Determinants of Childhood Malaria Morbidities in Nigeria: Secondary Analysis of 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey

Abstract

Background: In Nigeria, malaria remains an important public health problem accounting for 25% of infant mortality, 30% of under-five mortality and 11% of maternal mortality. Between 2000 and 2010, at least 50% of the population had an episode of malaria per year while under-five children had 2-4 episodes. Currently, malaria parasite prevalence is still high with average prevalence of 45.0%. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey utilizing data from the Nigeria 2015 MIS. The outcome variables were fever in the past two before the survey, positive blood smear for malaria parasite and positive rapid malaria diagnostic test (RDT). Statistical analysis was the survey logistic regression. Results: A total number of 6632 children and 8034 mothers were used for the analysis. Overall, prevalences of fever, malaria parasitaemia and positive RDT are 41%, 27% and 45% respectively. Significant and uniform determinants of the three outcomes are: geopolitical zone, place of residence, wealth quintile and indoor residual spray; other maternal factors are preventive practices and knowledge of malaria prevention.  Conclusion: Socio-economic status and maternal knowledge of malaria prevention are important factors that influence childhood malaria morbidities. These factors need to be taken into consideration when planning malaria control programmes in order to have effective programmes.