BackgroundNigeria suffers the world’s largest malaria burden, with approximately 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths annually. As part of the country’s aim to reduce by 50% malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 2013, it embarked on mass distribution of free long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).MethodsPrior to net distribution campaigns in Abia and Plateau States, Nigeria, a modified malaria indicator survey was conducted in September 2010 to determine baseline state-level estimates of Plasmodium prevalence, childhood anemia, indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bednet ownership and utilization.ResultsOverall age-adjusted prevalence of Plasmodium infection by microscopy was similar between Abia (36.1%, 95% CI: 32.3%–40.1%; n = 2,936) and Plateau (36.6%, 95% CI: 31.3%–42.3%; n = 4,209), with prevalence highest among children 5-9 years. P. malariae accounted for 32.0% of infections in Abia, but only 1.4% of infections in Plateau. More than half of children ≤10 years were anemic, with anemia significantly higher in Abia (76.9%, 95% CI: 72.1%–81.0%) versus Plateau (57.1%, 95% CI: 50.6%–63.4%). Less than 1% of households in Abia (n = 1,305) or Plateau (n = 1,335) received IRS in the 12 months prior to survey. Household ownership of at least one bednet of any type was 10.1% (95% CI: 7.5%–13.4%) in Abia and 35.1% (95% CI: 29.2%-41.5%) in Plateau. Ownership of two or more bednets was 2.1% (95% CI: 1.2%–3.7%) in Abia and 14.5% (95% CI: 10.2%–20.3%) in Plateau. Overall reported net use the night before the survey among all individuals, children <5 years, and pregnant women was 3.4%, 6.0% and 5.7%, respectively in Abia and 14.7%, 19.1% and 21.0%, respectively in Plateau. Among households owning nets, 34.4% of children <5 years and 31.6% of pregnant women in Abia used a net, compared to 52.6% of children and 62.7% of pregnant women in Plateau.ConclusionsThese results reveal high Plasmodium prevalence and childhood anemia in both states, low baseline coverage of IRS and LLINs, and sub-optimal net use—especially among age groups with highest observed malaria burden.

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Nasarawa and Plateau states of north-central Nigeria have implemented programs to control schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in children since the 1990s. Statewide mapping surveys were conducted in 2013, when 11,332 school-aged children were sampled from 226 schools. The local government areas (LGAs) then received varying combinations of mass drug administration (MDA) for the next 5 years. We revisited 196 (87%) schools in 2018 plus an additional six (202 schools in total), sampling 9,660 children. We calculated overall prevalence and intensity of infection and evaluated associations with gender; age; behaviors; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and treatment regimen. Urine heme detection dipsticks were used for Schistosoma hematobium in both surveys, with egg counts added in 2018. Stool samples were examined by Kato-Katz for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, and hookworm. Schistosomiasis prevalence among sampled students dropped from 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.1–14.9%) to 9.0% (95% CI: 7.5–10.9%), a statistically significant change (P < 0.05). In 2018, eight LGAs still had > 1% of children with heavy-intensity schistosome infections. Prevalence of STH infection did not significantly change, with 10.8% (95% CI: 9.36–12.5%) of children positive in 2013 and 9.4% (95% CI: 8.0–10.9%) in 2018 (P = 0.182). Heavy-intensity STH infections were found in < 1% of children with hookworm, and none in children with A. lumbricoides or T. trichiura in either study. The WASH data were collected in 2018, indicating 43.6% of schools had a latrine and 14.4% had handwashing facilities. Although progress is evident, SCH remains a public health problem in Nasarawa and Plateau states.