Factors associated with malaria prevalence among children aged 0–5 years in Karamoja Region

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding and assessing the different socio-economic, malaria, and health-related factors influencing malaria prevalence among children aged 0–5 years in the Karamoja region. The study used the 2016 UDHS children dataset for children aged 0–5 years. The analysis focused on 247 children to whom the children’s questionnaire was administered. Frequencies and p-values were used to determine the relationship between malaria prevalence and socio-economic, malaria, and health-related factors. According to the results of the study, approximately 72.3% of the respondents had not attended any education, while 0.6% attended higher education as required by the health standards. In the Karamoja region, floor material, bicycle ownership, and electricity were the most important determinants influencing malaria prevalence among children aged 0–5 years. However, the study recommends strengthening the provision of information, use of mosquito bed nets, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, use of insect repellent, and staying in air-conditioned or well-screened areas. These measures would help reduce the prevalence of malaria among children aged 0–5 years.