Relationship between Malaria Parasitaemia and Socio-demographic and Environmental Risk Factors among Under-five Children in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Plasmodium falciparum is one among other species responsible for malaria in Nigeria. This study determined the relationship between the malaria infection status of children under the age of 5 years in Maiduguri, Borno State and selected demographic and environmental factors to identify significant risk factors associated with malaria infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used and blood samples were collected from all the children that met the eligibility criteria for the study and subjected to microscopy for the detection of P. falciparum parasitaemia. Additionally, a closed-ended questionnaire was administered to ascertain the risk factors associated with the infection. Data was analysed using Statistical Products and Service Solution version 20.0. Chi-square and regression analyses were used to test for association between socio-demographic and environmental risk factors, and malaria parasitaemia. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of P. falciparum parasitaemia in under-five-year-old children was 156 (43.0%): 38.9% in males and 49.0% in females. The odds of malaria infection were high among all age groups of parents/guardians. Factors such as gender and hospitals were observed to be the predictors of malaria infection in children. Conclusion: Sociodemographic and environmental factors such as gender and hospitals respectively were the predictors of malaria infection in under 5 years children in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.