Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: 
A Retrospective Study

Djafsia Boursou; Adamou Moise; Daiferle Godwe Viviane; Gake Bouba; Abessolo Abessolo Hermine; Okomo Marie Claire

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study

Djafsia Boursou^*

, Adamou Moise

, Daiferle Godwe Viviane

, Gake Bouba

, Abessolo Abessolo Hermine

, Okomo Marie Claire

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 8 April 2026 Accepted: 20 April 2026 Published: 12 May 2026

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Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a leading public health problem in Cameroon, with the northern Sahelian region experiencing intense seasonal transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of malaria infection and its severity at Regional Hospital of Garoua (RHG). Methods: A hospital-based retrospective analysis was conducted between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Records of 3,506 patients with suspected malaria were reviewed. Data from 663 patients with confirmed malaria and complete files were collected and analyzed to determine malaria severity. Results: The prevalence of confirmed malaria was 30.6%. Among the analytical sample of confirmed cases, the population was predominantly male (77.4%) and young children (55.4%). Relevant determinants for malaria infection among suspected cases included age 0-6 years (aOR=3.42), rural residence (aOR=2.25), marshy area residence (aOR=2.18), and non-use of Insecticide Treated Nets (aOR=1.92). Among confirmed cases, 24.8% were severe. Determinants of severe malaria included convulsions (aOR=28.45), delayed presentation (>48h) (aOR=3.76), absence of prior consultation at another health facility (aOR=3.25), and lower paternal education level (aOR=2.85 for no formal education). Conclusion: This study confirms the high malaria burden in northern Cameroon, driven by pediatric age, environmental and seasonal exposure, and healthcare access barriers. Progression to severe disease is strongly associated with specific clinical signs, paternal education level, and care-seeking behavior.

Published in	Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11
Page(s)	130-140
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Malaria, Determinants, Garoua, Retrospective Study, Prevalence

1. Introduction

Malaria is a major public health problem caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. It is endemic in several countries on at least three continents and particularly targets children aged 0-5 years and pregnant women, and to a lesser extent, the rest of the population in endemic areas

[1]

. In 2024, approximately 282 million people worldwide were infected, with an incidence of 64 cases per 1,000 individuals in endemic areas. Africa is the most affected continent, with sub-Saharan countries accounting for approximately 94% of diagnosed cases. In the last two decades, the African region alone has accounted for 1.7 million cases and more than 12 million deaths

[2]

Cameroon is highly endemic, with an overall incidence of 100.5 cases per 1,000 inhabitants, which is markedly higher than the global incidence

[3]

. In 2024, approximately 3 million cases were registered in Cameroon, of which more than one-third involved children aged 0-5 years

[3]

. The main species threatening the health of Cameroonians is P. falciparum, which is present throughout the country in most cities and villages. Several approaches to control are currently implemented by Cameroonian health authorities, such as the distribution of mosquito insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and intermittent administration of preventive drug therapies with relative success. A recent study showed insufficient coverage of the targeted population regarding the assigned objective of 80%, with approximately 59% of households having enough ITNs, of which approximately 72% of people used them either occasionally or regularly

[4]

. Elsewhere, the income and education of the household head influence the access and use of ITNs and, therefore, may influence the occurrence of malaria

[4]

, particularly in such a region

[5]

The North Region of Cameroon, where Garoua is located, is a Sahelian zone characterized by a short rainy season (3–4 months) and intense seasonal transmission. This region is among the poorest in the country

[6]

and therefore lacks access to health facilities and education

[7, 8]

. The Regional Hospital of Garoua (RHG) serves as a critical referral center for malaria cases in this region. Although national control strategies are in place, localized epidemiological data from hospital settings in this region remain limited.

Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria and identify the key determinants associated with both infection and disease severity among patients attending the RHG, Cameroon.

2. Methods

2.1. Study Design

This study was a retrospective review of hospital records conducted at the RHG (9°18'19"N, 13°23'17"E) in the northern region of Cameroon. It is a health structure of the 2nd category according to the Cameroonian sanitary map.

Study Period and Population

The study population was represented by the records of all patients suspected of having malaria from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023, at the Regional Hospital of Garoua.

