{
  "abstract": "Background: Asymptomatic malaria infection remains a major challenge for malaria control and elimination efforts, particularly in endemic settings such as Ethiopia. School-aged children are increasingly recognized as a potential reservoir for malaria transmission due to frequent exposure to infection and the development of partial immunity that allows infections to remain clinically silent. However, available evidence on the burden, species distribution, and determinants of asymptomatic malaria in this population is fragmented and inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize evidence on the prevalence, Plasmodium species distribution, and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria among school-aged children in Ethiopia. Methods: This protocol was developed in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect) and additional sources, including Google Scholar and African Journals Online. Eligible studies will include observational studies reporting asymptomatic malaria among school-aged children in Ethiopia. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for prevalence studies. A random-effects meta-analysis will be performed using R software to estimate the pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity will be assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics, and subgroup analyses will be conducted by diagnostic method, study area, study design, years of actual data collection, and transmission season during data collection. Where sufficiently comparable adjusted estimates are available, associations between prespecified factors and AMI will also be quantitatively synthesized. Conclusion: The findings will generate comprehensive evidence to support malaria control and elimination strategies in Ethiopia by highlighting the epidemiological importance of school-aged children as a potential reservoir for infection. The results are expected to inform targeted interventions and strengthen school-based malaria surveillance and prevention programs.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia",
    "Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia",
    "Department of Clinical Hematology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia",
    "Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia",
    "Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia",
    "Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia"
  ],
  "article_type": "Study Protocol",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Philmon Dejen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Belay Beyene"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Tizazu Zenebe Zelelie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Amanuel Kelem"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Abiel Teshome"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Mahider Ayalew"
    },
    {
      "name": "Techalew Shimelis"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ejt8qzbkphezz.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359714",
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  "id": "ejt8qzbkphezz",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359714",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Malaria Research and Control"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Protozoans/Parasitic protozoans/Malarial parasites"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Parasitic diseases/Malaria"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Tropical diseases/Malaria"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/Africa/Ethiopia"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Mathematics/Statistics/Statistical methods/Metaanalysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Database and informatics methods/Database searching"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Mathematical and statistical techniques/Statistical methods/Metaanalysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Research assessment/Systematic reviews"
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  "openalex": "W7214928569",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0359714&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-30",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ejt8qzbkphezz.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0359714",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359714"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "mathematics",
      "origin": "plos:statistical methods",
      "subfield": "statistics"
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    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:systematic reviews",
      "subfield": "clinical-trials"
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    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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  "title": "Burden of asymptomatic malaria among school-aged children: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "title_text": "Burden of asymptomatic malaria among school-aged children: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ejt8qzbkphezz",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}