STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS OF MALARIA RELATED IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY: A CASE STUDY AT TEPI GENERAL HOSPITAL, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Malaria is a major challenge to public health and socio-economic development worldwide and in sub –Saharan Africa in particular. It causes an estimated 300 to 500 million cases and 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths worldwide each year, of which 80% of the cases and 90% of the deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors of malaria related in-hospital mortality. The data were taken from hospital records at Tepi General Hospital, South Western Ethiopia. A sample of 535 patients were used for the study. The data were analyzed using the classical logistic regression. The results of the study showed that 78.5% of malaria patients were found to be discharged while the rest 21.5% died of malaria in the health center. The classical logistic regression analysis were identified significant predictors. The results from multivariable analysis revealed that age of patient, residence of patient, type of malaria species diagnosed, time from symptom onset to diagnoses, malaria complication, pregnancy and total length of stay in hospital were factors associated with health status of malaria patients. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should focus on continuous awareness creation of early diagnoses and treatment to the societies in rural part of South Western Ethiopia.