2.2. Data Collection

For all patients, data on malaria test results (positive/negative), age, sex, residence, and season were extracted. Patients with confirmed malaria, data on environmental exposure (marshy areas), symptoms, prior healthcare-seeking, parental education, and disease severity were further extracted.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0. The prevalence was calculated from the total suspected cohort (N=3,506), considering confirmed positive cases. Two separate multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

1) Determinants of Infection: Using the full cohort, with the outcome being a positive malaria test.

2) Determinants of Severity: Using only confirmed cases with complete files (n=663), with the outcome being severe (vs. uncomplicated) malaria.

Results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

2.4. Ethical Considerations

This research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (1964). Ethical approval was granted by the Garoua Regional Ethics Committee under reference N° 0020/CERSH/NO/2024 on the 22^nd of January 2024, and administrative authorization N°144/24/L/HRG/CM on the 25^th of January 2024 was obtained from the Director of the Regional Hospital of Garoua. Patient data were anonymized prior to analysis.

3. Results

3.1. Study Population and Prevalence

From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023, records of 3,506 patients with suspected malaria were reviewed. Among them, 1,074 patients (30.6%) had a confirmed malaria diagnosis after biological assays. Of the confirmed cases, 663 (61.7%) had complete files and constituted the analytical sample for the severity determinant analysis. The analysis of infection determinants used the full cohort of 3,506 suspected cases.

3.2. Sociodemographic Characteristics

Sex distribution and environmental characteristics

Table 1 presents the socio-demographic characteristics of the study population. The studied population was essentially young, with approximately 55% aged 0–5 years. Male patients were the most represented (17 of 5), and most of the patients came from rural and marshy areas.

Table 1. Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Analytical Sample (N=663).

Characteristic	Category	Frequency (n)	Percentage (%)
Sex,	Male	513	77.4
Sex,	Female	150	22.6
Sex Ratio (M: F)	3.4: 1
Age Group	0-5 years	367	55.4
	6-20 years	232	35.0
	21-35 years	52	7.8
	36-65 years	12	1.8
Residence Type	Rural	447	67.4
Residence Type,	Urban	216	32.6
Environmental Exposure	Marshy Area	384	57.9
Environmental Exposure	Non-Marshy Area	279	42.1

Neighborhood Distribution

The patients originated from 22 distinct neighborhoods, regardless of their comfort. Figure 1 presents the distribution of patients according to their neighborhood. The top eight neighborhoods have similar frequencies and represent the popular neighborhoods of the city. The less represented are either far from the regional hospital, or have a health structure of 3rd or 1st category near their home, or live in a residential neighborhood where the inhabitants have a higher income.

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 1. Distribution of attendance frequencies of patients according to the neighborhood (N= 663).

Other neighborhoods (with <40 patients each): Lainde (35), Plateau (23), Djamboutou (18), Soweto (18), Lagdo (17), Kanadi (16), Marouare (14), Ouro-labo (13), Nigeriare (13), Guider (12), Pitoa (10), Ngalbidje (10), Ngong (8), Quartier Bamileke (5), Djaouro-Baba (5).

This figure depicts the frequencies of malaria-positive cases of patients according to the neighborhoods where they live in a population of 663 positive cases. The proportions in percentage of patients from 22 neighborhoods of the studied city (Garoua) are represented with an emphasis on the first 8 with the highest proportions.

3.3. Clinical Presentation

Clinical Symptoms

Several symptoms were registered, including classic symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache, asthenia, and convulsions, which were the most frequent, with approximately 75% of the observed clinical signs. Less frequent symptoms included diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia, and arthralgia. The figure below presents the details of the symptoms.

*Includes diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia, and arthralgia.

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 2. Frequencies of clinical symptoms of patients.

This figure presents the relative frequencies of each clinical symptom over all the observed symptoms reccurent of not.

Seasonal Distribution

The Garoua region experiences a distinct unimodal rainy season lasting approximately four months (typically May to August), followed by a prolonged 8-month dry season. Hospital attendance among patients with complete files was 329 (40.62%) for the rainy season and 334 (50.38) for the dry season.

