Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Malaria is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries including
Ethiopia. Its prevalence has been declining among Ethiopian adults, especially in Dembia district. However, it is still
at the top of diseases list at the district. Hence, the study aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors that
contribute to its being the major public health concern despite different preventive and control measures in place.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 11 to November 16, 2017. The
multistage sampling technique was employed to select 832 study participants. A rapid diagnostic test were used to
confirm the disease. Data were entered using Epi info version 7 and was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) version 20. The logistic regression model was performed to examine the association of factors with
malaria parasite.
Results: Out of the 832 adults included in the study, 6.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI: 5.2–8.7)) were confirmed to
be malaria parasite carriers. The dominant plasmodium species was Plasmodium falciparum [46 (82%)]. According to
the multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR = 4.5; 95%CI: 2.1–9.5), adult age
15–19 years (AOR = 4.5; 95%CI: 2.1–9.7), travel history (AOR = 5; 95%CI: 2.34–12.25), and stagnant water around home
(AOR = 3.7; 95%CI: 1.57–8.87) increased the probability of malaria infectivity, while Insecticidal Treated Nets (ITN)
utilization (AOR = 0.2; 95%CI: 0.09–0.31) decreased it.
Conclusion: Malaria is still an important public health challenge among adults in the study area. Male sex, age 15–19
years, travel history, living around stagnant water, and not using ITN increased the probability of infection. Therefore,
the District Health office and Health extension workers should work to increase ITN distribution and focus on reducing
malaria breading sites through community participation.
