Public health issues

Assessing the current state of malaria control programmes in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria control programmes are part of global schemes targeted at reducing high rate of mortality caused by parasitic diseases which have become endemic over the past few decades, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. Yet, the current state of malaria control programmes in Idemili South L.G.A remains unknown despite its vulnerability to malaria as a rainforest zone. This study assessed the current state of malaria control programmes in Idemili South L.G.A, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study employed the mixed method survey research design. The population of the study consisted of adults aged 18 years and above, from where 400 respondents were selected through the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected through questionnaire administration and In-Depth Interviewee. Quantitative data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the study hypothesis was tested using Mann Whitney U test. In addition, the qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Result of the study revealed that the current state of malaria control programmes in Idemili South L.G.A was relatively impressive. However, there were some inconsistencies in the implementation of the programmes in the area. The study therefore recommended that the Ministry of Health should design separate malaria control programmes which should target on specific remote communities within Idemili South L.G.A; so as to reach out to those remote areas where the programme implementers find difficult to cover.