2.2 Socio-demographic factors influencing malaria infection among Nigerian populace
2.2.1 Human related factors
There
is a large amount of data on malaria related morbidity and mortality in
Adult. (Snow et al., 2005) suggested that, the risk of infection and
its severity is lower in the first few months of life. Reasons for this
are complex but probably include transmission of protective antibodies
across the placenta, the presence of red cells containing Hbf – which
are relatively resistant to malaria infection, breast feeding and lack
of exposure whereas as a child grows up resistance to malaria reduces
and in adult of age 18 and above (Hviid and Staalsoe, 2004). In lower
transmission settings clinical malaria is spread more widely across the
age groups. In such settings, occupational issues may become more
important than age; this is especially true where mosquitoes which
transmit malaria bite outdoors away from dwellings (Erhart et al.,
2004). Forest workers in south-east Asia are one example of this
phenomenon but in Nigeria with focus on Kwara State (Kwara State
University, Malete) mosquito bite both indoor and outdoor making even
more terrible to control (Erhart et al., 2004). In these settings young
adults, especially males, may be more at risk than children; because
they are the group at most risk from being bitten by forest dwelling
vectors, out-door vectors and in-door vectors (Desai et al., 2008).
Furthermore this information was supported by a study that was done at
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital that explored factors affecting
use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs), drug-resistant malaria and
factors contributing to the spread of malaria (Kolawole et al., 2014).
2.2.2 Gender
Evidence
of biological differences between men and women in acquiring malaria is
limited; however the evidence of sex differences is accumulating. The
literature on gender differences in malaria relates mainly to pregnancy,
occupational risks (e.g.: forest workers) and care-seeking behaviors,
health workers, students who are employed and students studying the
University (Desai et al., 2007). (Desai et al., 2007) Reported gender
differences with regard to increased risk of infection and impact of
malaria on individuals largely focus on women; however, there is some
evidence that suggests that in some countries men have increased
exposure because they spend more time sitting outside in the evenings
during peak mosquito biting times (Vlassoff and Bonilla 2004) and that
some male-dominated types of work lead to increased exposure. For
example, agricultural work extending to the evenings or sleeping away
from settlements may raise risk, especially in forests, which can make
men more vulnerable than women, agricultural students who work in farms
for example in Unilorin plantation have been exposed to various
infection (Erhart et al., 2004).
2.2.3 Knowledge on malaria
A
number of studies have investigated differences in knowledge and
reported health seeking behavior between men and women. Most found
either no difference or those women had more limited decision-making and
financial power to act (Al-Taiar et al., 2009). This was associated
with failures and delays in seeking treatment, with differential
understanding of malaria between men and women, and differential
health-seeking behaviour. Women delayed seeking care until men were
available, while men were less willing to spend on their health.
(Al-Taiar et al., 2009). Further more according to (Mboera et al.,
2004), it was stated that knowledge, attitude and behavior practices
regarding malaria were shown to influence the Insecticide Treated Net
(ITN) ownership by each person in the community.
