Prevalence and determinants of malaria among children aged 6–59 months in Tanzania: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under age 5 years in Tanzania. It is more often recognized as the most serious health problem in the community by women and men in Tanzania. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and the determinants of malaria among children aged 6-59 months in Tanzania. Secondary data analysis was conducted on data from 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey. The weighted sample included in this study was 4,923 children aged 6-59 months, who underwent malaria rapid diagnostic test. Data analysis was performed using Stata 18.0 software. The strength of the association was assessed using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) along with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The prevalence of malaria among children aged 6-59 months was 8% (95% CI 6.2, 9.5). The percentage of children with malaria was highest in Tabora (23%) and below 1% among children in Dodoma, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Singida, Songwe, and the Zanzibar regions. The study found that children aged 24-59 months (aOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.33, 2.21), children residing in rural areas (aOR = 6.92, 95% CI 2.19, 8.83), children from lower economic status (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.22-7.83), and children who never slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.51-4.91) were significantly associated with malaria among children aged 6-59 months. The study revealed a malaria prevalence of 8% among children aged 6-59 months in Tanzania, with the highest percentage observed in Tabora. This prevalence was associated with older age, residence in rural areas, lower economic status, and lack of access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). These results underscore the need for targeted malaria prevention strategies, particularly in rural areas and among economically disadvantaged populations. Enhancing access to ITNs and promoting their use, along with broader health education initiatives, could significantly reduce malaria incidence in this vulnerable age group.