THE DYNAMICS OF MALARIA PARASITE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG MOBILE POPULATIONS WORKING AT OMO KURAZ SUGAR PROJECT SITES I AND II, SOUTH ETHIOPIA: REPEATED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

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% (n1992). 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