Malaria Control Strategies among Rural Dwellers in a Typical Nigerian Setting

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan African, including Nigeria, causing 63% of total outpatient attendance in health facilities, 30% under-five mortality, and 11% of maternal mortality. Malaria control practices remain a major strategy in the combat of this menace. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the malaria control strategies utilized among rural dwellers in the Ezza North local government area (LGA) of Ebonyi state. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which employed systematic sampling technique in selecting 200 households in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi state where households were allotted numbers and every second households were selected. The interviewer administered questionnaire that was used to interview one respondent per household. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using frequency tables and charts. Results: The age range of respondents' was between 18 and 80 years with majority of 137 (68.5%) aged 18-40 years. The majority of respondents were females (59.5%), married (60.0%) while 23.0% had tertiary education. The prevalence of malaria within the preceding 6 months was 56.5%. Fourteen (12.4%) of those who suffered malaria in the preceding 6 months reported they were diagnosed using malaria rapid diagnostic test kits. Furthermore, 59.3% of them were treated using orthodox medicines. Control strategies practiced by respondents included a combination of environmental sanitation and other preventive measures. The findings revealed that 60 (30.0%) used door/window nets, 49 (24.5%) used indoor insecticidal spray, 38 (19.0%) used long-lasting insecticidal bed net, 24 (12.0%) used protective clothing's, 10 (5.0%) used mosquito repellant cream, and 4 (2.0%) used electronic insect catcher while 15 (7.5%) used coil/smoke to drive away mosquitoes. The type of environmental sanitation practiced by the respondents included; clearing of bushes/cutting down of water-bearing plants (28.5%), clearing of gutters and covering of potholes in the surrounding (28.0%), and removal of open water containers (9.0%) while 34.5% practiced a combination of the above-mentioned methods. Furthermore, 52.0% of respondents reported that the preventive measure they adopted was "effective." Conclusion: From the study, it is evident that the prevalence of malaria is still high due to inconsistent utilization of malaria prevention measures especially the use of long-lasting insecticidal treated nets (LLITNs) and poor environmental sanitation practices creating breeding sites for malaria vector. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen

Malaria among the elderly in five communities of Osun East district, Southwest Nigeria: Prevalence and association with non-communicable diseases

“…The study noted usage rates of LLIN/IRS that were less than desirable, suggesting a need to scale up programmes and interventions targeting improved effective use of such. 10 , 39 , 40 On the other hand, the lack of association between malaria RDT positivity rate and the usage of LLIN/IRS suggests a need for review of the effectiveness of the strategy. 41 This may be due to the fact that the effectiveness of vector control strategies such as LLIN depends on certain vector parameters which may be different across regions or may change over time within the same region.…”

“…Osun State, with an estimated population of 5.5 million people, is one of the 36 states in Nigeria. It is subdivided into 3 senatorial districts, each of which comprise 10 LGAs, making a total of 30 LGAs in the state.…”

“…1 – 6 Case management and vector control through the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) remain important components of malaria control strategies in Nigeria. 7 – 10 …”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Case management and vector control through the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) remain important components of malaria control strategies in Nigeria. [7][8][9][10] Malaria is known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality, predominantly among children and pregnant women. [11][12][13] The elderly population were not considered to be at risk of significant morbidity and mortality due to partial immunity conferred by persistent exposure to malaria over the years.…”