HEALTH AWARENESS ON MALARIA IN

COMMEMORATION WITH THE WORLD

MALARIA DAY ON APR 25TH
BY GLIM HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
MALARIA
• Malaria is a life threatening disease caused
by the parasite Plasmodium. This disease is
transmitted via the bite of an infected female
anopheles mosquito.
• These female Anopheline mosquitoes feed
on blood meal to provide nourishment for
their eggs and in the process transmit the
parasite that causes malaria.
• Nigeria bears the burden of the highest
number of malaria cases and deaths than in
any other country in the world.
• Malaria is reportedly responsible for 60% of
outpatient visits to health facilities; 30%
childhood deaths; 25% of death of children
under one year and 11% of maternal deaths
MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF MALARIA?
• Malaria is primarily transmitted through
the bite of infected female Anopheles
mosquitoes
• Blood transfusion
• Organ transplantation
• Congenital transmission (In Utero)
 RISK FACTORS OF MALARIA
People living in malaria endemic areas ie areas where
malaria is common.
Travel to Endemic Area
Mosquito Exposure
Children Under 5
Pregnant women (Mosquitoes are more attracted to
them because they exhale more carbon dioxide)
Immunocompromised Individuals (such as
HIV/AIDS)
Poverty
Ignorance/Negligence
Poor Accessibility to Health Care

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 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA
• Fever: Often cyclical, with chills and sweating.
• Headache: Often severe.
• Muscle and joint pain: Aches and discomfort.
• Fatigue: Feeling weak and exhausted.
• Nausea and vomiting: Sometimes accompanied by diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain: Especially in cases of severe malaria.
• Enlarged spleen:
• Anemia: Paleness and weakness due to decreased red blood
cells.
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, in severe cases.
NOTE
• Malaria and Typhoid fever share similar symptoms but they
rarely co-exist. Individuals in the habit of always treating malaria
and typhoid fever without proper diagnosis fuel Antibiotic
Resistance!
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COMPLICATIONS OF MALARIA
• Severe Anemia
• Cerebral malaria which can lead to
coma, seizures and brain damage
• Neonatal Jaundice
• Organ Failure of the kidneys, liver,
and lungs.
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature
delivery, and low birth weight in
newborns.
• Financial Burden
• Children out of school and loss of
productivity
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 DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA
• Blood Smear Microscopy
• Rapid Diagnostic Test
(RDTs)
• Polymerase Chain
Reaction
• Antigen Test
• Serology Test 8
TREATMENT

• Artemisinin-based combination therapies

(ACTs)
• Malaria Vaccine ie RTS'S and R21 vaccine
now in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi
• Supportive Care (Administration of IV fluid
to prevent dehydration, Blood Transfusion
in Severe Anemia)
• Hospitalization for Close Monitoring
• Intensive Care for Severe Malaria
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PREVENTION/CONTROL
• Sleeping Under Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets
(ITNs) most especially for pregnant women
and children under 5
• Use of Insecticides Sprays and Insect
Repellent
• Clearing of Stagnant water, bushes that
serves as mosquito breeding ground
• Prompt diagnosis of malaria cases
• Community Engagement and Education
• Research and Innovation
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CONCLUSION
• Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria,
with the country bearing a high burden of the disease. Moving
forward, sustained commitment, increased investment, and
innovative approaches are needed to accelerate progress towards
malaria elimination in Nigeria. This includes strengthening
healthcare systems, scaling up proven interventions, addressing
socio-economic determinants of health, and leveraging new tools
and technologies to combat malaria effectively

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THANKS FOR
LISTENING!
Any Questions?

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