The prevalence rate and risk factors of malaria among under 5 years children at ُElguneid Hospital, Elgezira State

Abstract EN

Malaria is a major contributor to child ill health; more than 10 million of the world’s children die each year before reaching the age of five.

In Africa, where the majority of Malaria occurs, the highest mortality affects children less than 5 years of age.

The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence rate and risk factors of Malaria infection among children less than five years admitted to the Elguneid Hospital, Elgazeria State, Sudan.

A hospital based descriptive study was conducted and the data was obtained from the mothers of under five years children (n= 484) admitted to the hospital during the period July to September 2013.

The data were collected by questionnaire, blood samples were examined for Malaria parasites and the nutritional status was assessed with NCHS/WHO normalized reference for weight-height relationship.

The data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to determine the relationship between Malaria disease and different variables.

The study indicated that there was a significant statistical relationship between the wasted weight, family size, and monthly income of the family with Malaria infection.

Also, the study showed that (65%) of Malaria complication presented with diarrhea The prevalence rate among under 5 years was 22%, the study indicated that family income, mother level of education, and family size have significant bearing on Malaria infection.