Prevalence of Malaria among 1-15-Year Children and the Awareness and Acceptability of Malaria Vaccine in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria | Chapter 6 | Disease and Health Research - New Insights Vol. 1

 

Background: Malaria is still a serious threat to health, especially for children living in endemic areas. Effective control of malaria requires understanding the local epidemiology and community attitudes towards vaccination and other preventive measures.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infection in children between 1 and 15 years and to evaluate the knowledge and acceptability of the malaria vaccine.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Materials and Methods: Prevalence of malaria parasite in 250 children from 1-15 years attending Akulue Memorial Hospital, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria was detected using microscopy. Simultaneously, detailed questionnaires were sent to parents/guardians to assess their knowledge and perspectives regarding malaria vaccination.

Results: Of the 250 children examined, 92.4% tested positive for the Plasmodium parasite. The malaria prevalence was high (>85%) in the three age groups, (1-5), (6-10), and (11-15) years although they were not significantly different (p>0.05). It was not also significantly different between male and female children. This study showed that most parents/guardians were found in favor of introducing a malaria vaccine. The findings highlighted the significance of focused measures to strengthen malaria prevention tactics, such as intensive community education and advocacy efforts to raise vaccination rates.

Conclusion: The results showed that the target children had a high prevalence of malaria infection. Reducing the illness burden among children and attaining sustainable malaria control requires addressing misconceptions and promoting favorable attitudes towards malaria vaccination.

 

Author(s)Details

Elijah Sunday Okwuonu
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

Emmanuel Uzoma Anyaoha
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

Chinaza Blessing Ukwueze
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

Nenrot Sandra Gopep
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Department of Public Health/Mph, Georgia Southern University, USA.

 

Uchenna Athanasius Ubaka
Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

 

Emmanuella Chigozirim Agbedo
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Chiamaka Lovelyn Nwankwo
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

Patra Chisom Ezeamii
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.Department of Public Health/Mph, Georgia Southern University, USA.

 

Ogochukwu Ruth Abasilim

Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, USA.

 

Blessing Chinenye Amoke
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

Ikem Chris Okoye (Professor)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/dhrni/v1/1171