Research consultancy

Assessment of Malaria Prevalence Among Children Under Five Years in Uganda

List of Acronyms

WHO: World Health Organization
WMR: World Malaria Report
MOH: Ministry of Health
EIR: Entomological Inoculation Rates
PMI: President’s Malaria Initiative
HMIS: Health Management Information System
UMIS: Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey
UBOS: Uganda Bureau of Statistics
ARIMA: Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average
GDP: Gross Domestic Product
LBW: Low Birth Weight

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the background of the study, problem statement, objectives, research questions, scope, and significance of the research.

1.1 Background

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Although preventable and treatable, it remains a major public health challenge. In 2016, global funding for malaria control and elimination reached $2.7 bi ll i o n * *, w i t h e n d e mi c g o v er nm e n t sco n t r ib u t in g * *$ 800 million (31%) (WHO, 2017).

According to the 2017 World Malaria Report, malaria cases rose from 211 million in 2015 to 216 million in 2016, with 445,000 deaths reported. The African region bears the highest burden, accounting for 90% of cases and 91% of deaths. Fifteen countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, represent 80% of global malaria cases (WMR, 2017).

Children under five are especially vulnerable in high-transmission areas, constituting 70% of malaria-related deaths. While under-five fatalities decreased from 440,000 in 2010 to 285,000 in 2016, malaria still claims a child’s life every two minutes (Leder et al., 2017).

Preventive measures include:

Chemoprophylaxis for travelers.
Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) for pregnant women and infants in high-risk areas.
Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children under five in the Sahel region (Okello et al., 2016).

Despite progress, 3.2 billion people remain at risk, with nearly one million annual deaths, mostly among African children (WMR, 2008). In Uganda, malaria is the second leading cause of under-five mortality (21-26%), exacerbated by poor healthcare access and delayed treatment-seeking behaviors.

Malaria also imposes economic burdens, costing Uganda $347 mi ll i o nann u a ll y * * in t re a t m e n t an d l os tp ro d u c t i v i t y (T h e N e w Vi s i o n, 2004) . A lt h o ug h f u n d in g ha ss t abi l i ze d s in ce 2010, a c hi e v in g t h e * * Gl o ba lT ec hni c a lSt r a t e g y (GTS) t a r g e t s * * re q u i res * *$ 6.5 billion annually by 2020—far exceeding the $2.7 billion allocated in 2016.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite interventions like SMC protecting 15 million African children in 2016, 13 million more lacked coverage due to funding gaps (WHO, 2016). Uganda faces persistent challenges, with malaria accounting for 40% of childhood morbidity (Francis et al., 2006).

In 2015, malaria caused 438,000 deaths globally, with 90% occurring in Africa—including 306,000 under-five deaths (WMR, 2015). Travelers from non-endemic regions also report 30,000+ annual cases (Leder et al., 2010).

This study examines malaria prevalence among Ugandan children under five, addressing gaps in regional and residential disparities.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

General Objective

To assess malaria prevalence among children under five in Uganda.

Specific Objectives

Compare malaria prevalence by residence (urban/rural) and region.
Determine the geographical distribution of malaria in Uganda.
Forecast malaria trends up to 2022.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

H₀₁: No significant difference in malaria prevalence by residence and region.
H₀₂: Malaria prevalence is uniform across all regions.
H₀₃: Rural and urban areas have equal malaria prevalence.
H₀₄: Malaria prevalence will decline by 2022.

1.5 Scope of the Study

Subject Scope: Focuses on malaria prevalence in Ugandan children under five.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Policy Development: Inform government and health officials in designing targeted malaria interventions.
Academic Contribution: Provide a reference for future research on malaria epidemiology.
Public Awareness: Highlight malaria’s impact on child health and socioeconomic development.
Research Skills Enhancement: Strengthen the researcher’s analytical and investigative capabilities.