FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA MORBIDITY AMONG SCHOOL -AGED CHILDREN IN THE EAST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Determining factors associated with malaria morbidity provides important insights into the changing malaria situation, which might guide adjustments of malaria program activities. School age children were highest malaria morbidity contributors in East Hararghe zone but little is known about the determinants. So, this study was used to addressing determinants of malaria morbidity among school age children in the East Hararghe Zone from February 1 to May 31, 2020. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 10 selected kebeles involving school age children (168 cases and 336 controls). A cases were test-confirmed malaria morbidity and the controls were test- negative for malaria children recruited by household visiting. Data were collected by trained health workers by using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed to determine the relationship and the associations between the independent and dependent variables by multivariate logistic regression. Results: Being urban resident (AOR =0.20, 95%CI: 0.07_0.62); those who had less than five family members (AOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.18_0.78) and those used LLIN last night (AOR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.10_0.35) were reduced odds of malaria morbidity to compared their counterpart. In contrast, those who were in lower wealth index category (AOR=2.50, 95%CI: 1.22_5.12) and proximity home to Stagnant water body (AOR=2.01, 95%CI: 1.14_3.54) were increased the odds of malaria morbidity to compared their counterpart. Conclusion: This study revealed the being rural resident, age group of children, more family size, educational status household head, lower economic status, proximity to stagnant water body, using LLIN, IRS in home and early treatment were factors associated with malaria morbidity. The evidence of this study is recommended the interventions such as using LLIN, IRS in home and early treatment may help to reducing malaria morbidity in school age children