Trend, Prevalence, and Determinants of Malaria Among Patients Attending at Gimbichu Primary Hospital, South Central Ethiopia

Running head: Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria Infection

Abstract

In the world, particularly in Ethiopia, malaria has a great influence on human health and economy. This study intended to determine the prevalence, trends and associated risk factors of malaria patients visiting Gimbichu Primary Hospital, Ethiopia. To assess the trend and parasitological examination, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out. To determine factors that significantly associated with infection, a bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The findings of the study revealed the overall malaria prevalence of 72.4% among suspected patients. The study also revealed that males (AOR = 3.5, 95%CI; 1.5 - 3.8, p<0.001), individuals under five years (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.2), 5-20 years (AOR= 1.75, 95% CI: 1.1 - 1.91) and 21-45 years (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.49) were at higher risk. Additionally, study participants living close to mosquito breeding sites (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 2.53 -4.14), rural (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.01 - 2.6), houses with thatch roof (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01-2.30), not using bed nets (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 2.01 - 4.1), homes with wall openings (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.57), monthly income of less than 1,000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.3 - 4.6), and pregnant women (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.57) had maximum risk for malaria infection. The analysis from the retrospective data showed the overall decreasing trend in malaria infection rates, despite the fluctuations recorded between 2015 - 2021. The study indicates that malaria is persistent and a significant public health challenge which is driven by a complex interrelationship of demographic, social, and environmental factors. Plasmodium vivax infection is the most prevalent species known to cause malaria in the study area. These findings necessitate targeted interventions focusing on housing improvements, economic support, and vector control measures.