Malaria Prevalence and Risk Factors in Outpatients at Teda Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dagmawi Woldesenbet; Yalewayker Tegegne; Muluken Semaw; Wagaw Abebe; Silesh Barasa; Menberu Wubetie; Elias Tamene; Marshet Anteneh; Aschalew Yimer; Deneke Wolde

doi:10.1155/2024/8919098

Malaria Prevalence and Risk Factors in Outpatients at Teda Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

J Parasitol Res. 2024 May 14:2024:8919098. doi: 10.1155/2024/8919098. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia.
² Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
³ Medical Laboratory Unit, Sanja General Hospital, Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Sanja, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
⁷ Bahir Dar Blood Bank, Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
⁸ Medical Laboratory Unit, Teda Health Center, Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Despite extensive efforts and achievements made in prevention and control, malaria is still a public health problem in Ethiopia. Currently, the case number has been climbing, even changing the epidemiology to the previously low-burden reporting locations. Therefore, our study is aimed at assessing malaria prevalence and associated risk factors in outpatients, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 malaria-suspected outpatients from October 22 to December 15, 2022, at Teda Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia. Sociodemographic characteristics and malaria risk factors were assessed by a face-to-face interview using a pretested questionnaire. Plasmodium parasites were detected by using microscopy on a blood film stained with 10% and 3% Giemsa stain. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25, and statistical significance was reported at a p value < 0.05.

Results: Of the 318 study participants, 124 (39.0%; 95%CI = 33.6% - 44.6%) tested positive for Plasmodium infection. Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, and mixed infections were identified in 71 (57.3%), 47 (37.9%), and 6 (4.8%), respectively, among positive study participants. Individuals above the age of 15 (AOR = 2.704, 95% CI 1.370-5.336) were more likely to be infected with Plasmodium than under-five-year-old individuals. Rural residents (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.281-5.098), those who sleep or work outside at night (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.020-3.875), and individuals who did not use long-lasting insecticide-treated net (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.633-6.499) and had a family member with a history of malaria (AOR = 2.902, 95%CI = 1.671 - 5.041) had higher odds of acquiring Plasmodium infection than their counterparts.

Conclusion: In our study area, malaria was a major health problem, with P. vivax being the dominant species. Multiple environmental and behavioural factors were associated with the infection acquisition. Therefore, urgent holistic intervention is required.