| dc.description.abstract | Introduction:
It is noted globally over 95 countries and territories have on going malaria transmission with
an estimated 3.2 billion people who are at risk of getting infected. The WHO indicates that
214 million people are infected with malaria worldwide and of these 438,000cases result in
deaths. Children below five years are the most susceptible to malaria illness which accounts
for estimated deaths of 303,000 before reaching age five globally and 292,000 occur in the
African region (WHO world malaria report 2016).
Objective:
To determining the prevalence of malaria and the associated risk factors among children
below 5 years in Nakaloke HC III, Nakaloke town council in Mbale district.
Methodology:
The study was a quantitative and cross section survey which involved a sample size of 243
care takers of 243 children below the age of five who attended Nakaloke HCIII. A convenient
sampling method allowed data to be collected about malaria prevalence and the associated
factors simultaneously in the months of August and September 2017.
Results:
The prevalence of malaria was high 118(48.6%) and the factors that were significant with
malaria prevalence included; house hold source of light (x 2 = 8.560, P=0.036), care taker
knowledge of signs and symptoms (loss of appetite) x 2 =4.023, P=0.045) and environmental
factor about presence of garbage heaps (x 2 =4.322, P=0.038).
Conclusion:
Prevalence of malaria was high and it was influenced by house hold source of light,
knowledge and signs and symptoms of malaria and garbage heaps around the homes.
Recommendations:
This study recommended that caretakers should not stop at having knowledge about malaria
prevention transmission, but should have a positive attitude on the implement of the
preventive measures. Health unit workers, community health workers and VHTs together
with stakeholders should put in more effort to ensure that information about malaria is
communicated to the caretakers in languages best under stood and should mainly target the
vulnerable households in the community. The town council authorities and local leaders need
to work with community to ensure proper garbage disposal. The Town council health team
has to liaise with the district health team to strengthen the health system on prevention and
control of malaria through sustainable messages like posters on malaria, TV messages and
programs on malaria. Lobby for electricity in all the households of the town council. | en_US |
