Four of 10 Nigerian children have malaria – Report
Victoria Ojeme
ABUJA—A new survey on malaria prevalence among Nigerian children has revealed that four out of every 10 have malaria.
The survey conducted in 2010 by the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP, and released in Abuja, yesterday, said the current ratio of malaria infection translates into 42% of Nigerian children that are infected with malaria.
The survey also indicated that the prevalence increased with age and decreased with wealth.
Dr. Olusola Oresanya of NMCP said: “Tests for malaria parasites were conducted on children aged six to 59 months in 6,197 households across the six geo-political zones of the country.
“Results showed that children tended to have malaria as they grew in age, but were less susceptible if their families were of better socio-economic status or lived in urban areas.”
Prevalence in urban areas stood at 23%, against 48% in rural areas. For every two children in rural areas with the malaria-causing parasite falciparum, only one child in urban area had the parasite.
The South-West zone reported the highest prevalence of malaria in the survey, as it is also the zone with the least use of insecticide-treated nets. Only eight per cent of children in the zone used nets.
National Coordinator of NMCP, Chioma Amajoh said: “We don’t want to repeat that malaria is a scourge but that is a fact.”
More than 30% of the global malaria burden is in Africa, and Nigeria accounts for a quarter. The disease is thought to cause the death of every one in 10 women and nearly 300 children every year.
It is estimated to cost the country more than N1 billion in lost manpower, treatment and care needs.
The survey assessed knowledge of the disease, treatment and prevention among Nigerians and showed more action was required to meet eradication targets set for malaria.
Amajoh said: “The targets are feasible, doable and achievable. The greatest resource we need is commitment.”
The survey was funded by NMCP, Glo-bal Funds, World Bank, DFID and USAID.