1. MALARIA PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT SEEKING BEHAVIOUR
INTRODUCTION
Malaria is endemic to Africa, accounting for about 90% of all malaria deaths in
the world today that occur south of the Sahara (Sokhey j,2002). Malaria and its terrible
effects is as ancient as the history of civilization. It is seen to have probably originated in
Africa, fossils of mosquitoes ranging 30 million years old shows that the vector for
malaria was present before the earliest history of man, and it is believed early travelers
might have likely brought strains of Plasmodium from Africa to other parts of the globe.
Worldwide malaria affects 3.3 billion people or half of the world’s population in
106 countries and territories. WorldHealth Organization estimates 216 million cases of
malaria in 2010.(WHO 2010), 81% in the Africa region. WHO estimates 655,000 malaria
deaths in 2010, 91% in the Africa region and 86% were children under 5years of age.
Malaria is the 3rd leading cause of death for children under 5years worldwide. (World
Health report 2002)
In Nigeria, malaria is a major health problem it is a risk for 97% of Nigeria’s
population. There are an estimated 100 million malaria cases with over 300,000 deaths
per year in Nigeria. Malaria has the greatest prevalence close to 50% in children age 5-59
months in the South-West, North-Central and North –West regions. Almost 1 out of 5
deaths of children under 5 in Africa are due to malaria. (World Health Report 2003)
The Socio-economic burden of malaria placed on Nigeria and the world is
relatively very high, in which money which ought to have been invested in other sectors
such as Education are being invested in malaria sensitization programs such as roll back
Malaria. As of 11th 2013 at a ECOWAS meeting at Portharcourt, the president Goodluck
Jonathan confirmed that 480 billion naira were spent on treatment and prevention of
malaria. (Premium Times 2013). An estimated 65% of Nigeria population lives in
poorverty which is a major factor in malaria prevention and treatment.
On a global scale, the World Bank provided $180 million for the malaria Booster
Program that supports Seven States and some National –Level activities, and an
additional $100 million for self same program in 2009.(WorldBank Report 2009). The
UK Department for International Development (DFID) initiated SunMap (support to
Nigeria Malaria program) a $100 million five year program to control malaria in 2008.
Program aimed at the provision of ITNs and treatment and prevention of Malaria.

2. The morbidity of malaria ranges from overwhelming acute infection which
frequently presents as seizures (cerebral malaria). Repeated malaria infections contribute
to the development of severe Anaemia which increases the risk of death. Low birth
weight, frequently the consequences of malaria infection in pregnant women is the major
risk factor for death in the first month of life. In addition repeated malaria infections
make young children more susceptible to other common childhood illness such diarrhea
and respiratory infrections. Children who survive malaria may suffer long term
consequences of the infection, repeated episodes of fever and illness reduced appetite and
restrictedplay. Malaria infections affecting the brain make children suffer from learning
impairment and disabilities due to brain damage, including epilepsy and spasticity. (
Steketee RW et al the burden of malaria in pregnancy in malaria endemic areas.
American journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene,2001).
With the above information provided, this project is aimed at unveiling the current
prevalence of malaria and environmental factors which permits the transmission of the
disease and behaviors. It is also aimed at enlightening the public in the use of ITNs as an
effective control of malaria, since it creates a primary barrier between the vector and the
host thereby making difficult for the vector to find its host or making it practically
impossible.