Age-Dependent Prevalence of Malaria in Akeddei Community in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria is highly endemic in Nigeria, making malaria morbidity and mortality a leading public health challenge. The most at risk population of malaria attack is under-five years’ children. However, malaria is presumptively treated in older age groups. This study aimed to determine the age-dependent prevalence of malaria amongst three age groups in a rural community in south-south Nigeria. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey comprising febrile and afebrile participants (n = 300) were randomly selected and included for the study. The study participants were grouped into three groups: under-five years old children (n = 100), older children of aged 6-15 years (n = 100) and 16 years and above (n = 100). Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and Giemsa-stained microscopy were used for malaria diagnosis and parasite detection. Clinical and demographic parameters as well as malaria prevalence were analyzed. The level of statistical significance was considered at ρ = 0.05 Results: Malaria prevalence in the under-five age group was 73% by RDTs and 49% by microscopy. For the 6–15 years, the prevalence of malaria was 60% and 43% by RDTs and microscopy respectively while RDTs accounted for 38% and microscopy 17% for the 16 years and above group. Conclusion: Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) administration to older children and adults should be based on parasitological confirmation of suspected cases with at least malaria RDTs to reduce drug pressure.