Title: Prevalence of Malaria and Its Associated Factors Among Malaria Suspected Patients Attending at Hamusite Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia, a Cross Sectional Study, 2020
Abstract: Abstract BackgroundMalaria is a major public health problem which still results in illness and death. Despite efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity of malaria, the disease is still a prominent health problem in Ethiopia. This study, therefore, was undertaken to assess the prevalence of malaria and associated factors among symptomatic patients in northwest Ethiopia.MethodA facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2020 among 210 febrile patients attending at Hamusite health center, northwest Ethiopia. Thin and thick blood films were prepared from blood collected by finger puncture and from capillary blood buffy coat. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsOut of 210 malaria suspected participants, 61 (29.0%) were confirmed to be infected by Plasmodium species. Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection was detected in 41 (19.5%) participants while P.vivax mono-infection and mixed infections were detected in 10 (4.3%) participants each. Female participant and those having family members with history of malaria were at higher risk of acquiring Plasmodium infectionConclusionThe present study revealed that malaria continued to be the major public health problem in the study area. Therefore, community mobilization should be strengthening in order to improve implementation of malaria control activities.