Significant new information on Nigeria’s continuous battle against malaria is provided by a recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023–24 study, which highlights both advancements and enduring difficulties.

Newsmen in Abuja were given access to the NDHS survey on Sunday.

It stated that the most recent statistics revealed important developments in prevention, treatment, and public awareness of malaria, which continues to be a major health problem in the nation, particularly impacting disadvantaged groups.

According to the poll, household ownership of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), a key strategy for preventing malaria, has significantly increased, particularly in rural areas where ownership rates are higher than in urban areas.

There has also been an increase in intermittent preventative therapy during pregnancy (IPTp), but regional and socioeconomic discrepancies still exist.

“In the meantime, a significant percentage of the population has been effectively exposed to malaria messages through the media, highlighting the effectiveness of awareness campaigns,” the poll stated.

According to the poll, there were still important problems in spite of these successes.

In many situations, diagnostic testing is not available, and access to healthcare is uneven, particularly for children who have fever.

It said that “economic and geographic factors, especially in underserved regions, contribute to unequal healthcare access.”

According to the poll, many Nigerians continued to use preventative measures inconsistently, even if a greater number of them were aware of how to avoid malaria.

According to the report, the possibility of drug-resistant malaria strains might potentially jeopardise the effectiveness of therapy, requiring continued investigation and adjustment.

Experts recommended bolstering primary healthcare systems, especially in rural regions, to increase access to diagnostic, treatment, and preventative services in order to maintain momentum and provide long-lasting outcomes.

Increased distribution of ITNs and IPTp in high-risk regions and improved community participation through education programs were suggested by Dr. Olayinka Umar-Farouk, Deputy Project Director of Risk Communication at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria.

“Improving surveillance to track malaria trends and quickly address emerging threats is crucial, as is addressing the emerging drug resistance issue,” Umar-Farouk stated.

According to the survey’s results, Nigeria has made impressive strides in the battle against malaria, but there are still obstacles to be addressed, she added.

She said that by putting these specific recommendations into practice, the nation could significantly improve the lives of millions of people nationwide and lessen the negative effects of malaria on public health.