# Prevalence of malaria and associated factors among febrile cases attending in Soyama Health Centre, Burji Special Woreda, Southern Ethiopia: a retrospective and an institution-based cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study found that malaria remains a significant public health issue in Burji Special Woreda, Ethiopia, with 22.4% of febrile cases testing positive.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for malaria in the region, such as housing type and mosquito breeding sites.

## Key findings

- 22.4% of febrile cases tested positive for malaria in the study area.
- Male gender, grass thatched houses, and mosquito breeding sites were significantly associated with malaria.
- Malaria prevalence fluctuated between 2018 and 2022, with an average of 27.2%.

## Abstract

Burji special Woreda is one of the malaria endemic areas in Southern Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among febrile cases in Burji special Woreda.

Institutional based cross-sectional study conducted from November 2022 to January 2023. The trend of malaria prevalence was determined based on five years malaria retrospective data (2018–2022). Blood samples were collected from 317 suspected febrile cases to determine the prevalence of malaria in the study area. Thin and thick blood smears were prepared, stained with 10% Giemsa and examined under light microscope. The data on socio-demographic and other determinant factors were collected by interviewers administered pre-tested questionnaire for suspected febrile cases. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done using SPSS software version 20.

Among febrile cases, 22.4% (71/317) were positive for malaria. Being male (P-value = 0.026), living in grass thatched house (P-value = 0.044), availability of mosquito breeding site around residents (p-value = 0.044) and not providing IRS regularly (p-value = 0.008) were significantly associated with Plasmodium infection. Based on five years retrospective data (2018–2022), the prevalence of malaria was 27.2% in the study area. The prevalence of malaria showed fluctuating trend between 2018 and 2022 in the study area. Malaria is still prevalent in Burji special Woreda and remains the major public health problems in study area. Interventions against malaria have to be strengthened in order to reduce the burden of malaria in Burji Special Woreda. Furthermore, continuous research on the magnitude of malaria and its associated factors is needed to eliminate the disease from the study area.