Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major public health concern, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited. School-aged children are a vulnerable population group that is at high risk of malaria infection due to their exposure to mosquito bites and lack of immunity. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasite infections among school-aged children in rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted in several rural communities, where a total of 500 school-aged children were included. Malaria parasite infections were assessed through both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. Additionally, socio-demographic data and information on bed net usage were collected through structured questionnaires. The results revealed a high prevalence of malaria parasite infections among school-aged children in rural areas, with approximately 40% of the study participants testing positive for malaria. The majority of the infections were caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most common and virulent species in the region. Notably, children living in households with poor access to healthcare services and those with lower socio-economic status were found to have a higher risk of malaria infection. Furthermore, the study found that bed net usage was suboptimal among the study participants, with less than half reporting consistent use of bed nets. This highlights the importance of improving access to and utilization of preventive measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce the burden of malaria among school-aged children in rural areas. In conclusion, the findings of this study underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the high prevalence of malaria parasite infections among school-aged children in rural areas. Efforts should focus on improving access to healthcare services, promoting the use of bed nets, and implementing effective malaria control strategies. By addressing these challenges, it is possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with malaria in this vulnerable population group and contribute to the overall goal of malaria elimination.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Malaria is a major public health problem and cause of much suffering and premature death in the poorer areas of tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America particularly among young children (Cheesbrough, 2010). Children under five years of age are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. There was an estimated 438,000 malaria deaths around the world in 2015 of which approximately 69% were in children under five years of age. In high transmission areas, partial immunity to the disease is acquired during childhood. In such settings, the majority of malarial disease and particularly severe disease with rapid progression to death occurs in young children without acquired immunity. Severe anaemia, hypoglycaemia and cerebral malaria are features of malaria more commonly seen in children than in adults (WHO 2016).

Malaria is an infection caused by parasites of the Plasmodium species. There are four major species of the parasite that infect man. These are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. P. Knowlesi  is rare.