Abstract:
Malaria is a major health problem in Ethiopia in terms of morbidity, mortality, and
impediment lo socioeconomic development. The incidence of the disease in most parts of
the country is unstable, mainly due to the country's topographical and climatic variability.
An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted between the period of October
2014 and May 2015 to.determine the prevalence of malaria infection and associated risk
factors among individuals residing in Lega Kebelc of Awable Worcda, northwest
Ethiopia. A total ol'384 study participants were randomly selected from those who visited
l.ega Health Center. After receiving their verbal consent blood Iilm collections were
carried out using disposable blood lancet and thin mid thick blood smears were stained
with l 0% Giemsa stained prepared mHI the specimen were examined using light
microscope for the presence and identification of malaria parasites, A semi-structured
questiormuire was also administered to gather information on socio-dcmograpnic,
\lo behavioral and knowledge and practices of the study population. The data collected were
entered into and analyzed using SPSS version ~O. Out of 384 the study subject screened
for malaria, 28(7.3%) were found to be positive for the disease. Plasmotlium vivax, and
P. falcipurum were detected with prevalence rates of l 50.9'Yo) and 7(1.8%). respectively
and Uie rate of mixed infection of these parasites was 6(1.6%). There was no statisricarly
significant association obtained between the prevalence of malaria infection and Ki\ P or
the study subjects. However. statistically significant association was obtained between
the prevalence of malaria infection and those of age and proper usage uf IT>Js of the
study subjects. In conclusion, the prevalence of P. vii-ax infection was higher Uu1r1 P.
[atctpcriinn in the study area and high prevalence of infection was identified among study
participants who dill not use the lTNs properly and subjects under 10-19 yea~s age
category. Therefore, effective malaria control measures should he implemented and the
use of impregnate bed nets should he introduced to the community in order to reduce the
prevalence of malaria among study subject and hence ensure the public health at large.
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l(EY Words: Malaria. Plusmodium; Prevalence, Lega Kehelc,