Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Malaria among Under-Five in Rumuigbo Town, Obio-Akpor L.G.A, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aims The three objectives that guided the study include; determining if parents socio-demographic and economic variables (Monthly income, mothers literacy level and occupation) affect the prevalence of malaria in Rumuigbo, to determine if the use of insecticide treated nets is a determinant factor in the sustenance of malaria among under-five in the area and to ascertain if environmental factors (living close to stagnant water, blocked drains and water retaining plants) are determinants in the prevalence of malaria among under-five in Rumuigbo town.

Study Design: A descriptive survey research design was used.

Place and Duration of Study:  Rumuigbo town, Obio-Akpor L.G.A, Rivers State,

Nigeria. The study was for a period of 3months (October to December 2015).

Methodology: A Structured, standardized and reliable (r = 0.8) questionnaire was administered to 480 care givers of under-fives systematically sampled from 3 hospitals in Rumuigbo town with a population of 4,796 patients.

Results: The result indicated that 202(42%) were males while 278 (58%) were females. The prevalence of malaria was 62% in Rumuigbo. In regards to the care givers literacy level, the highest 29% had primary education and P>0.05, thus educational level of care givers was not statistically significant in malaria occurrence among the under-five in this study.  Chi-square result revealed that mothers’ occupation (P < 0.05), average monthly income of parents (P < 0.05) and the non-use of ITNs (P< 0.05) were statistically significant and as such were associated with the sustenance or prevalence of malaria in the area. There is also association between some environmental factors and prevalence of malaria such as living close to blocked drainages (P < 0.05) and water retaining plants (P< 0.05) while living close to stagnant water (P>0.05) was not statistically significant to malaria prevalence in Rumuigbo town.

Conclusion: Mothers should be enlightened on the risk factors of malaria. There should also be enlightenment campaign on the use of ITNs to reduce the prevalence of malaria among under-five.