Prevalence and Age-Group Distribution of Malaria in Lokoja and Okene Local Government Areas, Kogi State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study Across Health Centers

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, with its prevalence varying across regions. This study assessed the prevalence of malaria in Lokoja and Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria, analyzing its distribution across health centres, age groups, and gender. Out of 322 samples collected, 68.95% tested positive for malaria. Notably, Lokoja Local Government Area (LGA) had a higher prevalence of 38.19%, compared to Okene LGA, which recorded 30.74%. Among individual health centres, Lokoja’s Poly Hospital and Body Affairs Medical Laboratory reported positivity rates of 18.94% and 19.25%, respectively, while Okene’s General Hospital Okengwe and Tao Hospital had rates of 16.46% and 14.29%, respectively. When examined by age-specific data, Lokoja showed higher prevalence among children aged 4-5 years (17.70%) and those 2-4 years old (13.98%). However, Okene reported the highest prevalence within the 2-4 years age group (17.10%). In terms of gender, the difference in prevalence rates was not significant, with males at 36.65% and females at 32.30%. This study highlights the regional disparities in the malaria burden present within Kogi State and emphasizes the urgent need for targeted intervention strategies, particularly aimed at young children under five. Additionally, further investigation is required to uncover the underlying factors contributing to these regional differences.