Malaria kills over one million people and causes 300-500 million episodes of illness in the world yearly. Africa is the most affected, recording about 3000 deaths daily and ten new cases of attack every second. Kisumu City, Kenya is classified by the WHO as holoendemic area hence prone to malarial disease. Kisumu just like most societies experiencing unequal economic and social positions, has a record of inequality in malaria morbidity across various classes of people. This study was examining socio-economic inequalities and malaria morbidity experiences among different classes of residents of Kisumu City. The general objective was to examine the relationship between socio-economic inequality and morbidity due to malaria experiences in Kisumu City. Specific objectives were to; establish the extent of socio-economic inequalities; examine the factors associated with socio-economic inequalities and morbidity due to malaria experiences; identify the pattern of morbidity due to malaria experiences among different classes of residents of Kisumu City. The study hypothesized that Poor people are more prone to malaria attacks than the well off, and that socio-economic status of households has an impact on morbidity due to malaria experiences. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Random sampling technique was used to arrive at a sample of 120 respondents. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. SPSS was used to generate frequencies, percentages and mean as part of descriptive analysis while correlation was used to establish the relationships existing between the socio-economic inequalities and morbidity due to malaria experiences. Results were presented using frequency tables, and charts. Study findings indicated an association between a higher number of the residents living in poverty and many lives claimed by malaria stand at R = 0.449. Also there was an association between the poverty level of Kisumu City residents and high cost of malaria medication as indicated by R = 0.459. From these findings, it was recommended that the Ministry of health should come up with a policy to control the incidences of free nets provided by the Government and NGOs are being sold by beneficiaries, The government should move with speed to establish a mandatory pro-poor, health scheme to reduce medical burden. This study is significant to policy makers, NGOs and various stakeholders, concerned with war against malaria, and to academia as a reference material for researchers and scholars.

Malaria Morbidity, Poverty, Socio-Economic, Kisumu City