Malaria profile and socioeconomic predictors among under-five children: an analysis of 11 sub-Saharan African countries
Seun Anjorin, Elvis Anyaehiechukwu Okolie, Sanni Yaya
Abstract
BACKGROUND: African region accounts for 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths with under-five children accounting for 80% of all deaths in the region. This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of malaria prevalence and provide evidence on the socioeconomic profile of malaria infection among under-five children in 11 SSA countries. METHODS: This study used data from the 2010 to 2020 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The survey used a two-stage stratified-cluster sampling design based on the sampling frame of the population and housing census of countries included. Statistical analyses relied on Pearson's χ2, using the CHAID decision-tree algorithm and logistic regression implemented in R V.4.6. RESULTS: Of 8547 children considered, 24.2% (95% confidence interval CI 23.4-25.05%) had malaria infection. Also, the prevalence of malaria infection seems to increase with age. The following variables are statistically associated with the prevalence of malaria infection among under-five children: under-five child's age, maternal education, sex of household head, household wealth index, place of residence, and African region where mother-child pair lives. Children whose mothers have secondary education have about 56% lower risk (odds ratio = 0.44; 95% CI 0.40-0.48) of malaria infection and 73% lower (odds ratio = 0.37; 95% CI 0.32-0.43) among children living in the richest households, compared to children living in the poorest households. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide unique insights on how socioeconomic and demographic variables, especially maternal education level significantly predicts under-five malaria prevalence across the SSA region. Therefore, ensuring that malaria interventions are underpinned by a multisectoral approach that comprehensively tackles the interplay of maternal education and other socioeconomic variables will be critical in attaining malaria prevention and control targets in SSA.