Prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among children of local farmers in Central Malawi

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years in Malawi, and especially among those from rural areas of central Malawi. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among children in rural areas of Dowa district in central Malawi. Methods: A multistage, cross-sectional study design was used to systematically sample 523 child-mother dyads from postnatal clinics. A survey was administered to mothers and a rapid malaria infection diagnostic test was administered to children. The main outcome was positive malaria diagnostic tests in children. Logistic regressions were used to determine risk factors associated with malaria among children aged 2 to 59 months. Results: The prevalence of malaria among children under 5 years was 35.4%. Results suggest that children of mothers who experienced recent intimate partner violence (IPV) were more likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.19-2.97; P = 0.007) than children of mothers who did not. Children of mothers who had no formal education were more likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.24-6.19; P = 0.013) than children of mothers who had received secondary education. Children aged 2 to 5 months and 6 to 11 months were less likely to be diagnosed with malaria (AOR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.10-0.46; P = 0.000 and AOR: 0.43; 95% CI 0.22-0.85; P = 0.016, respectively) than children aged 24 to 59 months. Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria infection among children in the study area was comparable to the national level. In addition to available malaria control programmes, further attention should be paid to children whose mothers have no formal education, children aged 24 to 59 months, and children of mothers that are exposed to IPV in the area.

Profiling malaria infection among under-five children in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“…older children [34][35][36]. Findings also show that the higher the level of a mother's education, the lower the prevalence of malaria among under-five children.…”

“…First, younger children may be protected from malaria because of the antibodies they acquire from their mother during pregnancy and during breastfeeding [ 33 ]. Second, younger children in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including DRC, share a bed with their mother and are more likely to be covered properly with a blanket or an ITN than older children [ 34 – 36 ]. Fig 3 shows the proportion of under-five children who slept under an ITN the night preceding the study by age in DRC.…”

“…Findings also show that the higher the level of a mother’s education, the lower the prevalence of malaria among under-five children. Previous studies reported that mothers with higher levels of education were more knowledgeable about malaria prevention and signs and were therefore more proactive and reactive regarding prevention than mothers with lower levels of education [ 34 , 37 – 40 ]. In 2018, the proportion of under-five children who slept under an ITN was higher (more than 60%) among children of the most educated mothers (secondary education or higher), compared to children whose mothers did not reach that level of education (36% for children whose mothers did not attend school and 46% for children whose mothers attended only primary school) [ 39 ].…”

Prevalence and determinants of intimate partner violence against mothers of children under-five years in Central Malawi

“…This finding is consistent with the literature in SSA that found that marital infidelity by men was a significant trigger of IPV against women [ 1 , 49 ]. Studies have shown that when women confront their partners after discovering their infidelity, some partners respond aggressively, which can escalate into emotional or physical violence [ 50 ].…”

Impact of COVID-19 policy measures on food insecurity among urban residents in Blantyre City, Malawi

“…Understanding the nexus between COVID-19 measures and food security in the Malawian context is crucial for effective implementation of interventions that can help reduce the risk of being food insecure while preventing further spread of the virus. Food insecurity is linked to child stunting and this is a big problem in Malawi as evidenced in the central region (Chilanga, 2020). However, there is gulf in knowledge of how COVID-19 policy measures have led to urban food insecurity among urban residents in Malawi.…”