Older persons and malaria treatment in Nigeria (original) (raw)

Malaria Control Practices and Treatment Seeking Patterns among Adults in North Central Nigeria

Introduction Malaria is a major public health problem especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It is endemic in Nigeria and the country's malaria burden accounts for over a quarter of all the cases in Africa [1]. Malaria control is key to both the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partnership and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) [2, 3]. Nigeria failed to achieve the RBM target of reducing the number of malaria cases and deaths recorded in 2000 by 50% or more in 2010 [4]. This raises concerns as to whether the country will meet the malaria control Abstract Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria and the burden of disease is largely due to inadequate control and treatment efforts. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a socio-culturally heterogeneous adult population in North-central Nigeria to evaluate malaria control practices and treatment seeking patterns and further determine the socio-demographic determinants. Methodology: Two hundred (200) adult out-patie...

Determinants of Malaria Treatment Seeking Behaviour among Urban and Rural Households in North Central Nigeria

Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria accounting for a significant proportion of household expenditure in treatment and prophylaxis. Nigeria account for 25% of global clinical cases and mortality and also has the highest malaria burden in sub Saharan Africa. In most cases of malaria illness, treatment takes place at the community level and only few serious cases are taken to healthcare facilities. A number of cultural, socioeconomic, patient related and health service provider variables often in a complex interplay are known to influence treatment seeking behaviour, though the relative importance of variables differ widely between settings. Objectives: To identify where households receive malaria treatment services as well as prevalence of malaria related hospitalization. Also to identify the most common factor(s) that most influence malaria treatment behaviour. Methods: This is a cross section study using multistage sampling method for household survey. This study was carried out during the rainy months of June and July 2016. Six towns with high urban and rural population density in Benue State were purposely selected for survey. A total of

Determinants of health seeking behaviours for malaria treatment in Cameroon

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2022

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. This parasitic disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality with nearly 90% of malaria cases worldwide and 80% of associated deaths occurring in this region of the world where the disease still remains endemic. 1 The number of malaria cases worldwide was estimated at 229 million in 2019, with a 4% decline over the last two decades. 2 Cameroon is one ABSTRACT Background: Household health-seeking behaviour for malaria treatment is an important policy concern in malariaendemic African countries. This paper aims to shed light on the determinants of household's health-seeking behaviour for malaria treatment in Cameroon. Methods: The cross-sectional study used secondary data from the fourth Cameroonian household consumption survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics. A stratified, 2-stage sampling was implemented with a sample of 918 households which sought malaria treatment from different alternatives providers. The multinomial probit model was used to estimate the probability based on socio-demographic and economics determinants for a household to choose between different types of providers of malaria treatment. Results: The findings of this study indicate that, the alternative providers for malaria treatment were: public health facilities (61.1%), private health facilities (8.5%), traditional healers (1.4%), pharmacies (4.6%), informal vendor (18%), other types of recourse (6.4%). The decision to choose the provider for malaria treatment depends on factors such as household head, region, level of education, religion, area of residence, socio-professional category, and gender. The level of education appears to be an important determinant of a household's seeking behaviour. Those with higher education are more likely to seek care at formal health facilities. Conclusions: Health policy-makers need to strive to improve the socio-demographic and economic conditions and sensitize households on the appropriate alternative ways to ensure the universal access to diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria in line with the global strategies recommended by WHO to achieve malaria elimination by 2030.

Rural-urban differences in health-seeking for the treatment of childhood malaria in south-east Nigeria

Health policy, 2010

Objectives: To identify the differences in health-seeking for childhood malaria treatment, between urban and rural communities in Nigeria, with a view to providing information to policy makers that will be used to improve malaria control. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in eliciting information. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 1200 caretakers of children under 5 years who had malaria 2 weeks prior to the survey period. Focus group discussions were held with mothers and in-depth interviews with health care providers. Results: Health-seeking for malaria, differed significantly between rural and urban mothers. While majority (64.7%) of urban caretakers patronized private/government health facilities, most (62%) of their rural counterparts resorted to self-treatment with drugs bought over-the-counter, from patent medicine vendors. Hospitals were geographically more accessibility to urban than rural dwellers. Rural mothers only go to hospital when the problem persists or becomes worse, which results in delay in seeking appropriate and timely care. Conclusion: Urban and rural mothers differed in their responses to childhood fevers. Training drug vendors and caretakers are important measures to improve malaria control. Health facilities with good quality services and readily available drugs should be provided.

