PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN BELOW 10YEARS ATTENDING PAEDIATRIC CLINIC AT KIUTH

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Malaria is considered one of the global health problems causing close to a million deaths each year. Ninety percent of these deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and 70% of the deaths are of children under 10 years of age. Malaria is the leading cause of outpatient, inpatient and admissions of children less than ten years of age at health facilities in Uganda. Uganda's high rates of malaria disproportionately affect young children below 10 years and pregnant women in rural areas who experience extreme poverty, limited access to healthcare services, and lack of education.

Objective of the study: To determine the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among children below 10years attending paediatric clinic at KIUTH.

Methods: Descriptive Cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected using questionnaire and Malaria prevalence was captured used microscopy (Blood smear)

Results In this study population, 65% of patients tested with blood smear turned positive while the minority 35% turned negative, females 55% were more affected than males 45%. The majority of the patients presented with more than one clinical signs and symptom, though the biggest number of children had fever and hyperpyrexia 90%, 88% had no appetite and the smallest population had cerebral malaria 3%.

Conclusion: Malaria is high as 65% and most affected children range between 12-60months, 55% were much affected as compared to males 45%. Over 89% of children presented with hyper pyrexia

Recommendation: There is need to scale up sensitization of communities on malaria at all levels in Bushenyi District. Also there is need to screen all children for malaria on monthly basis for prevention purposes.