Malaria Risk Factors, Prevention and Treatment Practices among Residents of Selected Communities in Gombe State, Nigeria

@article{1723571,
      author = {Ishaku, M., Pukuma, S. M., Chessed G.; Ali R., Sarki, A.; Hamza, A. A., Bafeto, A.S.; Ahmanullah, A. A.; Abdurrauf, T. U.},
      title = {Malaria Risk Factors, Prevention and Treatment Practices among Residents of Selected Communities in Gombe State, Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {3},
      pages = {3823-3831},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723571.pdf},
      abstract = {Malaria remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, where socio-demographic factors, domestic housing conditions, vector control practices, and treatment-seeking behaviors heavily influence regional transmission and case management outcomes. This study evaluated malaria risk factors, vector prevention strategies, health-seeking behaviors, and treatment compliance across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) (Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye) in Gombe State, Nigeria. A structured cross-sectional survey was administered to 967 respondents across Gombe (n = 325), Kwami (n = 338), and Funakaye (n = 304). Data on socio-demographic characteristics, household crowding indicators, insecticide-treated net (ITN) utilization, secondary vector control measures, self-medication, and antimalarial prescription compliance were collected and analyzed using Chi-square (χ²) tests of independence (p < 0.05). Socio-demographic analysis revealed significant cross-LGA variation in age group (χ² = 48.404, p = 0.001), gender distribution (χ² = 10.644, p = 0.005), marital status (χ² = 9.686, p = 0.047), educational level (χ² = 11.272, p = 0.024), and occupation (χ² = 48.112, p = 0.001). Among household risk factors, the number of persons sharing a bed varied significantly (χ² = 15.023, p = 0.001), with 57.4% overall sharing a bed with two people. Although ITN ownership was high overall (72.3%, n = 699/967), the number of ITNs owned per household differed significantly across LGAs (χ² = 73.481, p = 0.001), and only 58.2% of owners reported consistent ("always") net usage. Secondary control practices predominantly mosquito coils (45.0%) and insecticide sprays (34.1%) showed significant regional differences (χ² = 79.609, p = 0.001). Self-medication was reported by 82.9% of respondents (n = 802/967), driven primarily by previous experience (35.0%) and emergency needs (34.9%) (χ² = 86.593, p = 0.001). Artemether-Lumefantrine was the most self-medicated antimalarial (71.6%). Among prescribed antimalarial treatments, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) accounted for 69.5%, with Artemether-Lumefantrine being the most prescribed ACT (73.5%, p = 0.001). Overall, 26.6% of respondents failed to complete their prescribed dosage, primarily due to stopping once symptoms improve. Despite high ITN ownership and preferential use of ACTs, malaria management in Gombe State is constrained by inconsistent bed net utilization, reliance on secondary physical barrier alternatives, high self-medication rates, and premature treatment discontinuation upon symptom relief. Targeted public health campaigns focusing on complete ACT dosage adherence and regular ITN usage are urgently needed across Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye LGAs.},
      keywords = {Malaria, Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN), Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), Self-medication, Treatment Compliance, Gombe State, Nigeria},
      month = {September},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I3-1723571}
  }