Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background The increased occurrence of malaria among Africa’s displaced communities poses a new humanitarian problem. Understanding malaria epidemiology among the displaced population in African refugee camps is a vital step for implementing effective malaria control and elimination measure...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05246-4 |
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| author | Habtu Debash Ermiyas Alemayehu Melaku Ashagrie Belete Hussen Ebrahim Ousman Mohammed Daniel Gebretsadik Mihret Tilahun Alemu Gedefie |
| author_facet | Habtu Debash Ermiyas Alemayehu Melaku Ashagrie Belete Hussen Ebrahim Ousman Mohammed Daniel Gebretsadik Mihret Tilahun Alemu Gedefie |
| author_sort | Habtu Debash |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The increased occurrence of malaria among Africa’s displaced communities poses a new humanitarian problem. Understanding malaria epidemiology among the displaced population in African refugee camps is a vital step for implementing effective malaria control and elimination measures. As a result, this study aimed to generate comprehensive and conclusive data from diverse investigations undertaken in Africa. Methods This review adhered to PRISMA standards, involving searches across electronic data bases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct. In addition, grey literature was retrieved from several professional associations. The quality of selected studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Data extraction was executed using Microsoft Excel, and the meta-analysis was performed with STATA 14 software. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of malaria. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to identify heterogeneity, while funnel plots and Egger’s statistical tests assessed the publication bias. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed. Results The overall random-effects pooled prevalence of malaria infection (comprising symptomatic and asymptomatic cases) across all included studies was 35.93% (95% CI 24.71–47.15). This study showed a high level of heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 97.1; P < 0.001). Of the identified Plasmodium species, Plasmodium falciparum constituted 99.3%. The frost plot indicated that the overall prevalence of P. falciparum was 34.94% (95% CI 24.34–45.53). Subgroup analysis revealed significant variation (P < 0.001) in malaria prevalence between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, with a prevalence of 4.39% (95% CI 2.57–6.21) and 45.10% (95% CI 27.28–62.92), respectively. Lack of insecticide-treated mosquito net utilization (AOR 2.43; 95% CI 1.01–5.88) and living near mosquito breeding sites (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.56–4.87) were risk factors of malaria. Conclusion This study determined that the pooled prevalence of malaria among displaced individuals in refugee camps was high and exhibited variations across different population groups. This signifying there is still a need to improve and recheck existing malaria prevention and control strategies to establish an effective malaria control and elimination programme in Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a0d2cb35199d41f2ab992c86fc59a4ef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-a0d2cb35199d41f2ab992c86fc59a4ef2025-01-19T12:11:07ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752025-01-0124111810.1186/s12936-025-05246-4Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysisHabtu Debash0Ermiyas Alemayehu1Melaku Ashagrie Belete2Hussen Ebrahim3Ousman Mohammed4Daniel Gebretsadik5Mihret Tilahun6Alemu Gedefie7Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo UniversityAbstract Background The increased occurrence of malaria among Africa’s displaced communities poses a new humanitarian problem. Understanding malaria epidemiology among the displaced population in African refugee camps is a vital step for implementing effective malaria control and elimination measures. As a result, this study aimed to generate comprehensive and conclusive data from diverse investigations undertaken in Africa. Methods This review adhered to PRISMA standards, involving searches across electronic data bases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct. In addition, grey literature was retrieved from several professional associations. The quality of selected studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Data extraction was executed using Microsoft Excel, and the meta-analysis was performed with STATA 14 software. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of malaria. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to identify heterogeneity, while funnel plots and Egger’s statistical tests assessed the publication bias. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed. Results The overall random-effects pooled prevalence of malaria infection (comprising symptomatic and asymptomatic cases) across all included studies was 35.93% (95% CI 24.71–47.15). This study showed a high level of heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 97.1; P < 0.001). Of the identified Plasmodium species, Plasmodium falciparum constituted 99.3%. The frost plot indicated that the overall prevalence of P. falciparum was 34.94% (95% CI 24.34–45.53). Subgroup analysis revealed significant variation (P < 0.001) in malaria prevalence between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, with a prevalence of 4.39% (95% CI 2.57–6.21) and 45.10% (95% CI 27.28–62.92), respectively. Lack of insecticide-treated mosquito net utilization (AOR 2.43; 95% CI 1.01–5.88) and living near mosquito breeding sites (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.56–4.87) were risk factors of malaria. Conclusion This study determined that the pooled prevalence of malaria among displaced individuals in refugee camps was high and exhibited variations across different population groups. This signifying there is still a need to improve and recheck existing malaria prevention and control strategies to establish an effective malaria control and elimination programme in Africa.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05246-4MalariaPlasmodium speciesDisplaced populationRefugee campsAfrica |
| spellingShingle | Habtu Debash Ermiyas Alemayehu Melaku Ashagrie Belete Hussen Ebrahim Ousman Mohammed Daniel Gebretsadik Mihret Tilahun Alemu Gedefie Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis Malaria Journal Malaria Plasmodium species Displaced population Refugee camps Africa |
| title | Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | prevalence and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in africa a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Malaria Plasmodium species Displaced population Refugee camps Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05246-4 |
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