Determinants of prevalence of malaria in children below the age of five years : case study - Kanyanya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore in details the statistical analysis for the prevalence of malaria in children below the age of five years, taking Kanyanya as the case study. The study examined female and male residents, with a sample size (n=138). Respondents included 79 male students and 59 female students obtained by simple random sampling. Data was analysed using frequency tables and percentages in STATA. Since the odds ratio for gender (males) is (0.7492738), males are less likely to suffer serious malaria compared to females. An odds ratio of (0.918639) for age 41 and above years in the context of logistic regression suggests that individual’s age increases to 41 years and above, the odds of being seriously affected by malaria decreases. Respondents who have reached secondary school as the highest level of education are more likely to suffer from serious malaria than the rest. An odds ratio for those who have heard malaria is 1; this therefore indicates that there is an equal likelihood of seriousness of malaria with those who have ever heard about malaria. Respondents who had none of the above symptoms are equally likely to suffer serious malaria compared to others. Respondents who are unaware of the methods to prevent malaria are more likely to suffer serious malaria. Respondents who have never diagnosed any child under five years with malaria suffer from serious malaria compared to those who have ever. Respondents are who know the actions taken when a child under five years shows symptoms of malaria are equally likely to suffer from serious malaria. Respondents who moderately access healthcare in Kanyanya for children under the age of five years are more likely to suffer from serious malaria compared to the rest. Respondents who take Sleeping under treated mosquito nets & cleaning my compound as measures to reduce malaria are more likely to suffer from serious malaria compared to others. The study intended to be of significant help to the university and the school of statistics and planning to provide important opportunities for researchers to investigate the epidemiology and transmission of the disease, including the identification of the risk factors and the development of the new prevention strategies. The findings intended to inform the policy makers about the burden of malaria among children and the effectiveness of existing interventions which will enable proper allocation of resources to combat the disease.