Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Malaria Infection among Under-Five Children in Nigeria

Malaria is a significant source of mortality and morbidity, particularly among children under the age of five. Meanwhile, the multi-causation theory in public health views disease and health development as underpinned by several variables, including social and demographic factors. Therefore, this study investigates the sociodemographic factors associated with malaria among under-five children in Nigeria.

This study used secondary cross-sectional data collected from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The sample for this study was 10,352 children. The response variable was malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) results, while the independent variables considered were children's age, residential area, zone, mosquito net ownership, gender, mother's level of education, and wealth status. Analysis was done using bivariate analysis and binomial logistic regression at a 0.05 significance level and 95% confidence interval.

Children's age was statistically significant with malaria (χ2 = 166.200, p = 0.000). Malaria had a statistically significant relationship with mother's level of education (χ2 = 762.530, p = 0.000). The relationship between malaria and wealth index was statistically significant (χ2 = 1020.442, p = 0.000). The result shows that children living in rural areas were more prone to have malaria infection than children living in urban areas (OR = 1.633, p = 0.000).

Children's age, wealth index, mother's level of education and place of residence are key predictors and factors associated with malaria infection among under-five children in Nigeria. Therefore, broad-based programmes and interventions should be increased to tackle malaria incidence and prevalence.