Factors Associated With Reported Severe Malaria In Children Under Five At The Kintampo Municipal Hospita

ABSTRACT Malaria remains a major public health problem in Africa. An estimated 525,600 people died of malaria in 2013. The burden of malaria is heaviest in children less than 5 years who account for about 78 percent of all deaths. There was an increasing trend of reported severe malaria cases at the Kintampo Municipal hospital since 2012. This study was done to determine the association between household and community factors and severe malaria in children less than five years using a case control study. The cases were children less than five years who were on admission between March and June 2016. Controls were children less than five years who were treated for malaria on outpatient department during the same period. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Data was cleaned and analyzed using STATA 13 software. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed on explanatory variables such as household size, level of education, bednet use, locality, distance to health facility, with severe malaria as the response variable. The study showed that children who had electricity in their homes were less likely to get severe malaria (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22–0.96, P=0.007). Also, children who lived in urban areas had 3.50 times higher risk of getting severe malaria as compared to children living in the rural areas (OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.40–8.76 P=0.008). Also, children who were sent to the hospital within 24 hours were less likely to develop severe malaria (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25-0.97, P=0.006). Availability of electricity, locality and time of seeking treatment were significantly associated with severe malaria in children at the Kintampo Municipal hospital. Intensifying health education on the need for caregivers to send their children to health facilities for prompt and effective treatment could help reduce severe malaria in children.