FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Nasser Ashaba; Janet Mary Atai; Tom Murungi; Florence Layet; Marvin  Musinguzi; Freda Amito; Anne Ruth Akello; Eustes Kigongo; Marc Sam Opollo

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1530

Authors

Nasser Ashaba Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Janet Mary Atai Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Tom Murungi Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda.
Florence Layet Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Marvin Musinguzi Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Freda Amito Department of Public Health Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Anne Ruth Akello Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda
Eustes Kigongo
Marc Sam Opollo Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1530

Keywords:

Malaria, Prevalence, University Students

Abstract

Background

Malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries. Lira district remains an endemic area for malaria in Uganda, greatly impacting the lives of many. The study investigated the factors associated with Malaria prevalence among Lira University students at Lira University Teaching Hospital, Lira City.

Methodology

A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted among 340 participants between March and April 2023. Participants were sampled by convenience sampling and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 26 at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Binary logistic regression both at bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Qualitative data was collected from 16 purposively sampled participants using an in-depth interview guide and was analyzed manually through thematic content analysis.

Results

A total of 340 participants were recruited, achieving a 100% response rate. The majority 248(76.5%) of the participants were aged 18-24. Half, 165(50.9%) were males, most, 263(81.2%) were single, and 208(64.2%) were unemployed. About a third, 119(36.7%) and 121(37.3%) were Anglicans and were from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery respectively. The prevalence of malaria among the students was 13.3% (95% CI=9.6 - 16.99). The factors associated with the malaria prevalence were; staying around bushy areas (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05-3.92) and use of mosquito repellants (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.09-4.04). Qualitatively, most participants reported bushy environments and stagnant water to be contributing to the high prevalence.

Conclusion

The prevalence of malaria among students was 13.3%. The study starkly illustrates that mosquito repellents provide little to no protection against malaria, whereas lingering near overgrown, bushy areas significantly heightens the risk of contracting the disease.

Recommendation

There is a need for a wide-ranging and coordinated approach to malaria prevention and control, encompassing environmental management and personal protective measures.

References

Crutcher JM, Hoffman SL. Malaria. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology [Internet]. 4th ed. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; 1996 [cited 2023 Nov 9]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8584/

CDC. CDC - Malaria - Malaria Worldwide - Impact of Malaria [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Nov 9]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/impact.html

WHO. World Malaria Report 2022 | Medicines for Malaria Venture [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Nov 11]. Available from: https://www.mmv.org/newsroom/news-resources-search/world-malaria-report-2022?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInuD2vMHUiQMVEZhoCR3Xhzf_EAAYASAAEgJpG_D_BwE

WHO [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Sep 14]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria

MOH. Weekly Malaria Report - Week 36 | MOH Knowledge Management Portal [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 9]. Available from: http://library.health.go.ug/communicable-disease/malaria/weekly-malaria-report-week-36

MoH [Internet]. How Can We End Malaria? 2021 [cited 2024 Sep 14]. Available from: https://endingmalaria.org/uganda/

SURMa [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Sep 2]. Available from: https://www.malariaconsortium.org/projects/surma

Tugume A, Muneza F, Oporia F, Kiconco A, Kihembo C, Kisakye AN, et al. Effects and Factors Associated With Indoor Residual Spraying With Actellic 300 CS on Malaria Morbidity in Lira District, Northern Uganda. 2019 [cited 2022 Jul 21]; Available from: http://ir.umu.ac.ug/xmlui/handle/20.500.12280/2998. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-2681-6

Monitor [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Sep 14]. Sketch. Available from: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/malaria-lango-records-232-000-cases-in-2-months-4342812

Unpublished data. Lira University Hospital [Internet]. Lira university. . [cited 2024 Nov 11]. Available from: https://lirauni.ac.ug/lira-university-hospital/

Patrick. Monitor. 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 9]. Lira grapples with high malaria cases. Available from: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lira-grapples-with-high-malaria-cases-3872314

Warsame A, Ssenku J, Okurut S, Mpagi J, Iramiot J, Kudamba A, et al. Malaria Prevalence and Risk Factors in University Communities of Eastern Uganda: A Case of Islamic University in Uganda. 2021. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-232868/v1

Maia MF, Kliner M, Richardson M, Lengeler C, Moore SJ. Mosquito repellents for malaria prevention. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Feb 6;2(2): CD011595. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011595.pub2

Nyasa RB, Fotabe EL, Ndip RN. Trends in malaria prevalence and risk factors associated with the disease in Nkongho-mbeng; a typical rural setting in the equatorial rainforest of the South West Region of Cameroon. PLOS ONE. 2021 May 18;16(5):e0251380. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251380

WHO [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Nov 17]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malaria