Prevalence of, and risk factors for, malaria infection among patients visiting Goljota Health Center, Heben Arsi District, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: A retrospective and an institution-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Malaria infections in Ethiopia are a significant health problem that varies across regions. Malaria’s public health and socio-economic impact is huge and contributes significantly to the country’s poverty and underdevelopment. The aim of this study was to determine the five-year trend of malaria (2012-2016), and to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of malaria infection among patients visiting Goljota Health Center from September to December 2017.

Methods: The present study is a retrospective and an institution-based cross-sectional study on the prevalence of malaria. For the cross-sectional study, blood samples collected from 422 patients were processed using thin and thick blood film methods. Also, five years of retrospective data were collected to determine the trend of malaria prevalence. Socio-demographic factors were assessed and logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the independent risk factors for malaria infection.

Results: The prevalence of malaria was 14.8% in 2012, 21.4% in 2013, 14.2% in 2014, 12.9% in 2015 and 13.2% in 2016. The majority of malaria positives were male, with Plasmodium vivax accounting for most infections. The highest number of infections were in the ≤10-year-old age group. The overall prevalence of malaria infection in the cross-sectional study was 13% in Heben Arsi Woreda (District). Being male (AOR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.06-2.2, p<0.02), using bed nets when sleeping (AOR 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22-0.60, p<0.01), implementing indoor residual spraying in the past five months (AOR 0.06, 95% CI: 0.03-0.10, p<0.01), home not close to breeding site (AOR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29-0.98, p<0.04), and the absence of an opening/hole in an external house wall (AOR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27-0.92, p=0.026) showed a negative significant association with malaria infection. So, these factors are protective in relation to malaria infection. Using thatched roof material (AOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.0-2.7, p<0.02) and having an income of <500 Ethiopian birr per month (AOR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.24-7.9, p=0.02) had a positive significant association with malaria infection.

Conclusions: A strong relationship exists between malaria infection and socio-demographic risk factors. There was a decreasing malaria trend from 2013 to 2015, followed by a small increase in 2016. To further decrease the prevalence rate, intervention strategies should be designed and implemented to address current and local malaria-associated health problems that could help to reduce the problem of malaria among the population in the study area. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(1):50-57]

Key words: Malaria, health, risk factors, prevalence, south central Ethiopia