Ethiopia malaria prevalence pooled at 14% in systematic review

A systematic review and meta-analysis estimated that malaria prevalence among Ethiopia’s general population was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10–19%). The pooled analysis also identified several factors associated with infection: male sex, rural residence, non-use of insecticide-treated nets, lack of indoor residual spraying services, the presence of mosquito breeding sites and previous malaria infection. These findings provide a national-level synthesis of studies conducted in Ethiopia rather than a new survey or a single location-specific estimate.

The researchers systematically searched databases for studies investigating malaria prevalence and associated factors, extracted relevant data and pooled the results using random-effects models. They assessed heterogeneity and publication bias. The review was designed to address the lack of a comprehensive national-level understanding of malaria prevalence and its associated risk factors among the general population. The analysis concerns the general population represented by the included studies and does not establish the prevalence in every region or community.

Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 51% of the pooled prevalence, followed by Plasmodium vivax at 37.5% and mixed infection at 11.5%. These figures describe the parasite composition of the pooled malaria estimate. Male sex was associated with infection at an odds ratio (OR) of 1.93 (95% CI, 1.40–2.66), while rural residence was associated with an OR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.31–4.27). The meta-analysis reports statistical associations and their uncertainty; it does not demonstrate that any of these characteristics directly causes malaria infection.

Preventive-service indicators were also associated with infection. Non-utilization of insecticide-treated nets was associated with an OR of 2.72 (95% CI, 1.13–6.53), and non-use of indoor residual spraying services was associated with an OR of 2.28 (95% CI, 1.57–3.32). The presence of a mosquito breeding site had the largest reported association in the abstract, with an OR of 5.77 (95% CI, 3.15–10.55). A previous malaria infection was associated with an OR of 3.25 (95% CI, 1.85–5.72). Although the confidence intervals for these estimates exclude 1, their ranges also indicate varying degrees of precision around the reported magnitudes.

The authors concluded that the results highlight the importance of targeted malaria interventions, emphasizing insecticide-treated nets particularly in rural areas, wider coverage of those nets and prioritization of high-prevalence areas with abundant mosquito breeding sites. As a synthesis of previously published studies, the meta-analysis depends on the quality and scope of the available datasets, and the pooled prevalence should not be interpreted as a precise forecast for every Ethiopian population. The estimates also do not, by themselves, quantify how much any particular intervention would change prevalence. Instead, they identify conditions associated with infection and provide a consolidated evidence base for evaluating prevention priorities.

Subject of Research: Pooled malaria prevalence and associated factors among Ethiopia’s general population

Article Title: Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among general population in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Article References: Bogale, K. A., Wassie, G. T., Azene, A. G., Asmamaw, D. B., Negash, W. D., Belachew, T. B., Terefe, B., Bantie, G. M., Eshetu, H. B., & Muchie, K. F. (2026). Prevalence and associated factors of malaria among general population in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29604-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29604-2

Keywords: malaria, Ethiopia, systematic review, meta-analysis, prevalence, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, mosquito breeding sites, associated, factors