BEYOND MOSQUITO BITES: ANALYZING MALARIA RISK FACTORS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Authors

  • Said Baadel Mount Royal University image/svg+xml Author
  • Christie Akwaowo University of Uyo image/svg+xml Author
  • Jeremiah C. Obi Novena Computers and Technologies Author
  • Shalom Benson Novena Computers and Technologies Author
  • Malaadh Baadel Mount Royal University image/svg+xml Author
  • Daniel Asuquo University of Uyo image/svg+xml Author
  • Nnette Ekpenyong University of Calabar image/svg+xml Author
  • Kingsley Attai Ritman University Author
  • Humphrey Sabi ICT University image/svg+xml Author
  • Faith-Michael Uzoka Mount Royal University image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58395/dry4jy62

Keywords:

febrile disease, low-and-middle-income countries, malaria, tropical diseases

Abstract

This study investigates how various risk factors affect the prevalence of febrile diseases, with a focus on malaria in the southern states of Nigeria. The study employed Pearson correlation and multilinear regression analyses to examine the relationships between risk factors and disease prevalence. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that genetic conditions, high blood pressure, and direct contact with infected individuals were negatively correlated with malaria, while poor personal hygiene, substandard living conditions, and exposure to endemic areas had weak positive correlations. The strongest association was found with mosquito bites, which also had the highest unstandardized beta coefficient among the factors studied. Nevertheless, the study also highlights secondary risk factors, such as poor living conditions and hygiene, which are often overlooked in malaria intervention programs. These factors, although not as strong as mosquito exposure, can exacerbate the risk of infection, particularly in vulnerable populations living in impoverished areas. These results highlight the critical role of mosquito exposure in malaria and emphasize the need for targeted interventions in such areas. The findings can be beneficial to clinicians, general public, and all stakeholders involved in the fight against malaria.

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Published

2025-05-02

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Articles

How to Cite

(1)
Baadel, S.; Akwaowo, C.; Obi, J. C. .; Benson, S.; Baadel, M.; Asuquo, D.; Ekpenyong, N. .; Attai, K. .; Sabi, H.; Uzoka, F.-M. BEYOND MOSQUITO BITES: ANALYZING MALARIA RISK FACTORS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA. Probl Infect Parasit Dis 2025, 53 (1), 28-33. https://doi.org/10.58395/dry4jy62.