MAGNITUDE OF MALARIA, ASSOCIATED FACTORS, AND ITS EFFECTS ON COAGULATION AND HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILES AMONG ADULT PATIENTS AT WOLKITE UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED TEACHING HOSPITAL, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a significant global health issue, affecting hematologicaland coagulation profiles. Though there have been many studies on the magnitude ofmalaria and its associated factors worldwide, studies are limited in this study area.Objective: To assess the prevalence of malaria associated factors, and its effects oncoagulation and hematological profiles among adult patients at Wolkite UniversitySpecialized Teaching Hospital from February to April 2024.Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 286 malaria suspected patients wasconducted using a consecutive sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic, clinicalhistory were collected using a structured questionnaire. Coagulation profile analysisusing Urit 610 coagulometer, hematology profile analysis using a Zybio Z30 hematologyanalyzer, and blood film microscopy. Data was entered into EpiData 3.1 and transferredto SPSS version 26 for analysis. Binary logistic regression, the Mann-Whitney U test, andreceiver operating characteristic were employed to analyze the data. Statisticalsignificance was set at a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05.Results: The prevalence of malaria was 41 (14.3%). Risk factors included a history ofmalaria (AOR = 3.724, 95% CI: 1.316-10.537), stagnant water near homes (AOR =4.118, 95% CI: 1.801-9.413), and nighttime outdoor exposure (AOR = 4.505, 95% CI:1.677-12.106). Travel history (AOR = 3.365, 95% CI: 1.238-9.146) increased infectionrisk, while insecticide-treated net use was significantly protective (AOR = 6.208, 95%CI: 2.380-16.191). Malaria-infected patients exhibited prolonged prothrombin time andactivated partial thromboplastic time compared to non-infected. White blood cell counts,neutrophils, and monocytes were elevated. Red blood cells, and hemoglobin, plateletswere decreased. The best diagnostic values for malaria were monocyte count, red celldistribution width, and platelet distribution width.Conclusions: Community awareness is necessary to promote regular screening forindividuals with a history of malaria, eliminate stagnant water near homes, encourage theuse of insecticide-treated nets, and highlight the risks of nighttime outdoor exposure.Healthcare providers should closely monitor the impact of malaria on coagulation andhematological profiles to optimize diagnostic strategies and predict disease severity