Geospatial Mapping of Malaria in the Lowland Forest Ecological Zone of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzed the spatial and temporal patterns of malaria occurrence in Ondo state, Nigeria, and to identify the major factors influencing the disease transmission and control.
 Methodology: The research collects primary data from questionnaires administered to hospital staff and workers in areas with high malaria cases while secondary data were sourced from the State’s ministry of health malaria cases gazette. The data was sorted, processed, and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS 10.2 software to produce maps and graphs showing the malaria occurrence and trends in the study area.
 Findings: The study analyzed the malaria occurrence and trends in Ondo State, Nigeria, from 2011 to 2018, using questionnaires and secondary data. The result revealed that mosquito, blood group, poverty, and communicability were significant factors for malaria incidence (p < 0.001), while seasonality, time of day, and immunity status were non-significant (p > 0.05). Result shows that malaria could be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth (p=0.008), but mortality was non-significant in the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) studied (p = 0.166). In addition, malaria cases and attack rate declined significantly from 2015 to 2018, due to the improved health facilities and preventive measures implemented by the State government and health authorities 
 Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: The study contributes to the existing knowledge and literature on malaria epidemiology and control in Nigeria, by providing a comprehensive and updated spatial and temporal analysis of the disease occurrence and factors in Ondo state. The study also provides useful recommendations for the state ministry of health and government to conduct further studies and develop strategies to interrupt malaria transmission in low susceptible settings, and to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in the state in line with global setting.