Housing Surroundings and Self-reported Cases of Malaria in two Communities in Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

Malaria remains a major health problem in Ghana. Mosquito breeding sites play significant role in malaria infection and transmission, but studies in this area are scanty in Ghana. This study assesses the association between housing surroundings with mosquito breeding sites and self-reported cases of malaria in two communities in Central Region of Ghana. In a cross-sectional study, 319 representatives of households in two communities in Central Region of Ghana provided information on self-reported malaria cases, use of ITN and some demographic characteristics. The surroundings of houses were also inspected for presence of mosquito breeding sites. Using chi square test, variables were compared between the two communities and with logistic regression analyses, the factors associated with self-reported malaria was assessed. Prevalence of self-reported malaria was 23.2%. More than half (58.6%) of the houses had surroundings that could serve a breeding sties for mosquitoes. Educational level and community were independently associated with self-reported cases of malaria. By multivariate analyses the community in the forest belt (OR=2.894; 95% CI: 1.672 – 5,010; P=0.000) remained significantly associated with self-reported malaria. Prevalence of self–reported malaria was high in the region, with the community in the forest belt having higher malaria prevalence than the community in the coastal belt. The proportion of housing surroundings with potential breeding sites for mosquito was high. The fight against malaria could intensify efforts that improve behaviours for avoiding of mosquito bites and keeping housing surroundings clean.