Journal of Mosquito Research 2015, Vol.5, No.16, 1-4
3
socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents
(parents/caregivers of the selected children) is
presented in Table 1. The study population consist 110
(55.0) males and 90 (45.0%) females of the total study
subjects. The ages of the subjects (children under five
years) range from 0-59 months. 19.5 % of the children
were aged 0-12 months, 26.0% were aged 13-24
months, 22.5% were aged 25-36 months, while
32.0 % were aged 37-48 months.
The overall prevalence of malaria infection in the
present study is 63.0%. The prevalence of infection
amongst children 0-12 months is 37.74%, while the
prevalence of malaria infection in children aged 13 –
24 months, 25 – 36 months and 37 – 48 months is
77.63%, 76.74% and 50.0% respectively. A significant
difference (p< 0.05) exists between malaria infections
across the age group of the children enrolled into the
study. (table 2).
Discussion
The total prevalence of malaria infection in the study
population was 63.0%, for a disease like malaria that
debilitates; it can be described as very high. These
results are similar to those of Aribodor et al., (2003)
who had reported 76% prevalence in Azia, Anambra
State. This result is also higher than the 40% annual
prevalence rate found in Nigeria (FMOH, 2005a). The
higher prevalence of malaria among children age
group 25 -39 months seen in this study is in line with
several studies (WHO, 2005b; Umar and Hassan,
2002; Ukpai and Ajoku, 2001; Salako et al., 1990).
Generally, there is slow acquisition of active immunity
to malaria (Perlmann and Troye-Blomberg, 2000).
Therefore, it is not surprising the situation is the
present study. Children born to immune mothers are
protected against the disease during their first half
Table 1 Demographic characteristics of the subjects enrolled
into the study
Characteristics
Number (%)
Age Range
0 – 12 months
39 (19.5)
13 – 24 months
52 (26.0)
25 – 36 months
45 (22.5)
37 – 48 months
64 (32.0)
Gender
Male
110 (55.0)
Female
90 (45.0)
Table 2 Prevalence of malaria infection across the age groups
of the children examined
Age
(months)
Total
examined
Malaria
positive (%)
Malaria
negative (%)
0- 12
53
20(37.74)
33(62.26)
13 -24
76
59(77.63)
17(22.37)
25-36
43
33(76.74)
10(23.26)
37-48
28
14(50.0)
14(50.0)
Total
200
126(63.0)
74(37.0)
P< 0.05
year of life by maternal antibodies. As they grow older,
after continued exposure from multiple infections with
malaria parasites over time, they build up an acquired
immunity and become relatively protected against
disease and blood stage parasites (Plebanski and Hill,
2000) hence lower prevalence of malaria among the
older age groups. There is a significant difference
(p<0.05) between malaria infection rate across the age
groups.
The present study has revealed high prevalence of
infection amongst children under five years in Olugbo,
Ogun state. Further studies could be undertaken to
investigate other epidemiological parameters responsible
for the high prevalence rate. Government could reduce
the infection rate further down by embarking on
health education campaigns and training on malaria
prevention, particularly educating people on the
importance of not providing conducive dwelling
places for mosquitoes.
The Government should also embark on extensive
vector control to reduce the vector population and
should subsidize anti-malarial drugs; children under
the age of five years should be given free malaria
diagnosis and treatment. It should also provide and
distribute insecticide impregnated nets, free, at the
State as well as at the Local Government levels to
control the malaria scourge. The parents /caregivers of
the children should ensure that their child under five
years sleep under the impregnated nets every night.
References
Afari E.A, Appawu A., Dunyo S., Baffoe-Wilmot A., and Nkrumah F.K.,
1995, Malaria infection, Morbidity and Transmission in two ecological
zones in Southern Ghana, Africa Journal of Health Science, 2: 315-318
FMOH 2001, National Strategic Plan for Roll Back Malaria in Nigeria 2001
– Abuja: Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria; 2001. 2001
FMOH, 2005, National Treatment Guidelines Federal Ministry of Health.
Publication of the FMOH, Nigeria, p. 44
Lines, J., 1996, Mosquito nets and insecticides for net treatment: a
discussion of existing and potential distribution systems in Africa,
Tropical Medicine and International Health
,
1: 616-632
