| dc.description.abstract | Malaria is a major public health problem affecting mainly children under the age of
five that have not yet, developed partial immunity to overcome severe consequences of the
disease. Uganda ranks third in the Sub Sahara Africa region, unfortunately majority of the
deaths are of infants and children under age five.
This study investigates the determinants of malaria morbidity in children under the age of
five in Uganda using findings from the UDHS 2016. At descriptive level of analysis, it was
discovered that, majority (34.1%) of the children had malaria morbidity and were aged 15-34
months with a large proportion were from rural areas (78.8%). Half of the children were boys
and almost a half (49.0%) of the respondent had their finger/ heel pricked to test for malaria.
The study based on secondary data analysis of the Uganda Demographic Health Survey
(UDHS) 2016 database of children under-five years of age (0-4, n=15270), which research
design measures various variables and can show the relationship and effects between and
among variables. Chi square tests were used to establish the relationship between dependent
and independent variables, a highly significant relationship existed between Malaria
Morbidity and Age in Months, Residence, Blood taken for testing, Malaria Morbidity,
Children slept under Mosquito Net, Place where treatment was sought from, wealth status,
mother’s education and Region. However, there was no relationship with Child’s Sex,
evidenced by P-value >0.005. This clearly portrays that all children were equally at risk of
the disease irrespective of their sex.
In conclusion, social economic factors like wealth status, place of residence, mother’s
education, place where treatment was sought from, pricking finger/ heels for testing had a
significant effect on malaria morbidity in children under the age of five years. In addition
demographic factors such as age were highly significant with malaria morbidity
We recommend the need to support effective responses for reduction of poverty as a way to
over to over the malaria burden in children under age 5. This is through Innovative economic
programs, education and awareness raising programs. There is also an urgent need for future
research on a suitable vaccine for infants and to ensure a close collaboration of donors,
national government and NGOs in a bid to extend public intervention to the majority of
people in rural area and account majority of the malaria cases. | |
