Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Malaria remains a significant health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited. School-aged children are a vulnerable population group with a high risk of malaria infection. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasite infections among school-aged children in rural areas to better understand the burden of the disease and inform public health interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted in several rural communities, involving a total of 1000 school-aged children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Blood samples were collected from each participant and examined for the presence of malaria parasites using both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. In addition to the laboratory tests, a structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on demographics, bed net usage, and previous history of malaria. The results revealed a high prevalence of malaria parasite infections among the school-aged children in the study area, with an overall infection rate of 35%. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species detected, accounting for 90% of the infections. There was a significant association between malaria infection and factors such as age, gender, and bed net usage. Children in the younger age group (6-8 years) were more likely to be infected compared to older children (9-12 years). Additionally, male children had a higher prevalence of malaria infection than female children. Surprisingly, the study found that bed net usage was low among the participants, with only 40% reporting consistent use of bed nets. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted malaria control interventions in rural areas focusing on school-aged children. Improving access to malaria diagnosis and treatment services, promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, and implementing educational programs on malaria prevention are crucial steps to reduce the burden of malaria in this vulnerable population group. Furthermore, community engagement and collaboration with local health authorities are essential for the successful implementation of these interventions. In conclusion, the high prevalence of malaria parasite infections among school-aged children in rural areas underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and control efforts to combat malaria and improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations.

Thesis Overview

Malaria is a major public health problem and cause of much suffering and premature death in the poorer areas of tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America particularly among young children (Cheesbrough, 2010). Children under five years of age are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. There was an estimated 438,000 malaria deaths around the world in 2015 of which approximately 69% were in children under five years of age. In high transmission areas, partial immunity to the disease is acquired during childhood. In such settings, the majority of malarial disease and particularly severe disease with rapid progression to death occurs in young children without acquired immunity. Severe anaemia, hypoglycaemia and cerebral malaria are features of malaria more commonly seen in children than in adults (WHO 2016). Malaria is an infection caused by parasites of the Plasmodium species. There are four major species of the parasite that infect man. These are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. P. Knowlesi  is rare.