Publications

The World Malaria report shows a significant increase in malaria cases and deaths in 2021,with 247 million cases and 619,000 deaths compared to 245 million in 2020. COVID-relateddisruptions led to 13 million more malaria cases and 63,000 more deaths in the WHOAfrican Region, which accounted for 95% of all malaria cases in 2021. A prospective crosssectionalstudy was conducted to determine the association between socio-demographicfactors, health system factors, and household factors and severe malaria in children underfive years old admitted to the pediatric ward at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH).The study found a prevalence of 67% of severe malaria, highest among children aged 13-36months (47%), 6-12 months (9.2%), and 37-39 months (6.2%). Malnourished children weremore affected (80.3%) than well-nourished (63%). Longer distance from the hospital andparents with low education levels were associated with higher rates of severe malaria(83.3%). Semi-permanent houses and larger household sizes were the majority (85%) andcontributed to the high prevalence of severe malaria in the western Bunyoro region.