Healthcare Access, Clinical Management, and Outcomes

Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Before Admission

Table 2 presents the patients’ behavior when seeking care. The primary choice of the GHR in almost ¾ of cases (71.5%) demonstrates a good reputation for the RHG and weak fulfillment of its function as a referring hospital.

Table 2. Patients’ choice when seeking care.

Parameter	Category	Number of Patients	Percentage (%)
Therapeutic pathway before RHG admission	Yes	474	71.5
Therapeutic pathway before RHG admission	No	189	28.5
Consultation in another Health Facility	Yes	189	28.5
Consultation in another Health Facility	No	474	71.5

Compliance with Clinical Guidelines

An assessment of the clinical management quality of 663 patients revealed high adherence to national treatment and diagnostic protocols. As presented in the table below, more than 98% of the prescribed treatments were performed in compliance with the recommendations.

Table 3. Observance of recommendations on diagnostic and clinical management.

Clinical Management Parameter	Category	Number of Patients	Percentage (%)
Treatment Compliance	Yes	656	98.9
Treatment Compliance	No	7	1.1
Diagnostic Pathway Compliance	Yes	653	98.5
Diagnostic Pathway Compliance	No	10	1.5

Final Health Status

The final health outcomes of the 663 patients in the analytical cohort are presented below. Approximately 85% of patients were normally taken care of and followed up. The remaining patients were either discharged against medical advice or escaped from the hospital. More than 60% of patients were known to be free of malaria after their treatment, and 5% unfortunately died. A significant proportion of patients (33.79) had unknown follow-up status, which may be attributed to a lack of registration by the hospital staff.

*Discharged Against Medical Advice

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 3. Distribution of patients according to the final health status (N=663).

This figure represents the relative frequencies of each kind of outcome as final status of the followed-up patients.

Socioeconomic Factors

3.4. Father's Education Level

Data on the fathers’ education level were available for 628 patients (94.7% of the sample). These data show that approximately 85% of the patients attending RHG were educated at least to the level of primary school, and very few (5%) did not receive a formal education and were not even able to read.

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 4. Distribution of patients according to the education level of the fathers (N=583).

This figure presents a circle diagram of proportion in percentage of parents according to their education (formal or not).

3.5. Monthly Household Income and Malaria Severity

Data on monthly household income (USD) and its association with disease severity among confirmed cases are presented below. The data show a clear inverse relationship between income levels and the proportion of severe malaria cases. The more a patient or the head of the family earns, the less likely they are to develop severe malaria.

This figure depicts the frequencies of uncomplicated and severe malaria as a function of the monthly income of the parent in charge of the household.

The proportion of patients with severe malaria decreased sharply as household income increased. More than 95% of severe malaria was observed when the head of household earned less than 30,000 CFA monthly, whereas in the highest income category (>100,000 CFA), severe cases constituted less than half (44.95%) of patients in this category.

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 5. Comparison of severe and uncomplicated malaria with respect to the monthly income of the head of household.

3.6. Disease Severity Among Confirmed Cases

Within the analytical sample of 663 confirmed cases, 459 cases were classified for severity analysis after excluding cases with insufficient clinical details for severity grading. Among these patients, 345 (75.2%) had uncomplicated malaria, and 24.8% (114) had severe malaria.

3.7. Determinants of Malaria Infection

Table 4. Determinants of Malaria Infection (Full Suspected Cohort, N=3,506).

Factor	Category	aOR	95% CI	p-value
Age Group	0-6 years	3.42	2.91 – 4.01	<0.001
	6-20 years	1.28	1.09 – 1.51	0.003
	>20 years		Ref.
Residence Type	Rural	2.25	1.98 – 2.56	<0.001
Residence Type	Urban	Ref.
Environmental Exposure	Marshy Area	2.18	1.89 – 2.52	<0.001
Environmental Exposure	Non-Marshy Area	Ref.
Season	Rainy Season	1.88	1.62 – 2.18	<0.001
Season	Dry Season	Ref.
ITNs Use	No	1.92	1.61 – 2.29	<0.001
ITNs Use	Yes	Ref.
Prior Consultation	Yes	0.62	0.51 – 0.75	<0.001
Prior Consultation	No	Ref.
Father's Education	Higher	0.58	0.45 – 0.75	<0.001
	Secondary	0.72	0.57 – 0.91	0.006
	Primary	0.85	0.68 – 1.06	0.148
		Ref.

