Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors Among Febrile Children Aged 5years and Below at Banadir Hospital, Somalia

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a tropical disease which is caused by protozoa plasmodium species. The most vulnerable are children under five in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as Somalia. The frequency of malaria in Somalia has not been extensively researched, however it is anticipated to be significant in low-lying areas. Countries have established goals to effectively manage and eradicate malaria via targeted interventions for vulnerable populations. However, malaria infection continues to pose a significant public health problem in regions where the disease is prevalent. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among febrile children aged 5years and below at Banadir Hospital, Somalia Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to examine a sample of 246 children aged five and below who sought medical care at Banadir hospital in Somalia. The research participants were selected using a systematic random sampling. Child aged five and below malaria infection status was the main dependent variable, and it was diagnosed by the examination of thin films’ by means of microscopy. To assess the connection between confirmed malaria infection and predictors, a binary logistic regression model was utilized. The bivariate p-value criterion for inclusion in the multivariable logistic regression analysis model was set at 0.2. The degree of significance was set at.05. Results: The study found prevalence of malaria illustrates a pattern across different age groups, with the highest recorded percentage being in the youngest age group of less than 12 months at 35.7%. This prevalence notably decreases in the subsequent age group of 12-24 months, dropping to 15.2%, which is less than half of the initial group's percentage. As the age increases to 25-36 months, there is a resurgence in prevalence to 31.4%, suggesting an upward trend as age increases. This trend continues modestly in the 37-48 months age group, which sees a slight rise to 32.0%. The prevalence peaks in the 49-60 months age group, reaching 38.1%, indicating the highest susceptibility or exposure to malaria in the oldest age group studied. When other factors were controlled for, the age of the child, whether caregiver knew that headache is a symptom of malaria and preventative measures employed against malaria were associated with the children’s infectious status. Children (12-24 months) were about 2.4 times more likely to have malaria infection compared to those aged below 12 months (AOR=2.376; 95% C. I: (3.107, 11.324). Children whose caregiver knew that headache is a symptom were 44% less likely to be malaria infected than those who didn’t (AOR=0.560; 95% C. I: (1.027, 1.159). Children whose caregiver used IRS were about 40% more likely to be malaria infected than those using ITN (AOR=1.396; 95% C. I: (1.557,3.494). Conclusion: The most important risk factors for contracting malaria are the child's age, the parent's familiarity with the disease's symptoms, and the usage of preventative measures. In order to raise awareness of malaria and its symptoms and preventative measures, national and local health administrators should create educational programs. They should also enhance efforts to increase access to insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and other major malaria prevention and control tools especially for children who are under the age of five in order further reduce impact of malaria