Work

Assessment on the prevalence of malaria and its associated risk factors in individuals visiting the health centers in the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of malaria in individuals visiting health centers in the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used on 422 study participants from three selected health centers from February to March 2020. Plasmodium parasite detection was examined using thick and thin blood smears, with a rapid diagnostic test. The chi-square (χ 2 ) test was used to analyze the association between the prevalence of malaria and categorical variables, whereas binary logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors using SPSS Version 25. For all types of tests, P -values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results The overall prevalence of malaria observed at the selected health centers around the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District was 23.90% (95% confidence interval: 20.30-27.70%). There was a higher prevalence of malaria in males (39.78%) than in females (11.44%). The younger age group (16-30 years) was the most affected (47.76%), compared with the remaining 0-2 (19.23%), 3-15 (8.64%), 36-45 (37.25%), and above 45 years age groups (13.01%). Individuals with bed net–using habit decreased the risk of malaria infection by 99.70% compared with their counterparts (adjusted odds ratio: 0.003, 95% confidence interval: 0.001-0.011). Conclusions In this study, the wetlands of Bahir Dar Zuria District were found conducive to the survival and reproduction of mosquitoes, and the occurrence of malaria prevalence was very high. Therefore, wetland management practices and community mobilizations that might decrease vector abundance and malaria transmission should be strengthened in the study area.

Source: IJID Regions

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100651

Authors: Ayalew Sisay Beyene, Felegush Abebe, Adem Nega Yimer

Institution: Debre Markos University

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: $1,380