Multivariable logistic regression identified the following independent determinants of a positive malaria test result among all suspected cases. Table 4 shows a highly significant positive association between younger age, residing in rural and marshy areas, the rainy season, non-use of ITNs, and malaria infection. Elsewhere, a moderate negative association was observed between those aged 6–20 years old, being educated (higher or secondary school), and malaria infection.

3.8. Determinants of Severe Malaria

Among confirmed cases, several factors, including clinical symptoms, clinical course, healthcare access, age, father’s education, use of ITNs, type of environment (marshy or not), season, and sex of the patient, affected the progression to severe disease. Table 5 details each factor in the occurrence of severe malaria. Convulsions, delayed presentation in the sanitary structure, younger age, and absence of prior consultation were strongly associated with severe malaria (P<0.001). Father’s education, non-use of ITNs, dwelling in marshy areas, and the rainy season were moderately associated with the occurrence of severe malaria (P>0.001), but the gender of the patient was not (P>0.05).

Table 5. Determinants of Severe Malaria (Among Confirmed Cases, n=459).

Factor	Category	aOR	95% CI	p-value
Clinical Symptoms	Convulsions (Present)	28.45	15.80 – 51.20	<0.001
Clinical Symptoms	Absent	Ref.
Clinical Course	Delayed Presentation (>48h)	3.76	2.31 – 6.11	<0.001
Clinical Course	Presentation ≤48h	Ref.
Healthcare Access	No Prior FOSA Consultation	3.25	1.98 – 5.33	<0.001
Healthcare Access	Prior Consultation	Ref.
Age Group	0-6 years	3.85	2.31 – 6.42	<0.001
Age Group	>20 years	Ref.
Father's Education	No Formal Education	2.85	1.42 – 5.72	0.003
Father's Education	Higher Education	Ref.
ITNs Use	Non-use of ITNs	2.18	1.31 – 3.61	0.003
ITNs Use	ITNs Use	Ref.
Environmental Exposure	Marshy Area	2.05	1.29 – 3.26	0.002
Environmental Exposure	Non-Marshy Area	Ref.
Season	Rainy Season	2.08	1.12 – 3.85	0.020
Season	Dry Season	Ref.
Sex	Male	1.12	0.71 – 1.77	0.624
Sex	Female	Ref.

4. Discussion

The studied population of confirmed malaria patients exhibited notable heterogeneity in gender distribution, with a marked predominance of males. This imbalance mirrors the general population demographics in Cameroon, where boys outnumber girls in the 0–5-year age group

[3]

. The lack of a significant association between sex and severe malaria in the multivariable analysis (Table 5: aOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.71–1.77, p=0.624) further supports that this reflects demographic patterns rather than any substantial sex-based susceptibility to malaria progression in young children. Conversely, the robust association between younger age (0–6 years) and both malaria infection and severe disease aligns with established epidemiological trends, where young children are disproportionately affected by the most severe forms of malaria due to developing immunity

[9-11]

. Moreover, socioeconomic factors, such as low household income and limited paternal education, significantly heighten the risk of malaria infection and its progression to severe forms, underscoring the critical influence of broader societal determinants on disease outcomes

[12, 13]

The observed distribution of patients appears to be proportional to their proximity to the RHG, the nearest of which is the neighborhood “Yelwa” known for various activities during the day and night. This pattern aligns with our findings on residence type, where urban areas served as the reference category for malaria infection risk compared to rural areas (aOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.98–2.56, p<0.001; Table 4), indicating easier access for nearby urban dwellers. A similar observation was made by other authors, indicating an influence of distance and consequently the means of transport on attendance to health facilities

[14, 15]

and sometimes leading to a worsening of patients' status

[16]

. This highlights the critical role of geographical accessibility and infrastructure in mediating health-seeking behaviors and disease prognosis.

