Burden of malaria in children under five and caregivers’ health-seeking behaviour for malaria-related symptoms in artisanal mining communities in Ghana

Abstract

Background Artisanal mining creates enabling breeding ground for the vector of malaria parasites. There is paucity of data on the effects of artisanal mining on malaria. This study assessed burden of malaria and caregivers’ health-seeking behaviour for children under five in artisanal mining communities in East Akim District in Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study involving caregivers and their children under five was conducted in three artisanal mining communities in the East Akim District in Ghana. Caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Finger prick blood samples were collected and analysed for haemoglobin concentration using a rapid diagnostic test, and thick and thin blood smears were analysed to confirm the presence of malaria parasites. Results Of the 372 children under 5 years included in the study, 197 (53.1%) were male, with a mean age (± SD) of 23.0 ± 12.7 months. The proportion of children with malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae) was 98.1% and 1.9%, respectively, whilst the proportion with anaemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dl) was 39.5% (n = 147). Almost all caregivers were female (98.9%), and 28.6% (n = 106) did not have access to any malaria control information. Caregivers associated malaria infection with mosquito bites (68.3%, n = 254) and poor sanitation (21.2%, n = 79). Malaria in children under five was significantly associated with anaemia (OR 11.07, 95% CI 6.59–18.68, n = 111/160, 69.4%; P < 0.0001), residing close to stagnant water (≤ 25 m) from an artisanal mining site (AOR 2.91, 95% CI 1.47–5.76, P = 0.002) and caregiver age younger than 30 years (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.208–0.917, n = 162, 43.55%, P = 0.001). Conclusions There is a high burden of malaria and anaemia among children under five in artisanal mining communities of the East Akim District, and far higher than in non-artisanal mining sites. Interventions are needed to effectively regulate mining activities in these communities, and strengthen malaria control and health education campaigns to curtail the high malaria burden and improve health-seeking behaviour. Graphical abstract

Prevalence and associated risk factors of malaria among febrile under-five children visiting health facilities in Ziquala district, Northeast Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

“…This result was comparable to a study conducted in Arsi Negele, Ethiopia (22.8%) [ 16 ], Arba Minch Zuria District, South Ethiopia (22.1%) [ 17 ] and Nigeria (22.6%) [ 18 ]. In contrast, the prevalence determined in this study showed a lower prevalence of malaria than a study conducted in Mali (35.4%) [ 19 ], Ghana (43.0%) [ 20 ] and Cameron (28.8%) [ 21 ]. The low prevalence of malaria parasites in this study could be due to seasonal variations, as the current study was conducted in a minor malaria transmission season.…”

“…Children whose mother/caregiver had never received malaria health education in the previous 6 months had a greater risk of infection than those whose mother/caregiver had received. This finding was also supported by the previous studies done in Uganda and Ghana [ 20 , 49 ].…”

Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on complicated malaria admissions and outcomes in the paediatric Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana

“…With a total of over 135,000 cases, and slightly over 1000 deaths, as at December 2021 [19], many in the country were indeed afraid of contracting the virus, which might have reduced their health seeking behaviour [17]. Malaria among children is still a significant public health issue in Ghana and one of the common reasons for hospital visits and admission [20,21]. With reports suggesting that malaria contributes significantly to hospital visits and admissions [21], it is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restriction of movements could have decrease access to healthcare or delayed seeking care among children with malaria.…”

“…Malaria among children is still a significant public health issue in Ghana and one of the common reasons for hospital visits and admission [20,21]. With reports suggesting that malaria contributes significantly to hospital visits and admissions [21], it is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restriction of movements could have decrease access to healthcare or delayed seeking care among children with malaria. In fact, the mere fear of contracting COVID-19, especially during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the hospital was perceived by some parents as an infection hub, could significantly have contributed to high hesitancy in seeking appropriate healthcare for children with malaria.…”

Demographic and socio-economic factors affecting bed net ownership, usage, and malaria transmission among adult patients seeking healthcare in two Ghanaian urban cities

“…Nonetheless, adults living in urban areas are prone to malaria [20], therefore they must be considered when designing and implementing malaria control strategies. Although some previous studies have reported on the relationship between socio-demographic factors and bed net ownership, usage and malaria transmission among vulnerable sub-populations [4,17,21,22], such information is lacking among the urban adult population. This paper seeks to examine socio-economic and demographic factors affecting bed net ownership, usage and malaria transmission among adult patients seeking healthcare in two Ghanaian urban cities.…”