Estimating Causal Effects of Malaria Infection on Anaemia Among Children Under Five Years in Uganda: Evidence From a Cross‐Sectional Malaria Indicator Survey

Abstract

Malaria and anemia remain major public health challenges contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although conventional regression analyses have reported a significant association between malaria infection and anemia, these approaches often inadequately account for socioeconomic and demographic confounders, thereby limiting causal interpretation. This study aimed to estimate the causal effect of malaria infection on anemia among children under five in Uganda using a robust quasi‐experimental approach.