Household risk factors for clinical malaria in a semi-urban area of Burkina Faso: a case-control study

The risk of malaria can be influenced by the household environment. The range of these risks can be more diverse in semi-urban areas, which can include a mix of different housing styles and environments. This study examined the effect of different housing and household characteristics on malaria risk among 98 case and 185 control children in the semi-urban area of Nouna, Burkina Faso. Characteristics were assessed via questionnaires and direct inspection. Those characteristics associated with a decreased risk of malaria were floors constructed of earth bricks and running water in the neighbourhood. Electrification of the home and house age of <10 years were associated with an increased risk of malaria. The findings of this study suggest that modification of the household environment could be a feasible way to reduce the risk of malaria, particularly in semi-urban areas.