges at district, inadequate skilled medical staff in malaria case 
management and weak inter-sectorial coordination for malaria control, especially 
in urban areas.