Paediatric Malaria: Associated Symptoms and Risk Factors among Children in Isheri, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is a significant health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Children are particularly vulnerable to malaria due to their underdeveloped immune systems. Although many countries have implemented interventions to control and eliminate malaria, the disease remains a major public health challenge in endemic areas. This study is a cross-sectional survey conducted to determine the prevalence of paediatric malaria and identify associated risk factors in children under 5 years old at the Isheri Primary Health Centre in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The survey was carried out from June to September 2023. Blood samples were collected from 219 children, 44.7% male and 55.3% female. Parasitological analysis was conducted according to WHO standards, and data on associated risk factors and malaria prevention practices were collected through a pretested structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses such as T-test and One-way ANOVA were employed, with significance set at p>0.05. The findings revealed an overall prevalence of paediatric malaria in the study location at 49.3% (n=108), with P. falciparum being the main parasite. Males had a 55.1% malaria infection rate, while females had a rate of 40.5%. All malaria-infected children tested positive for the asexual malaria parasite, with parasite density ranging from 2087 to 328000μL-1 and a mean value of 47267 — 80 (95% CI 35244-59292). Children < 5years of age (55324 μL-1, 95% CI 29378-81271) had slightly higher asexual parasite density than those > 5 years (44045μL-1, 95% CI 30440-576550). Haematological analysis showed that the infected children had a significantly higher count of neutrophils than the uninfected (p = 0.002). Furthermore, children who did not report experiencing fever and chills had a significantly higher parasite density than those who did (p<0.05). The use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) also had an impact, with children under 5 years of age not using ITNs having a higher parasite density (65390 μL-1, 95% CI 18219-112562) than those who did. The study also assessed environmental risk factors and found that stagnant water and poultry farms did not significantly impact the prevalence of paediatric malaria. The study concluded that improved access to malaria interventions is essential to interrupt transmission, particularly in the at-risk groups, to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda for health.