1.1 Introduction
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite significant advances in medical research and public health interventions, malaria remains endemic in many parts of the world, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden. In this region, the disease accounts for approximately 94% of all malaria cases and deaths. Children under the age of five are particularly susceptible to malaria due to their underdeveloped immune systems, which makes it difficult for them to combat the infection effectively. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, approximately 80% of all malaria deaths occurred in this age group. The consequences of malaria in children extend beyond the immediate health impacts, including long-term developmental and educational deficits due to repeated infections and associated anemia.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Malaria poses a greater threat to about 40% the population of the world, particularly pregnant women and children under the age of five. In year 2010, there was an estimation of almost 220 million cases of malaria and 660,000 deaths respectively. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region mainly affected with about 85% of these cases occurring in that region (Abora, et. al. 2013.) According to WHO (2013), malaria kills 1300 children in a day and one child every minute globally. Malaria is pandemic throughout the tropical regions in the world. It is considered to be one of the killer diseases in sub-Sahara Africa. It was estimated that 300 million cases of malaria was recorded on the globe annually (Dugbartey & Apedo, 1998.) The world needs 3 billion dollars to combat malaria every year (UNICEF, 2012).
The 2010 report from 106 malaria endemic countries indicates that the cost of funding for the control of this disease was 1.5 billion dollars in only 2009. This seriously threatens the 2015 global target, since the report further indicates that fund inflow remained at 1.8 billion dollars as against over 6 billion dollars required within the period mentioned (WHO, 2010). Malaria kills over a million people every year globally with 90 percent of the deaths coming from Africa. Children under five years also constitute 70 percent of this number. In sub-Saharan Africa, one in five children death is the result of malaria (Molavi, 2003.)
Malaria has caused a section of the population into poverty and this situation has reduced national output, hence slowing down national development. Despite the fact that several attempts have been made over the years to combat the disease in Ghana, statistics for 2010 indicated that an average of 8200 cases were reported daily, and a total of 3 million cases for a whole year. Out of this figure, over 3000 deaths were recorded. The most vulnerable population was children and pregnant women (Tettey, 2011). Malaria is the leading killer disease in Ghana. In 2008 Ministry of Health (MOH) budgeted 846,142,000 dollars for malaria. It is estimated that malaria accounts for 33% of death in children under five year old and 36% of all hospital admission sickness in the country (Ghanaweb, 2012).
Every year 3.5 million people are infected with malaria and approximately 20,000 people also die from malaria of which most of them are children under five years of age. Most of the children who are able to survive from malaria suffer from convulsion and brain disorders, which affect their growth and development. In 2008 The cost of malaria was 760 million dollars and that was 10% of the country's gross domestic product. Upon this entire devastating situation little attention has been given to research in this area of study (Tweneboa-Kodua, Otuo & Mahama 2012).
Socioeconomic factors also play a critical role in the prevalence of malaria among children. Limited access to healthcare services, inadequate supply and use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), poor sanitation, and lack of public health education contribute to higher transmission rates and poorer health outcomes in many endemic regions. Additionally, climatic conditions that favor mosquito breeding, such as high rainfall and warm temperatures, exacerbate the spread of malaria. Efforts to combat malaria have included the distribution of ITNs, indoor residual spraying (IRS), the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), and, more recently, the introduction of malaria vaccines. Despite these measures, challenges such as insecticide and drug resistance, logistical issues in delivering interventions, and varying levels of political and financial commitment hinder progress.
Malaria is made up of types depending on the plasmodium involves. It includes tertian malaria caused by plasmodium, vivax fever, caused by plasmodium falciparum. The life cycle of malaria parasite involves the cycle in the blood of man and cycle in mosquito (Obueh, 2003). Considering the magnitude of this problem, it therefore become very extremely important that this project work should be carried out to reduce the prevalence of malaria among children from 0 to 5 years old in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that malaria is a leading cause of death among children in endemic regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, malaria accounted for approximately 80% of all malaria-related deaths in children under five. This high mortality rate highlights the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, many children in malaria-endemic areas do not have adequate access to preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). The WHO reports that despite improvements, only about 46% of the population at risk in sub-Saharan Africa slept under an ITN in 2022. This limited coverage contributes to the high incidence of malaria among children.
Furthermore, in many malaria-endemic regions, healthcare infrastructure is insufficient to effectively diagnose and treat malaria. There is often a lack of trained healthcare professionals, diagnostic tools, and medications. This deficiency results in delayed treatment and higher rates of severe malaria and mortality among children. Also, socioeconomic conditions such as poverty, lack of education, and poor living conditions significantly contribute to the high prevalence of malaria among children. Additionally, environmental factors such as high rainfall, warm temperatures, and inadequate sanitation create favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and malaria transmission.
More so, malaria has become very common and is increasing in an uncontrolled way throughout Nigeria and world as whole, due to the bite of the female anopheles mosquito which carries the plasmodium in an attempt to eradicate this deadly disease, a massive response need to be mounted by the government to enlighten the public about the prevalence of malaria. Also provide remedy for treatment of malaria disease.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine prevalence of malaria among children from 0 to 5 years old in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the prevalence of malaria among children between 0 to 5 years in the area under study;
- To identify the various means the vector transmits the parasite plasmodium;
- To determine the symptoms and signs of malaria; and
- To examine the ways to eradicate the prevalence of malaria among children from 0 to 5 years in the area under study.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does lack of awareness contribute to the prevalence of malaria among children in the area under study?
- Does poverty encourage the spread of malaria among residents of Benin City?
- Can malaria lead to the death of children from 0 to 5 years old in the study area?
- Can poor sanitation among the residents lead to prevalence of malaria in the area under study?
- Does the use of insecticides treated net prevent the prevalence of malaria among children in the study area?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Increased coverage and usage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are associated with a lower prevalence of malaria among children under five in endemic regions
- H1: Increased coverage and usage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are associated with a higher prevalence of malaria among children under five in endemic regions
1.7 Significance of Study
This research work is very relevant in several ways to communities, personnel, individual, and government. The work will expose the prevalence of malaria and enlighten the community on t he effects of malaria among children in Benin City mostly in Oredo Local Government Area.
Additionally, this research will provide proper measures for preventing this deadly disease. This study will also enlighten people on the signs and symptoms of malaria and how the parasite plasmodium invades the host body through the transmission by the vector mosquito. The findings of this research will encourage the government of Edo State to swing into actions by creating various measures to prevent further outbreaks of malaria among the resident of the states.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the prevalence of malaria among children 0-5 years in Oredo Local Government Area. This study will cover areas and quarters in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, as sample study where resident's opinion will be sampled. However, there is delimitation of this study to just 3 area as a result of time constraint and means of transportation.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Children: It a plural of child. Children are human who is not yet an adult.
Fever: Fever is an abnormally high body temperature and also the state of nervous excitement.
Malaria: It is a disease causing recurrent fever it is also a serious disease carried by mosquito to which causes periods of fever.
