Burden of malaria in mobile populations in the Greater Accra region, Ghana: a cross- sectional study

BACKGROUND: The burden of malaria in mobile populations remains poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of malaria among hawkers and long-distance truck drivers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional design using consecutive sampling method between June and July 2016 in Accra and Tema in Ghana was used in this study. The study population was hawkers who roam and sleep in the Market Streets, and long-distance truck drivers. Participants completed closed ended interview questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, primary residence and knowledge about malaria. Rapid diagnostic test and thick blood smears of each participant were stained with Giemsa and read using microscopy. Geographical position system (GPS) was used to collect the station locations of these mobile populations. RESULT: The overall prevalence of malaria was 15.1% and Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for all malaria infection. The malaria prevalence was 18.9 and 10.9% respectively among hawkers and truck drivers (p < 0.05). The hawkers, the single and the no formal educated participants were more likely to get malaria than the long-distance truck drivers (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.42), the married (OR = 1.94 95% CI 1.11–3.40) and the educated participants (OR = 2.56 95% CI 1.10–5.93), respectively. After controlling for other variables, marital status (OR = 2.60 95% CI 1.43– 4.73) and educational level (OR = 2.70 95% CI 1.08–6.77) were statistically significantly associated with malaria. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the prevalence of malaria is high among hawkers and long distance truck drivers. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as marital status, occupation and educational level are significantly associated with malaria. The station locations as determined by GPS technology will make these mobile populations easier to reach for any malaria intervention.