Burden of Malaria in Mobile Populations in Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background: The burden of malaria in mobile populations is still less documented in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of malaria among hawkers and long distance truck drivers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Method: A cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling method between June and July 2016 in Accra and Tema was used. The study population was Hawkers who roam in the street and long distance truck drivers. RDTs and two thick blood smears were made for each participant, stained with Giemsa and read using microscopy. The location and distribution of these mobile populations were collected using geospatial technology. Result: The overall prevalence of malaria was 15.1% and Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for all malaria infection. The malaria prevalence was 18.9% and 10.9% respectively among hawkers and truck drivers (p<0.05). The hawkers, the single and the no formal educated participants were more likely to get malaria than the long distance truck drivers (OR= 1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.42), the married (OR= 1.94 95% CI 1.11– 3.40) and the educated participants (OR= 2.56 95% CI 1.10– 5.93) respectively. After controlling for other variables, marital status (OR= 2.60 95% CI 1.43– 4.73) and educational level (OR= 2.70 95% CI 1.08– 6.77) were statistically significantly associated with malaria. Conclusion: This study shows that the odds of getting malaria is high among hawkers and long distance truck drivers. The sociodemographic characteristics; locality, marital status, occupational work and educational level are significantly associated with malaria. The geospatial technology will make these mobile populations easy to reach for any malaria intervention.