Abstract:
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted via
the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The study aimed to assess long lasting
insecticide treated bed net possession, its utilization, and prevalence of malaria among patients
visiting Bahir Dar Health Center, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The study followed a cross sectional study design, the study population was malaria suspected patients who have been
visiting the Health Center during the study period (1
st February to 30th March, 2021). A simple
random sampling technique was used in order to obtain parasitological data and information
regarding the possession and proper utilization of LLINs from patients. A total of 403 patients
were considered as participants for this study. The data were collected using both questionnaire
and laboratory microscopic diagnosis method. The collected data were analyzed using the Chi square test and descriptive statistics using SPSS-25 software. Among total participants,
278(69%) were possessed long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and 124(31%) did not. Majority
268 (66.5%) used protective insecticidal-treated bed nets during sleeping time, while smaller
groups 15(3.7%) not interested to use during night time. The study revealed that the overall
malaria prevalence in the study area were 3.7%. The dominant Plasmodium species in the study
area was Plasmodium falciparum 9(60%), followed by Plasmodium vivax 4(26.7%) and mixed
infections 2(13.3%). There is a significant association between the prevalence of malaria and
respondents’ residence Urban 11(2.9%) and Rural 4(14.3%) at χ2= 12.370, DF, 2 and p=0.002.
However, there is no significant association found in frequency dominance of the Plasmodium
species among respondent’s sex and age (χ2=4.309, DF=1and p=0.230 and χ2=10.328, DF= 1
and p=0.587) respectively. Generally in the study area malaria prevalence was 3.7% with P.
falciparum dominance over vivax and mixed thus prevention measures should be sustainable
implemented.