Abstract

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-related
disruptions led to 13 million more malaria cases and 63,000 more deaths in the WHO
African Region, which accounted for 95% of all malaria cases in 2021. A prospective crosssectional
study was conducted to determine the association between socio-demographic
factors, health system factors, and household factors and severe malaria in children under
five 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 13-36
months (47%), 6-12 months (9.2%), and 37-39 months (6.2%). Malnourished children were
more affected (80.3%) than well-nourished (63%). Longer distance from the hospital and
parents 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%) and
contributed to the high prevalence of severe malaria in the western Bunyoro region.