analysis of factors contributing to malaria prevalence among children below five years attending teboke health centre iii, apac district

Description

Malaria is, a severe and potentially fatal disease, caused by plasmodium transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes after feeding on humans. Without intervention malaria kills within 24 hours of severe symptom onset, especially in children under five. Climatic conditions such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity play significant roles in mosquito survival and proliferation. Globally, nearly every day, a child under five dies from malaria, with 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths reported annually. Of these deaths, 76% occur in children under five. In Teboke, 71.8% of malaria cases were reported over three years. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the prevalence of malaria among children under five attending Teboke Health Centre III in Apac District. Conducted between August 2023 and May 2024, this cross-sectional study employed quantitative data collection methods. The primary population included caregivers of children under five at Teboke Health Centre III. Stratified sampling categorized caregiver by department/clinic, followed by simple random sampling to select 127 participants. Data collection involved interviews and self-administered questionnaires given to caregivers, with assistance provided to those unable to read or write. Findings revealed that 97% of caregivers had a primary education level and 62.2% believed that education influenced malaria prevalence. 82% identified mosquito bites as the primary transmission mode and acknowledged malaria's danger in children, 86.6% citing fever, nausea, and 3.9% convulsions as common symptoms. Preventive measures included using treated mosquito nets 63.8%, and health facilities were the main sources of treatment 90.06% of caregivers. 65.4% of caregivers recognized stagnant water and 34.6% bushy areas as mosquito breeding sites, 53.5% noted that mosquitoes bite most frequently in the evening and at night, and 62.2% understood that vegetation and distance to health facilities affect malaria prevalence. Household factors contributing to malaria included family and house size 47.24 had family of less than 5only 3.94%, house structure 75.5% lived in temporary 7.9% had permanent structure, community household population size, 55.9% reported sparse population 44.1% dense population and 88.6% believed that inadequate water supply, sanitation, and drainage systems leads to malaria prevalence . To reduce malaria prevalence, the study recommends caregivers education to recognize and respond promptly to all symptoms of malaria.