Evaluation of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Mass Distribution Campaign and Malaria Among Under-Five Children in Mayo Belwa L.G.A., Adamawa State, Nigeria

Atimi Atinga, Philemon Babylon, Tirah Galaya, Emmanuel C.Obiano

Int. J. Bio. Lab. Sci 2019 1&2:28-33 【Abstract】 【PDF】 

Abstract

Background: Nigeria carries the greatest malaria burden among countries in the world. As part of the National Malaria Control Strategic Plan, free long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) were distributed in all the 21 Local Governments Areas of Adamawa states of Nigeria through mass campaign in September 2017. This was due to the backdrop of recurrent cases of about 3.3% increase in malaria cases before LLINs the campaign. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between LLINs distribution campaign and under-five child malaria in Mayo Belwa LGA. Methods: Percentage of children malaria infection was ascertained from August 2016 to August 2017 and a cross-sectional study, 523 patients aged 0-5 years with fever or history of fever in the previous 72hours were enrolled. Relevant information was obtained and recorded using a questionnaire. Thick and thin films were prepared from a finger or heel prick for each of the patients and subjected to microscopy. Result: The prevalence of malaria was 37.7% while 49.3% was seen prior to the mass campaign. Nevertheless, sex, parents educational level, socio- economic class, temperature at presentation as well as ownership of insecticide treated nets had no significant effect on the prevalence of malaria (p>0.05). Conclusion: The observed protective effects on child malaria of these campaigns were encouraging and need to be corroborated by future effectiveness studies. Results also show that improving community-level maternal knowledge through appropriate channels might be helpful in preventing child malaria in Nigeria.

Key words: Children malaria, Insecticide-treated nets, Campaign, Evaluation