Association between malaria prevalence and housing structures in the bondo district of Kenya

Abstract Malaria is a major health problem in Kenya, especially in the Bondo District where people have a higher disparity of malaria prevalence than do other populations in Kenya. In the Bondo District, malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children and pregnant women. A majority of this population lives in poorly structured houses with abutments. Previous researchers have explored the relationship between mosquito exposure and malaria prevalence, but little is known about how housing structures affect malaria prevalence. Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecologic theory. A cross-sectional quantitative survey to assess the relationship between malaria prevalence and housing structures in the Bondo District. Logistic and linear regressions were used to predict malaria prevalence and exposure from housing structure. Results revealed (a) that although housing structure did not significantly predict malaria prevalence, other related factors (i.e., average mosquito bites per night and use of mosquito nets) were associated with malaria prevalence and (b) that houses with open abutments increased the odds that children who live there had been infected with malaria. These results confirmed that positive social change is necessary to improve people's living and health conditions by reducing malaria prevalence in this community. This study may lead to further research about how proper intervention techniques (e.g., better housing structure, proper use of mosquito nets, reduced number of mosquito bites while sleeping) can be more effective in future malaria prevention, especially for residents in the Bondo District in Kenya.