PREVALENCE OF MALARIA INFECTION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SHASHEMENE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT School age children are reservoirs of infection in many malaria endemic areas as they carry malaria parasites without symptoms, which could be a potential threat for malaria control and elimination strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria in school children and the risk factors in Shashemene district. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2018. A total of 600 school children were included from two selected primary schools using a systematic random sampling technique. The children were tested for malaria parasite using microscopy. Questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic data and malaria vector control related risk factors. Binary logistic regression was employed and all variables with P-value less than 0.05 were associated with malaria cases. Eight participants were found to be positive for malaria parasite. The overall prevalence of malaria in asymptomatic children was 1.33% (8/600) (95% CI: 0.57-2.6). 0.33% school children had P. falciparum (95% CI: 0.05-1.1) and 1% had P. vivax infection (95% CI: 0.4-2.1). The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection did not correlate with sex and age of the school children. 94.5% of respondents had at least one long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) and the coverage of indoor residual spray (IRS) was 71%. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that those households found <1000m from mosquito breeding sites (95% CI: 1.96-1.99, P = 0.07) and close to the stagnant water and swampy area (P = 0.09) had more risk for malaria infection but not statistically significant. ITN and IRS coverage and other socio-demographics variables were also not significantly associated with malaria cases. Although the association was not significant, household having a family size of above 6 were at increased odds of getting malaria compared to families with 1-3 members (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.15-15.5, P = 0.67). Low malaria prevalence was recorded in urban (1%) than rural school children (2%) (P= 0.98). Moreover, low bed net usage rate was observed among school children. In conclusion, asymptomatic school age children and low usage of LLINs in this age group could be a potential threat for malaria control