Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Risk Factors among Febrile Under-five Refugee Children Attending Panyadoli Health Centre III, Kiryandongo District, Mid-western Uganda

Background : Malaria presents a big threat to the health of refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and other such persons affected by humanitarian emergencies, with almost two thirds of these groups of persons living in malaria endemic regions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors among refugee children <5 years attending a Health Centre in Panyadoli Refugee Camp, Kiryandongo District. Methods: A cross sectional survey was done between February to April 2022, targeting refugee children < 5 years old seeking health attention at Panyadoli Health Centre III in Kiryandongo District. Simple random sampling was employed to select 380 participants who were then tested for the presence of malaria parasites using Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTS) and Microscopy techniques. Data on risk factors of malaria was collected using a pre-tested and standardized semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses was used to identify the risk factors, at 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Results: Malaria prevalence among the refugee children < 5 years attending Panyadoli HCIII was 12.6% [95% CI: 8.7–18.0]. The associated risk factors for malaria infection included: application of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in last 12 months [AOR = 4.323; 95% CI: 1.231–7.212], history of malaria in children (AOR = 5.861; 95% CI: 1.562 - 8.433], and sleeping under insecticide treated nets (AOR = 3.141; 95% CI: 0.865 - 5.221). Conclusion : Malaria remains a threat to refugee children <5 years old at Panyadoli Refugee Settlement Camp. Health education should aim to sensitize and encourage the community to embrace malaria prevention measures, majorly IPT for pregnant mothers, use of ITNs, and IRS of households.