Abstract:
Background: Malaria is protozoan disease caused by the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by
the bite of female Anopheles’ mosquito. It is one of the major public health problems in Ethiopia
and more than 68% people are at risk of malaria. Omo Kuraz one and two project sites were
endemic to malaria and mobile project employers experiencing malaria transmission.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of malaria parasite and associated
risk factors among mobile populations working at Omo Kuraz Sugar project sites I and II, South
Ethiopia.
Materials and Methods: Repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in Omo Kuraz Sugar
project sites, South Ethiopia from July 20, 2022/2023 to March 20, 2023/2024. Totally 1992
study participants were screened for malaria, 1850 Microscopically and 142 febrile cases by
rapid diagnostic test (RDT). SPSS version-27 statistical software was used to analyze the data.
Bivariate and Multivariable regression models with Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence
interval (CI) were used to assess risk factors. A P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically
significant.
Result: The overall prevalence of malaria was found to be 27.5% (n1992). Plasmodium
falciparum, 65.63% (359) was the dominant malaria species followed by plasmodium vivax,
28.9% and mixed infections, 5.47% (30) in two project sites. Males with odds of 2.33 (AOR=
2.33, CI: 1.15,4.65), age groups 18-24 years (AOR= 2.48, CI:1.37,4.8), migrant laborers (AOR=
3.21, CI: 2.8, 4.3), Workers from highland (AOR= 2.4, CI: 1.94, 4.47), study participants
screened at the start of data collection (July, AOR= 2.31, CI: 1.92, 4.67), workers spent much
time outdoor (AOR= 2.33, CI: 1.78, 5.48), not utilize ITNs (AOR= 2.09,CI: 1.92, 3.84) and
workers participated in irrigational practice (AOR= 3.22,CI: 1.86, 4.42) were significantly
associated malaria infection.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of malaria was found to be 27.5%. The risk factors
associated with Plasmodium infection include sex, age groups 18-24 years, residence, place of
origin, round of visits to the study areas, season of data collection, workers spent much time
outdoor, ITNs utilization trend and participating in irrigational practice
