Table 3

Factors associated with P. falciparum infection and anaemia (Hb < 11 g/dl), significant associations in univariate tests (N = 296)1

Variables tested
Prevalence of P. falciparum infection (95% CI)
Prevalence of Hb < 11 (95% CI)

Education ≥ middle school




     No (n = 132)
40.9%
(32.5, 49.3)***
63.6%
(55.4, 71.8)***
     Yes (n = 164)
12.8%
(7.7, 17.9)
39.6%
(32.1, 47.1)
Ethnic group




     Akan/Ga/Ewe (n = 167)
16.2%
(10.6, 21.8)***
35.9%
(28.6, 43.2)***
     North/Immigrant (n = 129)
37.2%
(28.9, 45.5)
69.0%
(61.0, 77.0)
Socioeconomic score2




     Lowest (n = 80)
47.5%
(36.6, 58.4)***
67.5%
(57.2, 77.8)**
     Middle (n = 109)
26.6%
(18.3, 34.9)
47.7%
(38.3, 57.1)
     Highest (n = 107)
7.5%
(2.5, 12.5)
40.2%
(30.9, 49.5)
Use repellents/coils/sprays




     No (n = 83)
15.7%
(7.9, 23.5)*
41.0%
(30.4, 51.6)*
     Yes (n = 213)
29.1%
(23.0, 35.2)
54.0%
(47.3, 60.7)
Nearest health facility3




     < 150 m (n = 97)
12.4%
(5.8, 19.0)***
45.4%
(35.5, 55.3)**
     150–250 m (n = 112)
26.8%
(18.6, 35.0)
42.9%
(33.7, 52.1)
     ≥ 250 m (n = 87)
37.9%
(27.7, 48.1)
65.5%
(55.5, 75.5)
Child sex




     Male (n = 138)
24.6%
(17.4, 31.8)
58.0%
(49.8, 66.2)*
     Female (n = 158)
25.9%
(19.1, 32.7)
43.7%
(36.0, 51.4)
Child age group




     1–3 years (n = 108)
15.7%
(8.8, 22.6)**
61.1%
(51.9, 70.3)**
     4–6 years (n = 106)
34.0%
(25.0, 43.0)
51.9%
(42.4, 61.4)
     7–9 years (n = 82)
26.8%
(17.2, 36.4)
34.1%
(23.8, 44.4)
Rural travel, past 3 weeks




     No (n = 286)
23.8%
(18.9, 28.7)**
49.3%
(43.5, 55.1)
     Yes (n = 10)
70.0%
(41.6, 98.4)
80.0%
(55.2, 100)
Malnourished(stunted, wasted or underweight)




     No (n = 226/294)
24.8%
(19.2, 30.4)
46.5%
(40.0, 53.0)*
     Yes (n = 68/294)
26.5%
(16.0, 37.0)
63.2%
(51.7, 74.7)
Stunted (height-for-age Z-score < -2)




     No (n = 253/295)
23.7%
(18.5, 28.9)
47.0%
(40.8, 53.2)**
     Yes (n = 42/295)
33.3%
(19.0, 47.6)
71.4%
(57.7, 85.1)
P. falciparum infection




     No (n = 221)
n/a
42.1%
(35.6, 48.6)***
     Yes (n = 75)


74.7%
(64.9, 84.5)
Clinical malaria4




     No (n = 266)
n/a
47.0%
(41.0, 53.0)**
     Yes (n = 30)


80.0%
(65.7, 94.3)

1. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001

2. Based on World Bank asset scores for Ghana [12]: lowest (scores = 0,1), middle (2), highest (3.4)

3. Health facility = government hospital or primary care clinic

4. Clinical malaria: P. falciparum with reported fever in past 48 hours and/or current axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C

Ronald et al. Malaria Journal 2006 5:105   doi:10.1186/1475-2875-5-105