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Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola

Received: 1 September 2016     Accepted: 12 September 2016     Published: 8 October 2016
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Abstract

Malaria is well known public health menace in Nigeria with huge economic and social cost especially in institutions or university community, where it accounts for more outpatients’ visits than any other cause, yet the incidence of malaria is on the rise. This study examined the individual control strategy for malaria infestation among members of American University of Nigeria Community. The study utilized a descriptive survey approach. An internet base self-structured questionnaire randomly sent to both staff and students was used to elicit relevant information for the study. A total of 260 individuals responded to the questionnaire. Data from the clinic medical data base (Care plus) was used to ascertain the incidence of Malaria from January 2014 to June, 2016. Using line graph, percentage distribution table, mean and standard deviation for data analysis, findings from the study indicated an overall rise in the incidence of malaria. The mean and SD value of 56.7 ± 35.2 showed that individuals varied in their choice of preventive/control method for malaria infection. Most respondents 47.3% and 40 % would prevent malaria attacks by using insecticide spray and screening of doors and windows respectively. 23.1% of the respondents drain stagnant water (breeding site for mosquitoes) or use prophylactic malaria drug (22.7%). Less than 15% would use either of various other methods such as treated mosquito nets, clearing of surrounding bushes and grass, repellent creams, wear protective clothing or use mosquito coil/bat (5.8%). Based on the perceived factors which influence individual choice of adopting variety of methods to prevent malaria attack, 45% of the respondent reported lack of awareness as a major factor influencing malaria controls strategy and Location/Environment (36.9%), inefficient/incorrect use of preventive measures (30.4%). 20% considered cost, safety level of repellent, nets, insecticides and chemical/drug resistance as a factor with educational level perceived as been the least influential (16.9%). The study identified a lax in attitude and inefficient utilization of available resources. Therefore, it is imperative for every individual to be more proactive and conscientious in their approach towards the prevention and control of malaria infection. Heightened malaria awareness program as a way of public enlightenment synergized by enabling policies and strategic planning at specific periods of the year will go a long way in mitigating the incidence of malaria and the ripple effect it has on the nation.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 4, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14
Page(s) 440-444
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Malaria, Incidence, Control, Preventive Measure, Factors, University

References
[1] United State Diplomatic Mission, “Nigeria Malaria Fact Sheet 2011”. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016 from http://www.nigeria.usembassy.gov.
[2] S. H. Nyarko and A. Cobblah “Sociodemographic determinants of malaria among under five Chidren in Ghana,” Malaria Research and treatment. 2014. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016, from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mrt.
[3] World Health Organization (2016) “Malaria Fact Sheet”. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016 from http://www. Who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/.
[4] World Health Organisation (2010) “Malaria”. Retrieved on July 8, 2016 from http://www.en.wikipedia.org.
[5] Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine “Malaria”, 2016.
[6] E. Oluwana and O. Ogunsusi “Impact of Malaria on productivity and coping strategies among small scale garri processors in Odeda Local Governmnet Area of Ogun State, Nigeria,” African Journal Online. Vol. 1 (2), 118-129. 2007. Retrieved on 6th July, 2016 from http://www.ajol.info/index.phla/view/41003.
[7] F.O. Adeyemo, O. Y. Makinde, L. O. Chukwuka and E. N. Oyana “Incidence of Malaria among the undergraduates of University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria,” Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine. Vol 9(1). 2013. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016, from http://www.ispub.com.
[8] N. E. Udonwa, A. N. Gyuse and A. J. Etokidem “Malaria: knowledge and prevention practice among school adolescents in a coastal community in Calabar, Nigeria,” African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine. Vol 2(1). 2010. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016, from http://www.phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm.
[9] O. Okwa, L. Sanyaolu and A. F. Olatokunbo “Malaria and working performance of academic staff in Nigerian University,” Research Journal of Biology. Vol 2(5), 151-156, 2012. Retrieved on 3rd August, 2016 from http:// www.scientific-journals.co.uk.
[10] O. Omalade, B. Babatunde and S. Olundegun “Social aspect of Malaria among two tertiary institutions in Lagos State,” Sierra lone Journal of Biomedical Research. Vol (3) 2, 97-103. August, 2011. Retrieved on July 8, 2016 from http://www.ajol.info/journal.
[11] World Health Organisation “World Malaria Report”, 2011. Retrieved on July 8, 2016 from http://www.who.int/chp/topics.
[12] T. Ojuroungbe, I. Ishola and O. Ojurongbe “Perception and treatment practice of Malaria among tertiary institution students in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria,” Journal of Natural Science Research. Vol 4(5), 33-42, 2014.Retrieved on 3rd August, 2016 from http://www.iiste.org.
[13] American University of Nigeria “AUN clinic medical data base” 2016. Retrieved on 7th July, 2016, from http:// www.aun.edu.ng.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Nwambo Joshua Chidiebere, Eappen Philip, Joseph Sairah Figgi, Agbele Theresa Onobhase. (2016). Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola. Science Journal of Public Health, 4(6), 440-444. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14

