Challenges of Managing Childhood Malaria in a Developing Country: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria still remains one of the highest childhood killer diseases, especially in the developing countries of "frica, Southeast "sia, and Eastern Mediterranean regions. With an estimated million cases and , deaths from malaria annually, Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of malaria in the world, with children mostly afected. It accounts for % of outpatient visits, % hospitalization among children under years of age. Great eforts and huge funding have been commited globally towards the ight for malaria, but malaria continues to be a major challenge in these developing countries, especially countries in Sub-Saharan "frica. The World Health Organisation adopted a cost-efective intervention strategy, which comprises a three-pronged approach: vector control, chemoprophylaxis, and case management. Case management involves early diagnosis and treatment. This chapter looks at the challenges militating against the achievement of this important aspect of malaria control in children as well as eforts that have been made or not made to overcome these challenges using Nigeria as a case study.

The Burden and Socio-demographic Differentials of Malaria Infection among Asymptomatic School Children in Gombe State, Nigeria

“…About 85% of the rainfall pattern observed in Gombe state approximately spans through April to October, but are heaviest in July, August and September [11]. These geographic variables that characterize different parts of Gombe are also known to affect the pattern of distribution of malaria infection in such settings [2,4,5,6].…”

“…The interplay between vector, parasite, human host and environmental factors are key in determining the intensity of malaria transmission. Incidentally, Nigeria possess the blend of all requisite factors (rainfall, temperature, and humidity) for the breeding and survival of female anopheles mosquitoes [4].…”

Malaria: Prevalence and related factors in children at Aba, Southeast Nigeria

“…Each year, more than 650 million people ate affected by malaria, with mortality rates between 1 and 3 million, most of whom are young children in Sub-Saharan Africa [1,2]. Nigeria has the highest prevalence rates of malaria both in Africa and in fact tops the global malarial prevalence charts [3]. Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with children aged below 5 years constituting up to 70% of the mortality globally [3].…”

“…Nigeria has the highest prevalence rates of malaria both in Africa and in fact tops the global malarial prevalence charts [3]. Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with children aged below 5 years constituting up to 70% of the mortality globally [3]. About 50% of the population of Nigeria suffer from at least one episode of malaria each year with over 45% presenting to the outpatient clinics.…”

“…About 50% of the population of Nigeria suffer from at least one episode of malaria each year with over 45% presenting to the outpatient clinics. Among the, about 30% of admissions are of children aged under-5 years [3,4].…”