Prevalence of malaria and associated factors among under-five children in Sherkole refugee camp, Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Under-five year children are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria, they accounted for 61% of all malaria deaths worldwide. Sherkole refugee camp is stratified under high risk for malaria. Knowledge on malaria prevalence and associated factors among under-five children in Sherkole refugee camp is lacking.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Institution-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among under-five children in Sherkole refugee camp from October to November 2019. Total sample size was 356. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Standardized questionnaire was used to collect data. Care StartTM Malaria Rapid diagnostic test which detect histidine-rich protein 2 of P. falciparum and plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase of P. vivax was used to diagnose malaria. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with malaria.

RESULTS

A total of 356 participants were included in this study with response rate of 97.5%. The prevalence malaria was 3.9% (95% CI = 2.0-6.2). Outdoor stay at night (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.14-13.8), stagnant water near to house (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.14-14.6), and the number of under-five children per household (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.03-13.0) were found to increase the odds of getting malaria. Whereas, insecticide treated net (ITN)utilization (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.06-0.61) and Health information about malaria (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.06-0.65) reduce the odds of getting malaria.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Malaria remains the major public health problem in Sherkole Refugee camp. Outdoor stay at night, stagnant water near to house, and number of under-five children per household were the risk factors for malaria. Health information dissemination that focuses on avoiding outdoor stay at night, eliminating stagnant water & using ITN, and considering number of under-five children per household during ITN distribution should be take into account.