Work

Factors associated with severe malaria-related mortality among hospitalized children under five years of age in Eastern Province of Rwanda: a cross-sectional study using hospital records from 2017 to 2021

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background Malaria remains a significant concern for children under-five in malaria-endemic regions. Rwanda’s successful efforts in malaria treatment reduced nationwide cases, but high mortality persists in the Eastern and Southern provinces. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of severe malaria and to identify the death risk factors among under-five children in Eastern province Hospitals. Method This cross-sectional study assessed severe malaria mortality and associated factors among children aged under-five years in hospitals of Eastern Province, Rwanda, from 2017 to 2021. Data were collected from hospital records, and descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results Malaria mortality was 3.37%, mostly occurring at night (53.06%) and within 24 hours of admission (66.67%). Factors associated with severe malaria mortality included illness duration ≥ 4 days without treatment (OR = 29.22 [95% CI: 14.13–60.44]), coma (OR = 8.73 [95% CI: 8.08–38.07]), having three or more severe symptoms (OR = 5.95 [95% CI: 3.26–10.84]), high-level parasitaemia (OR = 3.71 [95% CI: 1.16–11.89]), and multi-organ complications (OR = 3.66 [95% CI: 1.04–12.84]), respiratory distress (OR = 3.33 [95% CI: 1.85-6.00]), vomiting (OR = 2.79 [95% CI: 1.49–5.20]), severe anaemia (OR = 1.85 [95% CI: 1.02–3.36]), Four day and more with illness without consultation (aOR = 38.45 [95% CI: 9.91-149.19]) and Coma (aOR = 9.61 [95% CI: 1.2-77.21]) were had greater odds of death in multivariate analysis. Conclusion In conclusion, targeted interventions are crucial to address - factors, improve healthcare-seeking behaviour, and ensure timely treatment for severe malaria in children under-five in Eastern Province, Rwanda.

Source: Malaria Journal

DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05159-8

Authors: Jean Paul Hategekimana, Clarisse Marie Claudine Simbi, Theoneste Ntakirutimana, Laetitia Nyirazinyoye

Institutions: University of Rwanda, Ministry of Health

Language: English

Topic: Malaria Research and Control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,790