Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among children and pregnant women. The country accounts for a high burden of malaria cases and related deaths globally, with children under five years and pregnant women being the most vulnerable groups. This research aims to explore the menace of malaria among children and pregnant women in Nigeria by examining the prevalence, risk factors, challenges in diagnosis and treatment, as well as the impact on maternal and child health outcomes. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis from national health surveys and qualitative data from interviews with healthcare providers and community members. Quantitative analysis of health survey data will provide insights into the prevalence of malaria among children and pregnant women, regional disparities, and trends over time. Qualitative interviews will offer perspectives on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating malaria in these vulnerable populations, as well as community perceptions and practices related to malaria prevention and treatment. Findings from this research are expected to highlight the persisting burden of malaria among children and pregnant women in Nigeria, shedding light on the need for targeted interventions and improved healthcare delivery strategies. The study aims to identify the key risk factors contributing to the high prevalence of malaria in these populations, including socio-economic factors, access to healthcare services, and environmental determinants. Understanding these factors is crucial for designing effective malaria control programs that address the specific needs of children and pregnant women. Moreover, the research will explore the impact of malaria on maternal and child health outcomes, including adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal mortality, and child morbidity and mortality. By examining the indirect effects of malaria on the health and well-being of mothers and children, this study seeks to emphasize the importance of integrated maternal and child health services that incorporate malaria prevention and treatment. In conclusion, this research contributes to the existing literature on malaria in Nigeria by focusing on the unique challenges faced by children and pregnant women. The findings will inform policy-makers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders on the urgent need to prioritize malaria control efforts in these vulnerable populations to improve maternal and child health outcomes and reduce the overall burden of malaria in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

The study investigated menace of malaria among children and pregnant women of Ukwa East Local Government Area. The study focuses on the concepts like definition of malaria, history of malaria, effect of malaria on pregnant women and children, symptoms of malaria, treatment and prevention of malaria fever. The descriptive survey cohort research method used. Two hundred and fifty (25) samples male up of both children and pregnant women were used for the study from three (3) communities that were selected using stratified sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire was used as a research instrument for data collection. A descriptive statistics frequency count, percentage was used to analyze personal data of the respondents and non-parametric statistics of chi-square (X2) set at 0.05 alpha level of significance was adopted to analyze the hypotheses tested for the study. The result shows that poor environmental sanitation, constant mosquito bite and poor awareness on incidence and poor prevention and control of malaria hinders both children and pregnant women’s health. The researcher recommends among others general cleaning of the surrounding through the use of sanitary inspectors to direct its towards the provision of adequate medical care to our localities and community health centers. The community should equally assist the government morally and financially without any delay in running the rural health centers in the town as to improving the quality of health care services in the area.