Risk Factors Associated with Malaria Resurgence in Rosterman Gold Mines and Eluche Sugarcane Growing Regions of Western Kenya Highlands

Abstract

Background: Malaria is still a public health concern around the world despite up-scaled prevention methods at both the household and community levels. Environmental modifying activities that aggravate malaria transmission remain focal points in forestalling transmission. This study sought to evaluate the risk factors associated with the resurgence of malaria in Rosterman gold mining and Eluche sugarcane growing villages of Western Kenya highlands despite concerted efforts aimed at its control.
Materials and methods: This was a longitudinal cross- sectional study carried out from November 2018 to October 2019. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and the history of malaria episodes of the participants. Houses were observed for associated risk factors, while the bed nets were physically observed for their status. Anopheline larval habitats were surveyed three consecutive days monthly and their distance from the nearest residence was measured in meters. Data analysis was done using GraphPad Prism statistical software in which descriptive statistics were carried out to determine the relative frequencies of all the surveyed variables. Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine the association between risk factors and history of malaria episodes.
Results: Of the study population, 54.87% were females, 83.00% had primary or higher education levels, 87.05% were self-employed or employed, and 92.76% were earning less than 50 US dollars monthly. All four socio- demographic factors tested, house structures, the status of the long-lasting insecticidal nets, the distance of the residences from the nearest anopheline larval habitat, and anopheline larval densities were significantly associated with malaria episodes.
Conclusion: The studied factors increased the proportion of people at risk of malaria transmission overriding the impact of the instituted control measures. Thus, could be acting as transmission drivers that have led to the observed upsurge of malaria episodes in the two study sites. This knowledge has the potential to revitalize efforts towards effective malaria control strategies. Further studies should include more parasitological components to provide more evidence and risk maps for future action by the authorities.