Malaria Prevalence and Coping Strategies among Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria Malaria Prevalence and Coping Strategies among Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria – Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science
Original Research Article

Malaria Prevalence and Coping Strategies among Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria

Ehirim1, N. C.
Osuji,2* E. E.
Okwara,1 M. O.
Effiong,3 J. A. L.
Tim-Ashama,4 A.
Anyanwu,1U. G.
Article Number: DRJA8141753309
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJAFS.2018.3309
ISSN: 2354-4147

Vol.6 (7), pp. 147-151, July 2018

Copyright © 2018
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article


Abstract

This study examined malaria prevalence and coping strategies among farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents who sourced malaria treatment from health care service providers with the aid of a well structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as the malaria prevalence and incidence rate model. The socio-economic characteristics of the farmers reveal a mean age of 49 years, 8 persons per household, 8 years educational attainment, and mean household income of N52, 606. Result also shows that majority (43.0%) of the farming households have a low rate of malaria prevalence between 20.1% to 40.0%. The result shows that less than 8% persons per 1000 are likely to have a new case of malaria when the rate of prevalence is between 60.1-80.0%. The result also shows that 36.2% of the farmers coped by using anti-malaria drugs as against other control measures. The mean cost of coping with malaria incidence in the area is N2, 280 which is relatively low; hence majority of the farmers may not know the likely consequences or implications of malaria incidence on health and food production. Hence, increased awareness on malaria prevention and control strategies such as Roll Back Malaria (RBM) strategies should be invigorated in the rural and urban areas to prevent malaria incidence among farming households in the State.

Keywords: Malaria, prevalence, incidence, coping strategies, farming households
 Received: May 12, 2018  Accepted: July 3, 2018  Published: July 5, 2018



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