Prevalence and Age-Specific Parasite Density of Plasmodium falciparum Infection among Children under Five Years in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
S. K. Bello *
Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
A. Nyamve
Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
I. H. Nkene
Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
S. C. Hassan
Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
S. C. Tama
Centre for Vaccine Research and Biotechnology, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria.
A. T. Zakou
Department of Laboratory Sciences, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study assessed malaria prevalence, parasite species and age-specific parasite density among children under five in three Akwanga communities, Nasarawa State.
Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from May to September 2025.
Methodology: The study enrolled 455 children aged 0–59 months from Gbuje, Ngawon and Angwan Rijiya. Caregivers completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire, and blood samples were examined by microscopy for Plasmodium parasites using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. Parasite density was categorised as <100, 100 to 999 and ≥1000 parasites/µL. Associations were tested using the chi-square test, with Fisher’s exact test where cell counts were small.
Results: Of 455 children, 125 were parasitaemic (27.5%; 95% CI 23.6–31.7). All infections were Plasmodium falciparum. Prevalence was similar across age groups (26.7%–28.7%; p = 0.998). Among infected children, 68.8% had <100/µL and 9.6% had ≥1000/µL. High-density infection was more frequent in the 49- to 59-month age group (25.0%, 5/20) than in younger children (6.7%, 7/105; Fisher’s exact p = 0.024), with an ordered-age trend (p = 0.046), although the overall density-category comparison across all five age groups was not significant (p = 0.36).
Conclusion: More than one-quarter of surveyed children were parasitaemic with P. falciparum. Infection prevalence was similar across ages, whereas high-density infection was more frequent in the oldest subgroup (20 parasitaemic children). This observation warrants cautious interpretation and confirmation in larger samples.
Keywords: malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, parasite density, children under five, Nasarawa State, Nigeria