PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDED AT WOLKITE HEALTH CENTER, SOUTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the Genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected female anopheles’ mosquito. Malaria is usually restricted to tropical and subtropical areas with climatic conditions suitable for the development of the vector and parasite. Ethiopia is one of the malaria-endemic countries with an average of 60% and 40% due to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, respectively during peak malaria transmission time. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of malaria among patients attending Wolkite health center, South Central Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried from November to December 2020G.C. in Wolkite health center. A total of 260 study participants, selected by the consecutive sampling technique were included in this study. The study participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic characters. Tables and figures were used to summarize descriptive data. The frequency and proportions of malaria-infected study participants were also calculated. Result: From the total of enrolled study participants 96 (36.92%) were male and 164 (63.08%) were female. The total prevalence of malaria infection registered in the present study was 13.85% with 10.77% and 3.08% due to falciparum and vivax malaria, respectively. Malaria infection registered in this study were less in female (13.41%) than males (14.58%). Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of malaria in this study was 13.84%. From this, 22(13.41%) were female and 14(14.58%) were male. The most predominant species was p.falciparum 28(10.77%). Providing health education campaign for community and health interventions should be implemented to prevent and control the disease. Insecticide-treated bed-nets and indoor residual spraying should be provided to reduce disease transmission. Focusing about Environmental sanitation by eliminating the spreading site of mosquitoes and avoiding stagnant water in the community area