Abstract:

Background: Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by a female Anopheles mosquito and in Tanzania it is mainly caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The burden is heaviest in the African region, where an estimated 90% of all malaria deaths occur, and in under five children, which account for 78% of all deaths (WHO, 2014). In 2016, it was reported that children under five years of age are one of most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. In Africa, about 285 000 children died before their fifth birthdays. (WHO, 2018).

Method: This was a cross sectional retrospective study design conducted from July 2016 to June 2019, and included all children under five years of age who were recorded within the timeline. Data was attained into the computer and analyzed using SPSS. Continuous variables were summarized using measures of central tendency with their respective measures of dispersion and categorical variable were summarized using frequency and percentage.

Results: 3500 under-fives children who attended Meru district hospital were tested, where by a 3384 (96.7%) were tested negative and 116 (3.3%) tested positive of which 62 (1.8%) were male and female were 54 (1.5%). Prevalence of malaria in this study was found 116 (3.3%) Age of group of under five children, mosquito net ownership and status of patient was statistically significant associated with prevalence of malaria while other demographic variables were not significantly associated with prevalence of malaria.

Conclusion: Malaria cases were found to be higher among children aged beyond 12 months and male children were more affected with malaria than females. Also, malaria cases for children under-five were lowest to the household with mosquito bed net compared to those without nets. Also, the number of death which were encountered from 2016 to 2019 were only 1 (2%). This my due to higher community awareness and availability of diagnostic mainly MRDTs as such many people felt contempt that they could and treat themselves.