Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background
Butiama District is among the highly malaria endemic areas in Tanzania. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) distributed free Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to reduce malaria transmission. Available data shows high prevalence of malaria among school pupils in Butiama. No routine health system that monitors malaria control interventions such as LLINs coverage and use. Use of school pupil’s report have been shown to be a good proxy for the community estimation of malaria burden and assessing effectiveness of malaria interventions.
Objectives: This study examined the prevalence of malaria, household LLINs coverage and use factors associated with bed net use among school pupils in Butiama district, Tanzania.
Methods:A quantitative cross sectional survey was carried out among primary school pupils in Butiama District. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. Pupils were interviewed regarding LLINs coverage, perceived safety and factors associated with net use. Then a malaria test from a finger prick using malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) and Blood Slide (BS) for microscopy was taken. Data was entered into a computer using Epi data, then transferred to STATA for analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Ethical Board before the beginning of the survey.
Results:A total of 590 school pupilsparticipated in this study. The overall ownershipof at least one LLIN was 95.4% with a universal coverage of 69.7%. The average number of nets per household was 3 ± 1.72. The most mentioned source of LLINs was free mass distribution 78.5% followed by School Net Program (SNP) 30%.
In households with at least one LLIN 92.4% of the under-fives slept under LLINs a night before survey compared to 75.6% of school pupils.
The overall malaria parasite prevalence by mRDT in school children at Butiama District was found to be 16.1% CI (13.34, 19.30), (95/590) but by microscopy was found to be 6.44% (68/590), 95% CI (4.72%, 8.74%). Malaria prevalence was significantly lower among pupils who slept under ITNs than those who did not. (P=0.029).
Conclusion: Malaria prevalence has declined inButiama District among school children compared to the previous studies. Universal coverage of LLINs is not yet attained.
Recommendations:
Further studies should be done in Butiama to look at what factors contributes to high malaria transmission in Butiama despite of high ITN coverage and use.
