Examining the paradox: increased malaria risk in children under 5 in female-headed households in Nigeria.

Autor: Xing SY; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China., Zhang HT; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China., Wang LM; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China., Lu HZ; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China., Peng ZY; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China., Liu M; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China. iammiaoliu@126.com., Li CX; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China. lichunxiao@bmi.ac.cn., Deng SQ; Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China. dengshengqun@163.com.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Malaria journal [Malar J] 2024 May 31; Vol. 23 (1), pp. 171. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 31.
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04997-w
Abstrakt: Background: Nigeria is facing a severe malaria crisis, accounting for a significant proportion of global cases and deaths of malaria. This study aimed to investigate the differences between female-headed households (FHHs) and male-headed households (MHHs) and their impact on malaria risk among children under five (U5) in Nigeria.
Methods: Data from the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) were used for this cross-sectional study. A representative sample of 10,988 households was analysed, with key variables subjected to frequency calculations, descriptive statistics, and bivariate analyses using t-tests and chi-square analyses to compare the differences between FHHs and MHHs.
Results: Among all participants, 92.1% (N = 10,126) reported residing in male-headed households, while 7.8% (N = 862) reported living in female-headed households. MHHs were significantly more likely to own insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) than FHHs (64.7% vs. 53.6%, P < 0.001). U5 children in MHHs had a greater likelihood of sleeping under a bed net the night before the survey than U5 children in FHHs (35.3% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of fever in the previous two weeks among U5 children was similar in MHHs and FHHs (35.4% vs. 31.4%), and the testing rates for malaria among U5 children who experienced febrile episodes were higher in MHHs than FHHs (22.4% vs. 15.4%, P < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, FHHs exhibited a higher percentage of U5 children testing positive for malaria compared to MHHs (87.8% vs. 78.9%). On the other hand, FHHs had higher education levels, overall wealth index scores, and a larger presence in urban areas compared to MHHs (P < 0.001). Moreover, FHHs reported higher adherence to malaria prevention awareness (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: In Nigeria, FHHs enjoy relatively better socioeconomic conditions and stronger awareness of malaria prevention compared to their male-headed counterparts. Contrary to expectations, FHHs are at an increased risk of malaria in children under 5 years old. This phenomenon is associated with entrenched gender inequality and the challenges women face in accessing critical assets. As women in FHHs bear the responsibility of income generation while caring for their children, it is crucial to prioritize interventions that address malaria management in FHHs to reduce both malaria incidence and mortality rates.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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