A BINARY LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE PREDISPOSING FACTORS OF MALARIA FEVER AMONG FARMERS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0912-4147Keywords:
Predisposing Factors, Malaria Fever, Farmers, Benue StateAbstract
Despite sustained control efforts, the burden of malaria fever persists due to socio-demographic, environmental, and behavioural factors. This study employed a binary logistic regression model to assess the predisposing factors of malaria fever among farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 750 respondents, predominantly farmers, selected from malaria-endemic communities in Ado, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Makurdi, and Ukum LGAs. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic characteristics, environmental conditions, and malaria prevention practices, with malaria status as the binary dependent variable. The analysis revealed a malaria prevalence of 77.1%, indicating a high disease burden. The full model was statistically significant (Omnibus test χ² = 33.749, p = 0.009) with strong explanatory power (Nagelkerke R² = 0.747) and acceptable goodness-of-fit (Hosmer and Lemeshow χ² = 8.142, p = 0.420). Key predictors increasing malaria risk included occupation (OR = 2.066), previous household malaria (OR = 2.199), poor housing (OR = 2.713), residence near stagnant water (OR = 2.968), and travel to endemic areas (OR = 2.921), all significant at p < 0.001. Conversely, higher education (OR = 0.438), use of treated nets/insecticides (OR = 0.760), timely treatment (OR = 0.585), malaria prevention training (OR = 0.720), community programmes (OR = 0.737), and access to healthcare (OR = 0.863) significantly reduced infection odds. The study recommends that policymakers and public health stakeholders implement community-specific interventions prioritizing vulnerable groups, expanding healthcare access, promoting behavioural change, and addressing structural inequalities to reduce malaria burden in Benue State, Nigeria.
References
Agyekum, T. P., Arko-Mensah, J., Botwe, P. K., Hogarh, J. N., Issah, I., Dwomoh, D., Billah, M. K., Dadzie, S. K., Robins, T. G., and Fobil, J. N. (2022). Effects of Elevated Temperatures on the Growth and Development of Adult Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes. Journal of Medical Entomology, 59(4), 1413–1420. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac046
Asenso-Okyere, K., Asante, F. A., Tarekegn, J., and Andam, K. S. (2011). A review of the economic impact of malaria in agricultural development. Agricultural Economics, 42(3), 293–304. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2010.00515.x
Beeson, J. G., Fowkes, F. J. I., Reiling, L., and Drew, D. R. (2019). The impact of prior exposure on immunity to malaria in African populations. Nature Reviews Immunology, 19(8), 473-487.
Braimah, J. O., Edike, N., Okhaiomoje, A. I., and Correa, F. M. (2024). The fight against malaria in Edo-North, Edo State, Nigeria: Identifying risk factors for effective control. PeerJ, 12, e18301. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18301
Dawaki, S., Al-Mekhlafi, H. M., Ithoi, I., Ibrahim, J., Atroosh, W. M., Abdulsalam, A. M., Sady, H., Elyana, F. N., Adamu, A. U., Yelwa, S. I., Ahmed, A., Al-Areeqi, M. A., Subramaniam, L. R., Nasr, N. A., and Lau, Y.-L. (2016). Is Nigeria winning the battle against malaria? Prevalence, risk factors and KAP assessment among Hausa communities in Kano State. Malaria Journal, 15(1), 351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1394-3
Djihinto OY, Medjigbodo AA, Gangbadja ARA, Saizonou HM, Lagnika HO, Nanmede D, Djossou L, Bohounton R, Sovegnon PM, Fanou M-J, Agonhossou R, Akoton R, Mousse W and Djogbénou LS (2022) Malaria-Transmitting Vectors Microbiota: Overview and Interactions With Anopheles Mosquito Biology. Front. Microbiol. 13:891573. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.891573
Dutta, D., and Clevers, H. (2017) Organoidculture systems to study host–pathogen interactions. Current Opinion in Immunology. 48:15-22
Eboh, A., & Adebayo, A. O. (2023). Addressing malaria incidence in Africa through health care expenditure and access to basic sanitation services. Discover Health Systems, 2(37). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-023-00052-
Holmes, K. K., Bertozzi, S., Bloom, B. R., and Jha, P. (Eds.). (2017). Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 6): Major Infectious Diseases. The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0524-0
Ibrahim, O., Lugga, A., Ibrahim, N., Aladesua, O., Ibrahim, L., Suleiman, B., and Suleiman, B. (2021). Impact of climatic variables on childhood severe malaria in a tertiary health facility in northern Nigeria. Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, 173–181. https://doi.org/10.24911/SJP.106-1599226765
Isiko, I., Nyegenye, S., Bett, D. K., Asingwire, J. M., Okoro, L. N., Emeribe, N. A., Koech, C. C., Ahgu, O., Bulus, N. G., Taremwa, K., and Mwesigwa, A. (2024). Factors associated with the risk of malaria among children: Analysis of 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey. Malaria Journal, 23(1), 109.
