Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Factors among Children Below the Age of 5 Years in Fort Portal Town Kabarole District, Uganda

Globally, it was noted that over 92 countries and territories have ongoing malaria transmission with an estimated 3.2 billion people who were at risk of getting infected. The WHO indicates that 207 million people are infected with malaria worldwide and of these 627,000 cases result in deaths. Children below five years are the most susceptible to malaria illness which accounts for estimated deaths of 303,000 before reaching age five globally and 292,000 occur in the Africa region. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and the associated factors among children below 5 years in Fort Portal Town, kabarole district. The study also aimed at determining the socio-economic demographic, caretaker, household, and environment associated with malaria prevalence within the defined age group. The study employed quantitative and qualitative research designs where questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the field. All data was grouped and analyzed in a statistical way where data was presented in tables showing frequencies and percentages. The prevalence of malaria was high 204 (53%) and the factors that were significant with malaria prevalence included; household sources of light and environmental factors about the presence of garbage heaps. The prevalence of malaria was high and it was influenced by the household source of light and garbage heaps around the homes. This study recommended that caretakers should not stop knowing malaria prevention transmission, but should have a positive attitude toward implementing the preventive measures. Health unit workers, community health workers, and VHTs together with stakeholders should put in more effort to ensure that information about malaria is communicated to the caretakers in languages best understood and should mainly target the vulnerable households in the community. The town council authorities and local leaders must work with the community to ensure proper garbage disposal. Keywords: Malaria, Children below five years, Deaths, Garbage Heaps, Caretakers.