Abstract:

Background: Mosquito is known as a vector for several parasitic diseases particularly Malaria. Currently, it is still one of medical urgency and one of millennium development goal of WHO. There are many risk factors of Malaria but knowing which one poses the most risk for local people is deemed necessary. Methods: An observational-analytical case-control study was conducted in several regions of Southern Minahasa district evaluating several risk factors namely knowledge of Malaria, the presence of livestock pen, night-time activity, mosquito net usage, and house wall construction. All of the data were analyzed by using SPSS 16. Results: All of the variables examined showed significant association with the risk of Malaria. Low level of knowledge of Malaria, infrequent use of mosquito net and loose house wall construction were associated with higher risk for Malaria with house wall construction posed the greatest risk (OR:3,154; CI: 1,430-6,56). On the other hand, the presence of livestock pen and night time activity were associated with significantly lower risk of Malaria compared to control group (livestock pen: OR: 0,448; CI: 0,210-0,957; night-time activity: OR: 0,273; CI: 0,119-0,623). Conclusion: Low level of knowledge of Malaria, infrequent use of mosquito net and loose house wall construction appeared to increase the risk of Malaria but the presence of livestock pen and night time activity might act as protective factors in Southern Minahasa District, North Celebes, Indonesia.

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