Analysis of Malaria Risk Factors in Barus Village, Barus District, Central Tapanuli Regency in 2022

Abstract

Malaria is a serious health problem and can be fatal, especially in high-risk groups such as infants, young children, and pregnant women. Furthermore, malaria also causes anemia and reduces labor productivity. In 2010, approximately 65% ??of districts in Indonesia were malaria-endemic areas, and approximately 45% of the population in endemic areas was at risk of contracting malaria. In Batu Bara Regency, malaria cases have increased annually. This study aims to determine the risk factors for malaria. This study used a case-control design and was conducted in June 2022 in Batu Bara Regency, involving 170 respondents aged 12 years and above. Individuals with fever symptoms and a positive malaria test recorded at a health facility were cases, while controls were respondents with fever symptoms and a negative malaria test result. The variables studied were age, gender, occupation, nighttime habits, use of insecticide-treated bed nets, the presence of livestock pens, the presence of standing water, and the presence of fish ponds around the house, which were measured using a questionnaire. Multivariate analysis used logistic regression. The analysis results showed that age and the presence of livestock pens significantly influenced the incidence of malaria. Respondents aged 12-17 years had the highest risk of contracting malaria (AOR=3.85; 1.40-10.59) compared to the 18-40 age group (AOR=1.79; 0.70-4.58). Respondents who had a large pen near their residence were three times more likely to contract malaria than respondents who did not live near a pen (AOR=3.02; 1.02-8.92).