Malaria Prevention Practices and Associated Factors among Households in Bube Town, Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Background Malaria is a major health issue in Ethiopia, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. The approaches used to combat malaria transmission in Ethiopia emphasize on vector control methods. However, the effectiveness of malaria prevention efforts may be influenced by difference in social and demographic factors, population’s knowledge and practices of malaria prevention. This study aimed to assess malaria prevention practices and associated factors among households in Bube Town, Oromia Regional State, Western Ethiopia. Objective To assess malaria prevention practices and associated factors among households in Bube Town, Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia. Method A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed, with data collected via a questionnaire administered by interviewers. A systematic sampling technique was implemented during data collection, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 after being entered into EpiData version 3.1 software. Binary logistic regression statistical analysis was done to determine association between dependent and outcome variables. Factors with P < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate regression analysis and eventually variables with a P-value < 0.05 at a 95% CI were considered to have a significant association with malaria prevention practices. Results The prevalence of good malaria prevention practices was 62.7% (95% CI: 58.0%–66.0%). Associated factors for good malaria prevention practices include higher age (above 25 years old), female sex (AOR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.035-2.295), knowledge of malaria breeding sites (AOR=3.7, 95% CI: 1.482-9.235), and knowing that malaria is preventable (AOR=4.014, 95% CI: 1.502-10.71). Conclusion More than half of Bube town households had good malaria prevention practices. Good practices were associated with being older, female, knowing where malaria breeds, and knowing that malaria is preventable. Raising community awareness and developing targeted interventions for males and young family members are crucial to advancing malaria prevention strategies.