Determining malaria situation through linelist hospital attendance records in selected communities in Benue State, north-central Nigeria

Abstract

Knowledge of malaria situation provides useful insights on which effective malaria control strategies can be predicated. The objective of this study was to retrospectively determine the malaria situation in the selected communities through hospital attendance records. In the absence of useable retrospective data, a line list record of hospital attendance was collated and used to provide baseline information on some malariological parameters. Point of service collation resulted in 490 confirmed malaria cases, only 69(14.1%) captured the rural settings while 421(85.9%) represented the urban areas. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was used for 464(94.7%), microscopy 4(0.8%) and RDT/microscopy accounted for 22(4.5%).Of the four species of human malaria recorded, Plasmodium falciparum peaked with 470(95.9%). Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) was not extensive (3.13%) and Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) ownership did not equate usage. Dataset highlights gaps in malaria disease control, the need for universal coverage, and the age long challenge of irregular reporting. Failure to tackle these challenges is a guaranty for unsuccessful elimination and ensures a resurgence of this formidable disease.

Keywords: Malaria, morbidity; mortality; Plasmodium; Nigeria.