This study presented fever as the main symptom in positive patients, as observed in non-severe or severe malaria cases

[17]

. These few occurrences of convulsions suggest a reduced frequency of severe malaria in the studied population. Severe malaria is characterized by convulsive seizures, fever, and other clinical signs

[17, 18]

The observed attendance frequency in the rainy and dry seasons was similar, although the rainy season was shorter (4 months), indicating that transmission was approximately twice as active in this season. The rainy season is favorable for mosquito breeding, with numerous breeding sites that facilitate malaria transmission compared to the dry season

[5, 19]

. Thus, the incidence rate was higher during the rainy season.

Patients do not choose to go directly to the RHG without consultation in lower-category health facilities or with their traditional healers. This observation may indicate patients’ dissatisfaction when visiting these lower-category health facilities because of their quality or limited financial means to sustain their health charges. Similar observations have been made by other authors

[20, 21]

, confirming the influence of quality on the choice of health facility.

The recommendation for the management of malaria relies on the WHO guidelines ruling the categorization of clinical features and the suitable approach to management

[22]

. These recommendations particularly the “test and treat” approach, were broadly applied by practitioners of RHG, as reported for most low- and middle-income countries

[23]

The observed deaths may be attributed to the severity of the disease and inadequate follow-up upon patients' arrival at the RHG, despite this health facility's strict adherence to WHO recommendations

[22]

. This underscores the need for continuous evaluation of clinical practice, especially concerning the timely and appropriate administration of parenteral antimalarial treatments and referrals for severe cases, to mitigate avoidable mortality

[24]

The lack of formal education influenced the ability of the household head to obtain useful information on the origin of malaria and the way of healing or preventing infection. Since the head of household (generally men) ensures the entire family’s health through his financial resources, his understanding of the disease greatly influences malaria incidence in his family. A similar observation was made by Nyasa et al. (2023) in the neighboring region of Maroua (Cameroon) and by other authors who observed the influence of household head education and knowledge of the community on the incidence of malaria in children

[25, 26]

The observed increase in prevalence inversely with income could be explained by the direct relationship between financial means and quality treatment of malaria and prevention against mosquito bites. Household heads and the number of family members, particularly children, are additional factors that may be considered in malaria control at the family level. It has been established that family incomes influence the incidence of malaria in families in sub-Saharan countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Tanzania

[25]

Approximately 25% of patients were infected with the severe form, which may include an important proportion of children, considering that they are more susceptible to severe malaria. The observed frequency in this study was similar to that of Chiabi et al. (2020) in Yaoundé and suggests a national proportion of severe malaria approximately 25% among malaria patients.

Malaria infection is influenced by multiple factors, which result in a high probability of infection. The influence of age is related to the fragility of the immune response of young children (less than 6 years old), their inability to apply control measures conveniently to avoid mosquito bites, and the education or awareness of their parents

[27]

Severe malaria occurred more frequently in younger patients in this study, those aged 0-6 years, than in young adults >20 years. Convulsions are the most frequently reported clinical feature among several features in young children, such as respiratory distress or clinical jaundice (Olupot‐Olupot et al., 2020). As recommended by the WHO guidelines, the observation of one of these severe clinical features is sufficient, in addition to parasitological evidence, to conclude a case of severe malaria

[22]

. Elsewhere, neurological disorders authors present neurological disorders as the main sign of severity, including convulsions in the same sub-region

[10]

. These factors are interdependent due to their cause-effect relationship. As an illustration, the misuse or non-use of ITNs exposes young children to frequent bites from mosquito vectors that may transmit a large number of parasites, which may lead to severe malaria

[2]

, knowing that hyperparasitemia is one of the signs of severe malaria. The evolution from uncomplicated malaria to severe malaria seems to be driven by the host’s intrinsic factors, such as age, with the consequence of low circulation of antibodies and low premunition

[28]

. In addition, the father’s education level may impact his reactivity in the event of an infection of a household member, resulting in a treatment delay of 24 h to 7 days, which significantly increases the risk of evolution to severe malaria

[24]

. The rainy season was found, similar to numerous studies

[29-31]

, to be conducive to malaria episodes and contribute to a lesser extent to the severity of malaria via the possible transmission of resistant strains of Plasmodium

