Malaria Prevalence, Distributions and Mosquito Abundance in Selected Locations of Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria
Naziru Zakari Ishaq, Liatu Garba Columbus, Abubakar Salim Aliyu Zailani, Abdulrazaq, Bashir Gidado Abubakar
Abstract
This study investigated malaria prevalence, mosquito species distribution, and abundance in three wards of Jalingo Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State, Nigeria Majidadi, Mayo-Gwoi, and Sarkin-Dawaki. A total of 370 individuals were randomly selected for malaria screening using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits. Mosquitoes were collected using pyrethrum spray collections (PSC) and identified morphologically with standard keys. Overall malaria prevalence was 31.9%, with females showing higher infection rates. Majidadi recorded the highest prevalence (64.4%), while Sarkin-Dawaki had the lowest (16.9%). Children aged 1β9 years and adults aged 30β39 years were the most affected. Seasonal variations indicated peak mosquito density in August. A total of 5,425 mosquitoes were collected, of which Anopheles gambiae was the predominant malaria vector, accounting for 75.0% of all mosquitoes sampled. The ShannonβWeiner Diversity Index revealed higher species diversity in Sarkin-Dawaki but greater abundance of female Anopheles in Majidadi. These findings highlight the combined influence of demographic, ecological, and seasonal factors on malaria transmission in Jalingo. Strengthened vector control, environmental management, and community-based interventions are recommended to reduce malaria burden.
Keywords
Malaria prevalence
Anopheles gambiae
mosquito abundance
Jalingo
Taraba State
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Nigeria.
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of
Parasitology
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2019,
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transmission in Nigeria. Malaria Journal, 20(1), 228β236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-
021-03771-8
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Malaria Journal, 22(1), 1β14.
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Tropical Medicine, 15(2), 45β59.
Amoah, S. K., Owusu-Ansah, K., & Adjei, S. (2019). Impact of rice cultivation on malaria
transmission in Ghana. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2019, 1β9.
Awolola, T. S., Adeogun, A. O., Olakiigbe, A. K., & Oduola, A. O. (2020). Impact of insecticide
resistance on malaria vector control in Nigeria. Parasites & Vectors, 13(1), 1β10.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04244-5
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in central Nigeria. Annals of Global Health, 88(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3821
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review. PLoS ONE, 15(7), e0236111. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236111
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communities.
African
Health
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20(3),
1345β1354.
https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v20i3.27
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Frey, J., et al. (2021). Seasonal variation in bed net use and malaria risk in Burkina Faso. Malaria
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Garba, L. C., Wama, E., & Ishaku, C. (2018). Seasonal variation in Anopheles density and malaria
transmission in Taraba State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 39(2), 201β210.
Gebre, T., et al. (2020). Effectiveness of community health education on malaria prevention in
Ethiopia. BMC Public Health, 20, 1β10.
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transmission dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. Nature Communications, 13(1), 1943.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29651-1
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Immunology, 14, 105676.
Imbahale, S. S., Githeko, A. K., & Mukabana, W. R. (2021). Environmental drivers of malaria
transmission
in
Africa.
Frontiers
in
Public
Health,
9,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.638215
Incardona, S., Serra-Casas, E., & Sawadogo, R. (2020). Gender, culture, and malaria prevention:
Evidence from Ghana and Burkina Faso. Global Health Action, 13(1), 182β192.
https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1821923
Loaiza, J. R., Bermingham, J., & Conn, J. E. (2021). Ecological variation and malaria transmission
risk in Africa. Parasites & Vectors, 14(1), 56β70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-
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Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 102(4), 755β763.
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Malaria Journal, 19(1), 312. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-03418-1
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Abuja: Nigerian Ministry of Health.
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8(1), 12β23.
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(2), 1β12.
Nabarro, D., & Mendis, K. (2020). Vector resistance and future control strategies. World Health
Organization Bulletin, 98(11), 789β795.
Nijhout, H. F. (2021). Behavioral models of health decision-making. Artificial Life, 27(2), 273β
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A multi-community study. International Journal of Tropical Disease & Health, 30(2), 1β
https://doi.org/10.9734/IJTDH/2018/42725
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review of national data. Malaria Journal, 19(1), 349. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-
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Onyishi, I. E., Ezire, O., & Uche, I. (2021). Epidemiology of malaria in Nigeria: Current status
and
challenges.
PLoS
ONE,
16(6),
e0253210.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253210
RBM (Roll Back Malaria) Partnership. (2020). World Malaria Report 2020. Geneva: WHO.
Reiter, P. (2020). Land use and malaria transmission. Infectious Disease Reviews, 18(1), 1β20.
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World Health Organization. (2022). World malaria report 2022. WHO.
Yaya, S., Uthman, O. A., & Ekholuenetale, M. (2018). Gender inequality and malaria burden in
sub-Saharan
Africa.
Infectious
Diseases
of
Poverty,
7(1),
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-018-0414-8
