Point prevalence mapping of malaria infection in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Variations in the risk of malaria across locations exist but are poorly understood though identifying hotspots of malaria transmission will create opportunities for targeted interventions. Point prevalence of malaria in Rivers State was studied using Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) as survey points.
 Methods: The PHCs in Rivers State were geo-referenced using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) and 74 were selected across 21 local government areas using systematic grid point sampling. Blood samples were obtained from 2340 persons who consented and questionnaires were administered to obtain their demographic data. Malaria parasites in blood films were detected using the Giemsa staining technique. Data generated were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and presented using descriptive statistics. The level of relationship amongst the parameters was obtained using Chi-square. Co-ordinates of PHCs sampled and their prevalence data for malaria were entered into Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheet and transmitted to ArcGIS 10.8. This platform was then used to produce point prevalence infection maps of the State using geographic information systems (GIS). Survey points with malaria point prevalence values of 75% and above and cumulative prevalence of 1.97% and above were categorised as malaria transmission hot spots in the various LGAs.
 Results: The study recorded an overall prevalence of 56.3%, with P.falciparum as the only identified malaria parasite. Data revealed that Oyoro Model Primary Health Centre (MPHC), Arukwo Primary Health Centre, Ele Health Post (HP) and Emago HP recorded very high prevalence of 96.7%, 96%, 95.2% and 94.4% respectively, whereas MPHC Iriebe had the least prevalence. Twelve hotspots with point prevalence above 75% were identified and eight hotspots likewise with cumulative prevalence above 1.97%.
 Conclusion: Malaria infection remains endemic in Rivers State. This study provides malaria point prevalence maps of Rivers State which will serve as a reference to policymakers for strategic interventions in the State

Spatial Distribution of Malaria and Land Cover Patterns in Ogoni Land, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…P. falciparum was the only species of malaria parasite recorded in this study. This finding agrees with the reports from Abah et al (2017), Wogu and Onosakponome (2021), Egbom et al (2021) and Egbom et al (2022) who observed only P. falciparum. In contrast, Nzeako et al (2013) reported the presence of Plasmodium vivax along with P.falciparum.…”

“…An overall malaria prevalence of 51.3% was reported in the study area. This finding agrees with the numbers reported in Rivers State by Egbom and Nzeako (2017), Egbom et al (2021) and Egbom et al (2022), which were 52.5%, 57.4% and 56.3%, respectively. Additionally, the number was higher than that of previous reports in other parts of the State.…”

Exploring the Interplay of Meteorological Variables, Government Policies, and Malaria Epidemiology: Towards an Optimal Predictive Model for Malaria Spread in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Rivers State, in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, is one of the states having a high incidence of malaria cases. Malaria remains endemic in Rivers State [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11] with spatiotemporal variations reported [12]. It is a major source of illness and death in Rivers State, despite the availability of efficacious interventions.…”

Modeling the Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Malaria Epidemiology: Identification of an Optimal Model for Application

“…Rivers State, in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, is one of the states having a high incidence of malaria cases. Malaria remains endemic in Rivers State [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11] with spatiotemporal variations reported [12]. It is a major source of illness and death in Rivers State, despite the availability of efficacious interventions.…”