Prevalence of malaria infection among persons seeking treatment from private drug retailers in North Central Nigeria

Malaria is a fatal insect-borne tropical disease that continues to pose public health challenges in Nigeria. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of malaria infection among persons seeking treatment from private sector drug outlets and Proprietary and Patent Medicine Vendors (PVMs). Rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy were carried out to examine the blood samples collected from the study subjects. A total of 1,300 subjects of varying ages that came to seek for malaria treatment were randomly selected for the study after their free consent had been obtained. Finger prick and venous methods were used to collect blood for the rapid diagnostic test and microscopy. The results of this study revealed that of the total of 700 blood samples analyzed for Males, 402 (57.43%) were positive for microscopy and 396 (56.57%) were positive for RDT. While for females, the result showed that of the 600 blood samples screened, 304 (50.67%) were positive for microscopy and 288 (48.0%) were positive for RDT. In respect to age, for microscopy, the age group 15 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of 155 (86.11%) followed by 25 to 34 years with 150 (51.72%), while the least prevalence of 122 (42.36%) occurred within the 55 to 64 age group. For RDT, the age group 15 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of 161 (84.74%) followed by 25 to 34 years with 153 (54.64%), while least prevalence of 108 (38.30%) occurred within the 55 to 64 age group. Statistical analysis indicated that there is a significant difference in infection rate among the age group at p<0.05. The findings of this study further portray the need for confirmatory tests of suspected malaria cases before treatment.

Health-Seeking Behaviour of Malaria Patients in Lagos, Nigeria

https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR\_Vol.8\_Issue.7\_July2018/IJHSR\_Abstract.034.html, 2018

Malaria is a major public health challenge and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria especially in its contribution to infant and maternal mortality. The World Health Organization has emphasized that the diagnosis and treatment for malaria should occur within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms to decrease the risk of severe complications and onward transmission. The outcome of malaria in patients largely depends on their health seeking behavior. The pattern of health seeking behavior however depends on sociocultural factors, attitudes and beliefs. This study assessed the health seeking behavior of malaria patients in Lagos, Nigeria with relation to health care Financing. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 465 participants in Agege Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, Nigeria. Patients were selected by stratified sampling from 16 wards in Agege LGA. Data were collected by the use of a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. It was estimated that 78.9% of participants experienced a delay in seeking treatment. This research reports that only 3.9% (18) of respondents had visited a traditional healer, while 84.1% (391) attempted self-treatment by either taking 'left-over' drugs at home or drugs purchased from a convenient shop to relieve malaria. This study confirmed the socioeconomic and demographic vulnerability of the populace, which contributed to difficulties in prompt seeking of medical services, the burden of cost, choices of healthcare providers, methods of funding healthcare and coping strategies.

Demand for malaria rapid diagnostic test, health care-seeking behaviour, and drug use among rural community members with fever or malaria-like illness in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: a cross-sectional household survey

BMC Health Services Research, 2021

Background A good understanding of the demand for malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT), malaria health care-seeking behavior, and drug use among community members is crucial to malaria control efforts. The aim of this study was to assess the demand (use and/or request) for MRDT, health care-seeking behavior, and drug use, as well as associated factors, among rural community members (both children and adults) with fever or malaria-like illness in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted between October 1st and November 7th, 2018, in 18 rural geographical clusters. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done using summary statistics. Associated factors (socio-demographic, knowledge and opinion level) were assessed using bivariate and multivariate binomial logistic regressions while the overall effects of these factors were assessed using the “postestimation test” command in Stata. Re...

Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and anaemia among elderly population in Osun state Southwestern, Nigeria

International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2018

Background: Malaria has remained a global burden for many centuries. It remains a major public health disease particularly in the tropic despite several interventional efforts targeted at its elimination. Malaria if not treated early enough could result in patients becoming anaemic. In Nigeria, elderly (60 years and above) represent a vulnerable group of individuals, they enjoy very little attention in terms of specific health related interventions and facilities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and proportion of asymptomatic malaria infections and anaemia among the geriatric population in Osun state, Southwestern Nigeria.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 elderly with average age of 69.14±7.27 years. Blood samples were collected for the preparation of Giemsa stained blood films for the detection and quantification of malaria parasites microscopically. Packed cell volume (PCV) was assessed using hematocrit.Results: Malaria parasites we...

PERCEPTION OF MALARIA AND TREATMENT SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN NIGERIA

Global Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 2015

Malaria is the most important parasitic disease in the tropics and remains of highest public health importance. About 90% of all malaria deaths in the world today occur in Africa. An estimated one million people in Africa die from malaria each year and most of these are children under five years old The factors determining the health behaviours may be seen in various contexts: physical, socioeconomic , cultural and political. Therefore, the utilization of a health care system, public or private, formal or non-formal, may depend on socio-demographic factors, social structures, level of education, cultural beliefs and practices, gender discrimination, status of women, economic and political systems, environmental conditions, and the disease pattern and health care system itself. Malaria remains a major Public Health problem in Nigeria and causes death and illness in children and adults, especially pregnant women. The objective of this review is to look at the following areas: malaria epidemiology; the burden of malaria on Nigerian rural dwellers; perception and treatment seeking behaviour of rural dwellers; and treatment sources of the rural dwellers.