Confirmed malaria cases among under five children with fever and history of fever in Masogo sub-county, Kisumu county-Kenya

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that malaria treatment should begin with parasitological diagnosis. This will help to regulate misuse of anti-malarial drugs in areas with high transmission. Aim: Aim was to assess the prevalence of parasitological confirmed malaria among under five years children presenting with fever or history of fever attending medication at Masogo sub-county hospital. Setting: The study was conducted in Masogo Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya. Data and methodology: The study used 2020 dataset from the laboratory MOH 706 reporting tool with a total number of 6787 children under five years old tested in the lab. Result: Of the 6787 test performed in the year 2020, 2225 (32.8%) turn positive to malaria parasite where there was high prevalence in female children at 1141 (51.3%) than male children 1084 (48.7%) of the total positive examined. Prevalence of the malaria among the age group bracket was high at 48-59 months old at 625 (28.1%) followed by 36-47 months 620 (27.9%), 24-35 months 450 (20.2%), 12-23 months 410 (18.4%) and lastly 0-11 months old at 120 (5.4%). Conclusions: Reasons for the increased of the prevalence as the age increased among the under five children need to be further explored and addressed, there is enough evidence that immediate action is needed to address the unique needs of this population. Such factors could include lack of net used and separation of the mother and the child from sleeping together or early birth after the child. Keywords: malaria; under five children; fever.