A Survey on Current Practices Regarding Malaria Prevention among Outdoor Patients in Benue State, Nigeria

Malaria has continue to be a scourge and life threatening disease and African regions, particularly Nigeria has continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. Prevention is always better than cure. This study was therefore, conducted in 2018 to determine the current malaria preventive strategies among outdoor patients from selected hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria. Blood samples were obtained from 510 volunteered participants. Thick films were stained with Giemsa and examined on the microscope using oil immersion. A total of 47.1% and 33.8% participants were found to be in the habit of using ITN and IRS respectively. Age, occupation and education were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the use of ITN. Heat, poverty and irritating odour were identified at 37.4%, 25.6% and 16.7% respectively as their constraints to the use of ITNs. There were significantly high malaria infections (88.9%) among participants who do not use IRS but infection rates were low (33.8%) among participants that use IRS. Other malaria preventive strategies adapted by participants were also discussed. The uses of malaria preventive strategies in Benue State were unsatisfactory. There is therefore, the need to step up malaria preventive advocacies and to supply ITNs to endemic communities free of charge.