PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDERN ATTENDING WOLKITE HEALTH CENTER, GURAGE ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA, 2022.

Abstract

Background: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites that belong to the Genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted to human via the bite of 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 60% P. falciparum and 40% P. vivax prevalence during peak malaria transmission time. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among under five years of age children in Gurage zone, Wolkite town, Attending Wolkite Health centere. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors among under five children patients who was visited Wolkite Health Centre from March to June 2022 G.C. Convenience sampling technique was used and data on socio demographic characteristics were collected by interviewing the study subjects using pre tested structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from the study subjects. Thick and thin smears were prepared and stained using Giemsa staining technique. The specimens were examined microscopically for the detection and identification of plasmodium species. Result: Out of 356 patients whose blood film was examined, 174 and 182 were male and females, respectively. The prevalence of malaria was 35 (9.8%) and from this 16(9.2%) and 19(10.4%) were male and female patients, respectively. P. vivax had the highest prevalence with 77.1%, while P. falciparum takes the remaining portion with mixed infection among the patients. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence is low compared with previous study due to several factors as explained in this study. But, effective malaria control measures should be implemented in order to reduce the prevalence of malaria among the under -fives more than this.