Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Malaria Prevalence and Its Determinant Factors in Pastoral Communities of Waghemira Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal Health Sci Rep

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2023 Jun 12

PMID 37305151

Authors

Habtu Debash

Gebru Tesfaw

Hussen Ebrahim

Agumas Shibabaw

Yimer Melese

Mihret Tilahun

Ermiyas Alemayehu

Ousman Mohammed

Melkam Tesfaye

Mengistu Abate

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background And Aims: Malaria elimination programs have also encountered numerous challenges, such as widespread asymptomatic carriers in endemic areas, which should be taken into account in malaria-control programs for effective transmission interruption. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria infections and associated factors, in pastoral communities.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected districts in the Waghemra Zone, Northeast Ethiopia, from September to December 2022. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect sociodemographic data and associated risk factors. species were detected using light microscopy and a rapid diagnostic test. Data entry and analysis were carried out using SPSS version 26 software. The association between dependent and independent variables was explored by using multivariable logistic regression analyses. A statistically significant association was declared at a -value of <0.05.

Results: The overall prevalence of malaria was 21.2% (134/633), with the predominant infections accounting for 67.8% (87/134). Among asymptomatic participants, 7.5% (34/451) and 10.2% (46/451) were diagnosed by rapid diagnostic test and light microscopy, respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of symptomatic malaria was 44.5% (81/182) and 48.4% (88/182) as diagnosed by rapid diagnostic test and light microscopy, respectively. The presence of stagnant water near the houses, the utilization of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, the number of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and outdoor stays at night were all positively linked with the prevalence of malaria.

Conclusions: The overall prevalence estimate for symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria was high. Malaria is still a public health problem in the study area. Malaria infection was associated with the presence of stagnant water near the houses, the utilization of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, the number of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and outdoor stays at night. Improved access to all malaria interventions is needed to interrupt the transmission at the community level.

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