Malaria Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Batwa Indigenous People of Kanungu District in Southwestern Uganda: Does “Place” Matter?

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria is an important disease, causing high morbidity and mortality, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Measuring malaria prevalence using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), particularly among a vulnerable population sub-group, is a vital public health step in discovering effective methods of prevention and control. This study set out to examine the association between "place" and other risk factors with malaria prevalence among Batwa Indigenous People (IP). Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study design was implemented. Two surveys January 2014 (n = 572) and April 2014 (n = 541) involving interviews and testing for malaria using mRDTs were conducted in 10 Batwa settlements where a total of 1113 Batwa of all ages were surveyed and tested. The data were first compiled in MS Excel and then imported and analyzed using STATA ver.14. Descriptive statistics, were generated, followed by bivariable and multivariable regression model analysis to establish associations between the predictor and outcome variables with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Overall prevalence was 13.94% (n = 146). There is a significant relationship between settlement (place) and malaria prevalence AOR 11.7, 95% CI (1.38 -98.93), p-value = 0.02. More males 16.97% (n = 84) tested positive compared to females 11.23% (n = 62) but there was no statistically significant association between gender and mRDT (p-value > 0.005). Children less than 5 years registered high prevalence and there was a significant relationship between age and How to cite this paper: Namanya, D.B.,

Schistosoma mansoni coinfection is associated with high Plasmodium falciparum infection intensity among 10 -15 year old children living along the Albert Nile in Uganda

“…The frequency of P. falciparum infections was higher in males compared to females with Chi-squared p-value of 0.04. This may be attributed to a variety of factors including lifestyle as previously shown [11,30,31].…”

“…Despite control measures such as use of mosquito nets or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), Uganda has the third highest malaria incidence after Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo [3] in Africa. In Uganda, malaria is predominantly caused by Plasmodium falciparum and infections are transmitted throughout the year [11]. High prevalence of malaria has been reported around Lake Albert [12].…”