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    ACS Style

    Nwambo Joshua Chidiebere; Eappen Philip; Joseph Sairah Figgi; Agbele Theresa Onobhase. Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola. Sci. J. Public Health 2016, 4(6), 440-444. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14

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    AMA Style

    Nwambo Joshua Chidiebere, Eappen Philip, Joseph Sairah Figgi, Agbele Theresa Onobhase. Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola. Sci J Public Health. 2016;4(6):440-444. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14,
      author = {Nwambo Joshua Chidiebere and Eappen Philip and Joseph Sairah Figgi and Agbele Theresa Onobhase},
      title = {Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {4},
      number = {6},
      pages = {440-444},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20160406.14},
      abstract = {Malaria is well known public health menace in Nigeria with huge economic and social cost especially in institutions or university community, where it accounts for more outpatients’ visits than any other cause, yet the incidence of malaria is on the rise. This study examined the individual control strategy for malaria infestation among members of American University of Nigeria Community. The study utilized a descriptive survey approach. An internet base self-structured questionnaire randomly sent to both staff and students was used to elicit relevant information for the study. A total of 260 individuals responded to the questionnaire. Data from the clinic medical data base (Care plus) was used to ascertain the incidence of Malaria from January 2014 to June, 2016. Using line graph, percentage distribution table, mean and standard deviation for data analysis, findings from the study indicated an overall rise in the incidence of malaria. The mean and SD value of 56.7 ± 35.2 showed that individuals varied in their choice of preventive/control method for malaria infection. Most respondents 47.3% and 40 % would prevent malaria attacks by using insecticide spray and screening of doors and windows respectively. 23.1% of the respondents drain stagnant water (breeding site for mosquitoes) or use prophylactic malaria drug (22.7%). Less than 15% would use either of various other methods such as treated mosquito nets, clearing of surrounding bushes and grass, repellent creams, wear protective clothing or use mosquito coil/bat (5.8%). Based on the perceived factors which influence individual choice of adopting variety of methods to prevent malaria attack, 45% of the respondent reported lack of awareness as a major factor influencing malaria controls strategy and Location/Environment (36.9%), inefficient/incorrect use of preventive measures (30.4%). 20% considered cost, safety level of repellent, nets, insecticides and chemical/drug resistance as a factor with educational level perceived as been the least influential (16.9%). The study identified a lax in attitude and inefficient utilization of available resources. Therefore, it is imperative for every individual to be more proactive and conscientious in their approach towards the prevention and control of malaria infection. Heightened malaria awareness program as a way of public enlightenment synergized by enabling policies and strategic planning at specific periods of the year will go a long way in mitigating the incidence of malaria and the ripple effect it has on the nation.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Malaria Control Strategy Among Members of American University of Nigeria Yola
    AU  - Nwambo Joshua Chidiebere
    AU  - Eappen Philip
    AU  - Joseph Sairah Figgi
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    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
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    EP  - 444
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20160406.14
    AB  - Malaria is well known public health menace in Nigeria with huge economic and social cost especially in institutions or university community, where it accounts for more outpatients’ visits than any other cause, yet the incidence of malaria is on the rise. This study examined the individual control strategy for malaria infestation among members of American University of Nigeria Community. The study utilized a descriptive survey approach. An internet base self-structured questionnaire randomly sent to both staff and students was used to elicit relevant information for the study. A total of 260 individuals responded to the questionnaire. Data from the clinic medical data base (Care plus) was used to ascertain the incidence of Malaria from January 2014 to June, 2016. Using line graph, percentage distribution table, mean and standard deviation for data analysis, findings from the study indicated an overall rise in the incidence of malaria. The mean and SD value of 56.7 ± 35.2 showed that individuals varied in their choice of preventive/control method for malaria infection. Most respondents 47.3% and 40 % would prevent malaria attacks by using insecticide spray and screening of doors and windows respectively. 23.1% of the respondents drain stagnant water (breeding site for mosquitoes) or use prophylactic malaria drug (22.7%). Less than 15% would use either of various other methods such as treated mosquito nets, clearing of surrounding bushes and grass, repellent creams, wear protective clothing or use mosquito coil/bat (5.8%). Based on the perceived factors which influence individual choice of adopting variety of methods to prevent malaria attack, 45% of the respondent reported lack of awareness as a major factor influencing malaria controls strategy and Location/Environment (36.9%), inefficient/incorrect use of preventive measures (30.4%). 20% considered cost, safety level of repellent, nets, insecticides and chemical/drug resistance as a factor with educational level perceived as been the least influential (16.9%). The study identified a lax in attitude and inefficient utilization of available resources. Therefore, it is imperative for every individual to be more proactive and conscientious in their approach towards the prevention and control of malaria infection. Heightened malaria awareness program as a way of public enlightenment synergized by enabling policies and strategic planning at specific periods of the year will go a long way in mitigating the incidence of malaria and the ripple effect it has on the nation.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • AUN Clinic, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria

  • AUN Clinic, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria

  • AUN Clinic, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria

  • Nursing Department, Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Nigeria

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