Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors Among Patients Attending Finote Selam General Hospital, West Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia
Abrhi Tsehay, Sissay Menkir, Habtamu MekonnenBackground
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a significant health issue in Ethiopia, including the current study area. However, its epidemiology and associated factors are not well understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among patients attending Finote Selam General Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted at Finote Selam General Hospital in April–May 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and other explanatory variables from 424 randomly selected participants. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate malaria prevalence. Pearson’s chi‐square test examined the relationship between malaria cases and independent factors. Bivariate logistic regression identified variables with p values < 0.25, which were then included in multivariate logistic regression. Differences with p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Out of 424 blood samples, 93 (21.9%) were malaria‐positive. Among these cases, 69.9% were P . falciparum , 23.7% were P . vivax , and 6.5% were mixed infections. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associated factors: age group ( p = 0.001), participant’s residence ( p < 0.001), occupation ( p < 0.001), and family income ( p = 0.002), knowledge of malaria prevention ( p = 0.036), environmental sanitation ( p = 0.032), stagnant water near home ( p < 0.001), and ITN usage ( p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Malaria remains an important public health concern in the study area. Several demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors were significantly associated with malaria infection. Strengthening existing malaria prevention and control measures and conducting further entomological and longitudinal studies are recommended.