Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39856695›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Prevalence and drivers of malaria infection among asymptomatic and symptomatic community members in five regions with varying transmission intensity in mainland Tanzania.

Gervas A Chacha, Filbert Francis, Salehe S Mandai, Misago D Seth, Rashid A Madebe, Daniel P Challe, Daniel A Petro, Dativa Pereus, Ramadhani Moshi, Rule Budodo and 10 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed.

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  7. Genetic metrics decodeFrontiers in genetics · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

20 authors.

Gervas A ChachaNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Filbert FrancisNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Salehe S MandaiNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Misago D SethNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Rashid A MadebeNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Daniel P ChalleNational Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania.
Daniel A PetroUniversity of Dar Es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Dativa PereusNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Ramadhani MoshiNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Rule BudodoNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Angelina J KisambaleNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Ruth B MbwamboNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Catherine BakariNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Sijenunu AaronNational Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Daniel MbwamboNational Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Stella KajangePresident's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Samuel LazaroNational Malaria Control Programme, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Ntuli KapologweDirectorate of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Celine I MandaraNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Deus S IshengomaNational Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. deusishe@yahoo.com.

Funding

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 002202
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite implementation of effective interventions in the past two decades, malaria is still a major public health problem in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and drivers of malaria infections among symptomatic and asymptomatic members of selected communities from five regions with varying endemicity in mainland Tanzania.

methodsA cross-sectional community survey was conducted in five districts, including one district/region in Kagera, Kigoma, Njombe, Ruvuma and Tanga from July to August 2023. Participants aged ≥ 6 months were recruited and tested using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, parasitological, type of house, and socio-economic status (SES) data were captured using structured questionnaires. Associations between parasite prevalence and potential drivers were determined by logistic regression, and the results were presented as crude (cOR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

resultsAmong 10,228 individuals tested, 3515 (34.4%) had positive results by RDTs. The prevalence of malaria varied from 21.6% in Tanga to 44.4% in Kagera, and from 14.4% to 68.5% among the different villages (P < 0.001). The odds of malaria infections were higher in males (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.19-1.48, P < 0.001), under-fives (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.74-2.40, P < 0.001), schoolchildren [aged 5-9 years (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI 1.19-1.48, P < 0.001) and 10-14 years (aOR = 3.53, 95% CI 3.03-4.11, P < 0.001)], and non-bednet users (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.29-1.72, P < 0.001). Individuals from households with low SES (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.16-1.69, P < 0.001), or living in houses with open windows (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.45, P < 0.001) and/or holes on the walls (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.81, P < 0.001) also had higher odds.

conclusionsMalaria prevalence varied widely across regions and villages, and the odds of infections were higher in males, schoolchildren, non-bednet users, and individuals with low SES or living in houses with open windows and/or holes on the walls. The identified vulnerable groups and hotspots should be targeted with specific interventions to reduce the disease burden and support the ongoing malaria elimination efforts in Tanzania.

Indexed as

MalariaAdolescentAdultAgedChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInfantMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSurveys and QuestionnairesTanzaniaYoung AdultAsymptomatic infectionsDrivers of malaria infectionsMalariaPlasmodium falciparumSymptomatic infectionsTanzania

Identifiers

PMID39856695
PMCPMC11760675

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.