Malaria prevalence and its sociodemographic determinants in febrile children - a hospital-based study in a developing community in South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Malaria remains one of the major contributors of child mortality in many developing countries in Africa. Identifying its determinants will help in prevention and prompt intervention in these settings.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over an eight-month period. It enrolled 382 children who were presented with fever to the children outpatient and emergency unit of a tertiary hospital in South-east Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic factors. Blood film microscopy for malaria and parasite density was done on all subjects that tested positive for malaria.

RESULT

The malaria prevalence rate was 16.7%, 26.7%, 29.9% and 46.2% in children < 5 years, 5 to < 10 years, 10 to < 15 years and 15-17 years respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that malaria was more prevalent in older children but children under the age of 5 years were more prone to higher parasite density. Also, children of mothers with lower educational attainment, children from families of lower socio-economic class and resident in rural settings had higher likelihood of malaria infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustained improvement in strategies to prevent malaria infection is still imperative in children of all ages, especially those under 5 years, children from families of low socio-economic class and those residents in rural communities.