Prevalence and Risk Factors of Malaria among Children Under-Five in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, continues to pose a significant health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Africa, including Nigeria.This study examined the prevalence and determinants of malaria among under-five children in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State.Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design, 888 under-five children and their caregivers were selected through multistage sampling.Parental consent and adherence to ethical protocols were ensured.Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23 and Microsoft Excel 2007, with statistical tests such as Chi-square and independent samples t-test applied at a significance level of P 0.05.The study revealed a high malaria prevalence rate of 44.1% among under-five children.Contributing factors included low health facility utilization (30%), a high average household child count (4), and inadequate access to LLITNs, averaging 2 per household.These findings emphasize the need for increased health education and broader distribution of LLITNs in the region to reduce malaria's impact.Future efforts should prioritize sustained awareness campaigns and enhanced accessibility to preventive tools to ensure lasting success in malaria control among vulnerable populations.