PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALARIA INFECTION AMONG PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN OF BAKASI IDP CAMP IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

¹A.A.G Benisheikh, ²Falmata Kyari ³Fatima Lawan Bukar ⁴Hajara I. Mustapha⁵Fatimah Maina Muhammad ⁶Dahiru A.S ⁷Hafsat Ngabra⁸Amagai Daniel

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic infections caused by the protozoan parasite in Sub-Saharan Africa with high mobidty and mortality in children. The protozoan parasite are transmitted to its host through a female anopheles mosquito bite. The overall prevalence rate of malaria infection among pre-school children in Bakasi IDP camps revealed that, out of 100 pre-school children examined 52.0% were infected with malaria parasite. Besides, 56.9% were male and 45.2% were female. Likewise,prevalence rate of 44(44.0%) were recorded based on age group of subjects examined with highest prevalence rate of 32(64.0%) in ages group of 0-2 years, followed by 4 (27.0%) in 2-4 years and 4 (23.0%) in 4-6 years respectively. Whereas 26(26.0%) prevalence rate were recorded based on educational status of mothers. Out of which 3(30.0%) has secondary education, 7(28.0%) has obtained primary education, 16(24.6%) has none-formal education and 0(0.0%) has tertiary education respectively.3(9.6%) prevalence rate were recorded based on the socio-economic associated risk factors influencing malaria fever among those using insecticide treated nets (ITNs) while 63 (91.3%) were infected among those subjects that lack insecticide treated nets (ITNs) respectively.77 (89.5%) of those leaving closer to stagnant water were infected with malaria fever while 3 (21.5%) of those leaving not in the vicinity of stagnant water were infected with malaria fever. 69(88.3%) that staying in a room without windows/doors are infected with malaria fever while 5 (21.7%) of those leaving in a room with window/doors are infected with malaria fever. 39 (95.1%) were infected with malaria fever while 8 (13.6%) were infected with malaria fever among those leaving in a not over crowded room. It is pertinent to note that lack proper shelter, lower educational status of mothers and none use of insecticide treated nets and socio-economic risk factors are driving forces that predisposes children in the Bakasi IDP camps to malaria infection. Thus, designing of effective and efficient control and prevention measures are paramount for minimise infection rate in the study area.

Keywords: Malaria infection, Bakasi IDP camp, prevalence, Maiduguri, risk factor, pre-school, children