Abstract

Globally, it was noted that over 92 countries and territories have ongoing malaria transmission with an estimated
3.2 billion people who were at risk of getting infected. The WHO indicates that 207 million people are infected
with malaria worldwide and of these 627,000 cases result in deaths. Children below five years are the most
susceptible to malaria illness which accounts for estimated deaths of 303,000 before reaching age five globally and
292,000 occur in the Africa region. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of malaria
and the associated factors among children below 5 years in Fort Portal Town, kabarole district. The study also
aimed at determining the socio-economic demographic, caretaker, household, and environment associated with
malaria prevalence within the defined age group. The study employed quantitative and qualitative research
designs where questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from the field. All data was grouped
and analyzed in a statistical way where data was presented in tables showing frequencies and percentages. The
prevalence of malaria was high 204 (53%) and the factors that were significant with malaria prevalence included;
household sources of light and environmental factors about the presence of garbage heaps. The prevalence of
malaria was high and it was influenced by the household source of light and garbage heaps around the homes. This
study recommended that caretakers should not stop knowing malaria prevention transmission, but should have a
positive attitude toward implementing the preventive measures. Health unit workers, community health workers,
and VHTs together with stakeholders should put in more effort to ensure that information about malaria is
communicated to the caretakers in languages best understood and should mainly target the vulnerable households
in the community. The town council authorities and local leaders must work with the community to ensure proper
garbage disposal.
Keywords: Malaria, Children below five years, Deaths, Garbage Heaps, Caretakers.