FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISING PREVALENCE OF MALARIA IN COPPERBELT PROVINCE, ZAMBIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN KAWAMA EAST COMPOUND

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains one of Zambia's most persistent public health problems despite long-standing investments in case management, vector control, health education and surveillance. Local heterogeneity means that national averages can hide community-level drivers of transmission. This paper examined demographic, preventive and social factors associated with malaria infection in Kawama East Compound, Mufulira District, Copperbelt Province.

Methods: The study used an analytical cross-sectional design. A multistage sampling approach was used to select households from Kawama East Compound, and 355 participants were included. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios were used to identify factors independently associated with malaria infection.

Results: Most respondents were female (77.7%), while 22.3% were male. Although 70% of respondents reported participation in environmental sanitation and 72% recognised malaria as a serious problem, uptake of personal preventive measures was weak: 71.8% did not sleep under insecticide-treated nets and 72% did not apply mosquito repellents. Higher adjusted odds of malaria infection were observed among respondents aged 30-35 years (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI: 1.95-8.42), males (AOR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.75-5.97), married participants (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI: 2.67-9.28), participants from households with five or more members (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.20-4.06), respondents not using ITNs (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.21-5.60), respondents not using repellents (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI: 1.87-8.18), and those living near mosquito breeding sites (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.13-3.61).

Conclusion: Malaria risk in Kawama East Compound is shaped by household conditions, limited use of preventive measures and environmental exposure. Control efforts should move beyond generalised messaging and focus on targeted ITN coverage, repellent promotion, household-level environmental management, and risk communication tailored to men, married households and larger families