PREVALENCE OF MALARIA AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING HASIYA BAYERO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL, KANO

Abstract Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among children in Nigeria, particularly in malaria-endemic regions such as Kano State. This study assessed the prevalence of malaria among children attending Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, Kano. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of malaria infection, examine its distribution according to age and gender, and identify factors associated with malaria among the study population. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted, and data were collected from children attending the hospital through laboratory test results and structured questionnaires or hospital records. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and tables. The findings revealed that malaria remains highly prevalent among children attending the hospital, with the highest burden observed among younger children, particularly those under five years of age. Factors such as poor use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, environmental conditions favorable for mosquito breeding, and delayed healthcare-seeking behavior were found to contribute to the high prevalence of malaria. The study concludes that malaria continues to pose a significant public health challenge among children in Kano. It recommends intensified malaria prevention campaigns, increased distribution and proper use of insecticide-treated nets, environmental sanitation, and early diagnosis and prompt treatment to reduce the burden of malaria among children.