[28]

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, this study confirms that malaria in northern Cameroon is driven by a convergence of demographic (young age), environmental (marshy residence), and behavioral (healthcare access, prevention) factors. The prevalence of malaria among the suspected population was 30.6%, a close value to the national prevalence. Severity is powerfully signaled by specific symptoms like convulsions and exacerbated by delays in appropriate care. Elsewhere, this study supports the use of ITNs, seasonal and environmental control measures as first approaches for malaria prevention. In addition, sensitization and community-directed education are needed to strengthen prevention and evolution to severe malaria. Prevention approaches directed to young children are required to reduce severe malaria prevalence efficiently and ensure a safer childhood in Garoua. A further investigation into the reason of gender disparity in hospital attendance and the role of maternal education may give better insight to stakeholders for malaria control and eradication.

Abbreviations

DAMA	Discharged Against Medical Advice
ITNs	Insecticide Treated Nets
RHG	Regional Hospital of Garoua
USD	United States’ Dollar

Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of the Regional Hospital of Garoua. We also acknowledge Mr. YOUSSOUFA, Mr. NETTAOULASSA Calvin, and Mr. ABOUBAKAR for their assistance in the hospital. The authors would like to acknowledge the use of Jenni.ai and Grammarly ai for writing assistance and grammatical editing to improve readability and reduce spelling mistakes in this manuscript.

Author Contributions

Djafsia Boursou: Conceptualization, Data curation, Resources, Writing – original draft

Adamou Moise: Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation

Daiferle Godwe Viviane: Investigation, Methodology, Software

Gake Bouba: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing

Abessolo Abessolo Hermine: Project administration, Supervision, Validation

Okomo Marie Claire: Project administration, Supervision, Validation

Funding

The author's personal funds funded the research activities and author processing charges (APC).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Boursou, D., Moise, A., Viviane, D. G., Bouba, G., Hermine, A. A., et al. (2026). Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Central African Journal of Public Health, 12(3), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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Boursou, D.; Moise, A.; Viviane, D. G.; Bouba, G.; Hermine, A. A., et al. Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2026, 12(3), 130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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Boursou D, Moise A, Viviane DG, Bouba G, Hermine AA, et al. Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2026;12(3):130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11,
  author = {Djafsia Boursou and Adamou Moise and Daiferle Godwe Viviane and Gake Bouba and Abessolo Abessolo Hermine and Okomo Marie Claire},
  title = {Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: 
A Retrospective Study},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {130-140},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20261203.11},
  abstract = {Background: Malaria remains a leading public health problem in Cameroon, with the northern Sahelian region experiencing intense seasonal transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of malaria infection and its severity at Regional Hospital of Garoua (RHG). Methods: A hospital-based retrospective analysis was conducted between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Records of 3,506 patients with suspected malaria were reviewed. Data from 663 patients with confirmed malaria and complete files were collected and analyzed to determine malaria severity. Results: The prevalence of confirmed malaria was 30.6%. Among the analytical sample of confirmed cases, the population was predominantly male (77.4%) and young children (55.4%). Relevant determinants for malaria infection among suspected cases included age 0-6 years (aOR=3.42), rural residence (aOR=2.25), marshy area residence (aOR=2.18), and non-use of Insecticide Treated Nets (aOR=1.92). Among confirmed cases, 24.8% were severe. Determinants of severe malaria included convulsions (aOR=28.45), delayed presentation (>48h) (aOR=3.76), absence of prior consultation at another health facility (aOR=3.25), and lower paternal education level (aOR=2.85 for no formal education). Conclusion: This study confirms the high malaria burden in northern Cameroon, driven by pediatric age, environmental and seasonal exposure, and healthcare access barriers. Progression to severe disease is strongly associated with specific clinical signs, paternal education level, and care-seeking behavior.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon:
A Retrospective Study
AU - Djafsia Boursou
AU - Adamou Moise
AU - Daiferle Godwe Viviane
AU - Gake Bouba
AU - Abessolo Abessolo Hermine
AU - Okomo Marie Claire
Y1 - 2026/05/12
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11
DO - 10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11
T2 - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP - 130
EP - 140
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5781
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11
AB - Background: Malaria remains a leading public health problem in Cameroon, with the northern Sahelian region experiencing intense seasonal transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of malaria infection and its severity at Regional Hospital of Garoua (RHG). Methods: A hospital-based retrospective analysis was conducted between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Records of 3,506 patients with suspected malaria were reviewed. Data from 663 patients with confirmed malaria and complete files were collected and analyzed to determine malaria severity. Results: The prevalence of confirmed malaria was 30.6%. Among the analytical sample of confirmed cases, the population was predominantly male (77.4%) and young children (55.4%). Relevant determinants for malaria infection among suspected cases included age 0-6 years (aOR=3.42), rural residence (aOR=2.25), marshy area residence (aOR=2.18), and non-use of Insecticide Treated Nets (aOR=1.92). Among confirmed cases, 24.8% were severe. Determinants of severe malaria included convulsions (aOR=28.45), delayed presentation (>48h) (aOR=3.76), absence of prior consultation at another health facility (aOR=3.25), and lower paternal education level (aOR=2.85 for no formal education). Conclusion: This study confirms the high malaria burden in northern Cameroon, driven by pediatric age, environmental and seasonal exposure, and healthcare access barriers. Progression to severe disease is strongly associated with specific clinical signs, paternal education level, and care-seeking behavior.
VL - 12
IS - 3
ER -

