Malaria in an obligate nomadic Fulani camps in Adamawa State, north-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

In spite of the global effort at controlling malaria, very little information is available on malaria among the compulsive nomadic Fulani of north-eastern Nigeria though they constitute an important proportion of the population. Three hundred and
eighty (380) nomadic Fulani in the Benue trough were examined for malaria status using the WHO standard technique for microscopy, and for the use of bed-nets and anti malaria drugs. Eighty per cent of the participants were infected and only 10% used bed-nets while 26.8% used malaria drug in the previous week. Over 78% of those that slept under bed-nets and 56.9% of those that took chloroquine in the previous week were infected. Infections did not differ with age groups (c2 = 7.59, (p>0.05) or gender (c2 = 0.44, (p >0.05). The high prevalence of malaria among the nomads, their knowledge of chloroquine
and recognition as well as their concern for their health can be used for planning control programme. Further studies on their other health needs, culture and migratory patterns will provide additional information for integrated health programmes.

Keywords: malaria, nomads, north-eastern Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 28 (2) 2007: pp. 87-89