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Introduction <p>Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), posing a significant public health challenge, especially among children aged 6–59&#xa0;months. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malaria in this age group.</p> Methods <p>The study analyzed secondary data from a weighted sample of 10,013 children aged 6–59&#xa0;months who underwent a malaria rapid diagnostic test, drawn from the 2023/24 DRC Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable modified Poisson regression analyses were conducted. A factor was considered significant if the <i>p</i>-value was less than 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval (CI).</p> Results <p>The overall prevalence of malaria among children aged 6–59&#xa0;months in the DRC was 33% (95% CI = 30.2, 35.6), varying significantly between provinces, from 5% in Kinshasa to 61% in Bas-Uele province. Factors associated with malaria in this age group included children aged 24–59&#xa0;months (APR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.36), children of mothers with no education (APR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.29) and those with primary education (APR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.30), children from the poor wealth quintile (APR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.13) and the middle wealth quintile (APR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.95), children who never slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) (APR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.30), children from households without a television (APR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.22, 2.45), and those living in houses with unimproved floor material (APR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.08) or unimproved roof material (APR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.54).</p> Conclusion <p>The prevalence of malaria remains high among children aged 6–59&#xa0;months. The study highlights the need for strategies that include scaling up the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and educating caregivers on their proper use, improving access to timely diagnosis and treatment, and integrating multisectoral approaches that address socioeconomic vulnerabilities.</p>

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Prevalence and factors associated with malaria among children aged 6–59 months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月9日

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  • Jovinary Adam,
  • Olivier Mukuku,
  • Janvier Mwemedi Tawi,
  • Pankras Luoga,
  • Augustin Mulangu Mutombo

摘要

Introduction

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), posing a significant public health challenge, especially among children aged 6–59 months. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malaria in this age group.

Methods

The study analyzed secondary data from a weighted sample of 10,013 children aged 6–59 months who underwent a malaria rapid diagnostic test, drawn from the 2023/24 DRC Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable modified Poisson regression analyses were conducted. A factor was considered significant if the p-value was less than 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The overall prevalence of malaria among children aged 6–59 months in the DRC was 33% (95% CI = 30.2, 35.6), varying significantly between provinces, from 5% in Kinshasa to 61% in Bas-Uele province. Factors associated with malaria in this age group included children aged 24–59 months (APR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.36), children of mothers with no education (APR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.29) and those with primary education (APR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.30), children from the poor wealth quintile (APR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.13) and the middle wealth quintile (APR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.95), children who never slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) (APR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.30), children from households without a television (APR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.22, 2.45), and those living in houses with unimproved floor material (APR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.08) or unimproved roof material (APR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.54).

Conclusion

The prevalence of malaria remains high among children aged 6–59 months. The study highlights the need for strategies that include scaling up the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and educating caregivers on their proper use, improving access to timely diagnosis and treatment, and integrating multisectoral approaches that address socioeconomic vulnerabilities.