Malaria is still a major contributor to high rate of the global infectious disease–related mortality and morbidity due to its marked effects and alteration on the haematological parameters of infected individuals. This study was conducted to determine the following: prevalence and intensity of malaria, the associated risk factors of in Awka metropolis from January to June 2021. A total of 1060 subjects were enrolled int the study. Prevalence of malaria parasites was determined using thick and thin films. A total 925 individuals were infected with malaria parasite giving a prevalence of 87.3%. Of the 925 individuals infected, 743(80.3%) had mild infection, 150 (16.2%) moderate infection. The study showed that more males (94.2%) were infected with the malaria parasite than females (80.6%). The highest prevalence of malaria (94.3%) occurred among those less than ten years old while the least prevalence (72.2%) was recorded among those more than sixty years old. The prevalence of malaria in relation to age was statistically significant (p<0.05). In relation to occupation, farmers recorded the highest prevalence of malaria (94.7%) while civil servants had the least prevalence (65.4%). Based on literacy level, the highest prevalence of malaria was recorded among those with primary education (96.8%) while those with tertiary education had the least prevalence (84.3%). On marital status, married ones had the highest prevalence of malaria (91.9%) while the singles had the least prevalence (80.1%). The high prevalence of malaria in Awka calls for intensive education and free supply of insecticide treated nets.

The study examined the moderating effect of corporate governance mechanism on the relationship between firm attributes and corporate performance in emerging economy. Firm attributes was proxy using firm assets tangibility (FAT) and firm foreign listing (FFL); corporate performance was measured using Tobin's Q while the moderating variable of corporate governance mechanism was proxy using board size. The ex post facto design was adopted and the data for the study was collected from the annual reports and accounts of the 66 manufacturing companies listed under consumer goods sector, industrial goods sector oil & gas sector, ICT sector, healthcare sector and conglomerate sector of the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX) as of December 31, 2022 for the period of 2016-2022. Panel Least squares model was used in the data analysis and the results of the study show a significant and positive association between firm assets tangibility, firm foreign listing and performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria at 1% significant level. Corporate governance mechanism was also found to moderate the relationship between the firm assets tangibility, firm foreign listing and corporate performance at 1%-5% level of significance. The study therefore concludes that firm attributes ensure corporate performance. The study recommends that firms should find a way to ensure an optimal use of their tangible assets and also have a foreign stock listing as it ensures corporate performance. In addition, firms should ensure that they have effective corporate governance mechanism in place as it moderates the relationship between firm attributes and corporate performance.

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