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Author Information

Djafsia Boursou

Department of Microbiology, University of Garoua, Garoua, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6729-1725
Adamou Moise

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4382-4259
Daiferle Godwe Viviane

Department of Microbiology, University of Garoua, Garoua, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6536-3443
Gake Bouba

Department of Microbiology, University of Garoua, Garoua, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2739-5121
Abessolo Abessolo Hermine

Department of Microbiology, University of Garoua, Garoua, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9967-7788
Okomo Marie Claire

Department of Microbiology, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2767-8054

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APA Style

Boursou, D., Moise, A., Viviane, D. G., Bouba, G., Hermine, A. A., et al. (2026). Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Central African Journal of Public Health, 12(3), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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ACS Style

Boursou, D.; Moise, A.; Viviane, D. G.; Bouba, G.; Hermine, A. A., et al. Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2026, 12(3), 130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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AMA Style

Boursou D, Moise A, Viviane DG, Bouba G, Hermine AA, et al. Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Study. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2026;12(3):130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11,
  author = {Djafsia Boursou and Adamou Moise and Daiferle Godwe Viviane and Gake Bouba and Abessolo Abessolo Hermine and Okomo Marie Claire},
  title = {Prevalence and Determinants of Malaria at the Regional Hospital of Garoua in the North Region of Cameroon: 
A Retrospective Study},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {130-140},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20261203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20261203.11},
  abstract = {Background: Malaria remains a leading public health problem in Cameroon, with the northern Sahelian region experiencing intense seasonal transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of malaria infection and its severity at Regional Hospital of Garoua (RHG). Methods: A hospital-based retrospective analysis was conducted between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Records of 3,506 patients with suspected malaria were reviewed. Data from 663 patients with confirmed malaria and complete files were collected and analyzed to determine malaria severity. Results: The prevalence of confirmed malaria was 30.6%. Among the analytical sample of confirmed cases, the population was predominantly male (77.4%) and young children (55.4%). Relevant determinants for malaria infection among suspected cases included age 0-6 years (aOR=3.42), rural residence (aOR=2.25), marshy area residence (aOR=2.18), and non-use of Insecticide Treated Nets (aOR=1.92). Among confirmed cases, 24.8% were severe. Determinants of severe malaria included convulsions (aOR=28.45), delayed presentation (>48h) (aOR=3.76), absence of prior consultation at another health facility (aOR=3.25), and lower paternal education level (aOR=2.85 for no formal education). Conclusion: This study confirms the high malaria burden in northern Cameroon, driven by pediatric age, environmental and seasonal exposure, and healthcare access barriers. Progression to severe disease is strongly associated with specific clinical signs, paternal education level, and care-seeking behavior.},
 year = {2026}
}

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