FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries. Lira district remains an endemic area for malaria in Uganda, greatly impacting the lives of many. The study investigated the factors associated with Malaria prevalence among Lira University students at Lira U...

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Main Authors: Nasser Ashaba, Janet Mary Atai, Tom Murungi, Florence Layet, Marvin Musinguzi, Freda Amito, Anne Ruth Akello, Eustes Kigongo, Marc Sam Opollo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Student's Journal of Health Research 2025-03-01
Series:Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
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Online Access:https://sjhresearchafrica.org/index.php/public-html/article/view/1530
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author Nasser Ashaba
Janet Mary Atai
Tom Murungi
Florence Layet
Marvin Musinguzi
Freda Amito
Anne Ruth Akello
Eustes Kigongo
Marc Sam Opollo
author_facet Nasser Ashaba
Janet Mary Atai
Tom Murungi
Florence Layet
Marvin Musinguzi
Freda Amito
Anne Ruth Akello
Eustes Kigongo
Marc Sam Opollo
author_sort Nasser Ashaba
collection DOAJ
description Background Malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries. Lira district remains an endemic area for malaria in Uganda, greatly impacting the lives of many. The study investigated the factors associated with Malaria prevalence among Lira University students at Lira University Teaching Hospital, Lira City. Methodology A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted among 340 participants between March and April 2023. Participants were sampled by convenience sampling and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 26 at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Binary logistic regression both at bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Qualitative data was collected from 16 purposively sampled participants using an in-depth interview guide and was analyzed manually through thematic content analysis. Results A total of 340 participants were recruited, achieving a 100% response rate. The majority 248(76.5%) of the participants were aged 18-24. Half, 165(50.9%) were males, most, 263(81.2%) were single, and 208(64.2%) were unemployed. About a third, 119(36.7%) and 121(37.3%) were Anglicans and were from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery respectively. The prevalence of malaria among the students was 13.3% (95% CI=9.6 - 16.99). The factors associated with the malaria prevalence were; staying around bushy areas (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05-3.92) and use of mosquito repellants (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.09-4.04). Qualitatively, most participants reported bushy environments and stagnant water to be contributing to the high prevalence. Conclusion The prevalence of malaria among students was 13.3%. The study starkly illustrates that mosquito repellents provide little to no protection against malaria, whereas lingering near overgrown, bushy areas significantly heightens the risk of contracting the disease. Recommendation There is a need for a wide-ranging and coordinated approach to malaria prevention and control, encompassing environmental management and personal protective measures.
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spelling doaj-art-3d7e5eb9de2141a4b86bd9670e0679cc2025-08-20T02:42:11ZengStudent's Journal of Health ResearchStudent's Journal of Health Research Africa2709-99972025-03-0163110https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1530FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. Nasser Ashaba0Janet Mary Atai 1Tom Murungi 2Florence Layet 3Marvin Musinguzi 4Freda Amito 5Anne Ruth Akello 6Eustes Kigongo 7Marc Sam Opollo 8Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, UgandaDepartment of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda. Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, UgandaDepartment of Public Health Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, Uganda Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. BOX 1035, Lira City, UgandaDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira City, Uganda. Background Malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries. Lira district remains an endemic area for malaria in Uganda, greatly impacting the lives of many. The study investigated the factors associated with Malaria prevalence among Lira University students at Lira University Teaching Hospital, Lira City. Methodology A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted among 340 participants between March and April 2023. Participants were sampled by convenience sampling and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 26 at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Binary logistic regression both at bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Qualitative data was collected from 16 purposively sampled participants using an in-depth interview guide and was analyzed manually through thematic content analysis. Results A total of 340 participants were recruited, achieving a 100% response rate. The majority 248(76.5%) of the participants were aged 18-24. Half, 165(50.9%) were males, most, 263(81.2%) were single, and 208(64.2%) were unemployed. About a third, 119(36.7%) and 121(37.3%) were Anglicans and were from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery respectively. The prevalence of malaria among the students was 13.3% (95% CI=9.6 - 16.99). The factors associated with the malaria prevalence were; staying around bushy areas (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05-3.92) and use of mosquito repellants (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.09-4.04). Qualitatively, most participants reported bushy environments and stagnant water to be contributing to the high prevalence. Conclusion The prevalence of malaria among students was 13.3%. The study starkly illustrates that mosquito repellents provide little to no protection against malaria, whereas lingering near overgrown, bushy areas significantly heightens the risk of contracting the disease. Recommendation There is a need for a wide-ranging and coordinated approach to malaria prevention and control, encompassing environmental management and personal protective measures.https://sjhresearchafrica.org/index.php/public-html/article/view/1530malariaprevalenceuniversity students
spellingShingle Nasser Ashaba
Janet Mary Atai
Tom Murungi
Florence Layet
Marvin Musinguzi
Freda Amito
Anne Ruth Akello
Eustes Kigongo
Marc Sam Opollo
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
Student's Journal of Health Research Africa
malaria
prevalence
university students
title FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
title_full FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
title_fullStr FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
title_full_unstemmed FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
title_short FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA PREVALENCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LIRA CITY. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
title_sort factors associated with malaria prevalence among university students at lira university teaching hospital lira city a cross sectional study
topic malaria
prevalence
university students
url https://sjhresearchafrica.org/index.php/public-html/article/view/1530
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