John, T. J., & Kompithra, R. Z. (2023). Eco-epidemiology triad to explain infectious diseases. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 158(2), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_3031_21
Kariuki, S. N., and Williams, T. N. (2020). Human genetics and malaria resistance. Human Genetics, 139(6–7), 801–811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-020-02142-6
Kripa, P. K., Thanzeen, P. S., Jaganathasamy, N., Ravishankaran, S., Anvikar, A. R., and Eapen, A. (2024). Impact of climate change on temperature variations and extrinsic incubation period of malaria parasites in Chennai, India: Implications for its disease transmission potential. Parasites and Vectors, 17(1), 134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06165-0
Mohammed, K., Hussaini, F. A., & Obadiah, S. Y. (2025). Investigation on the infectivity rate of Plasmodium parasites and prevalence of mosquitoes genera in Katsina-Ala Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Sahel Journal of Life Sciences FUDMA, 3(2), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.33003/sajols-2025-0302-08
National Population Commission and National Bureau of Statistics Estimates. (2016). National Population Estimate 2006–2016 Report. Retrieved July 3rd, 2023 from https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/474
Ndila, C. M., Uyoga, S., Macharia, A. W., Nyutu, G., Peshu, N., Ojal, J., Shebe, M., Awuondo, K. O., Mturi, N., Tsofa, B., Sepúlveda, N., Clark, T. G., Band, G., Clarke, G., Rowlands, K., Hubbart, C., Jeffreys, A., Kariuki, S., Marsh, K., Mackinnon, M., Maitland, K., Kwiatkowski, D. P., Rockett, K. A., Williams, T. N., & MalariaGEN Consortium. (2018). Human candidate gene polymorphisms and risk of severe malaria in children in Kilifi, Kenya: A case-control association study. Lancet Haematology, 5(8), e333–e345. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(18)30107-8
Nyawanda, B. O., Kariuki, S., Khagayi, S., Bigogo, G., Danquah, I., Munga, S., and Vounatsou, P. (2024). Forecasting malaria dynamics based on causal relations between control interventions, climatic factors, and disease incidence in western Kenya. Journal of Global Health, 14, 04208. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.14.04208
Okwa, O. O., & Oloruntoba, O. (2019). Malaria in pregnancy and maternal health outcomes in Nigeria: A rural-urban comparison. Tropical Parasitology, 9(2), 89-96.
Okumu, F. O., Mbeyela, E., Ligamba, G., & Moore, S. J. (2017). Pesticide use in agriculture and its impact on malaria control in Nigeria: A study on the development of resistance in mosquito populations. PLOS ONE, 12(5), e0176857.
Oladipo, E. A., Oguntunde, P. G., & Adekalu, K. O. (2022). Climate change, rainfall variability, and malaria transmission in Nigeria. Journal of Climate Change and Health, 1(2), 25-34
Onyango, B. O., Githeko, A. K., & Yan, G. (2016). Farmers' vulnerability to malaria: A case study of agricultural labor intensity and mosquito exposure in Kenya and Nigeria. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94(5), 1178-1186.
Oyibo, F. O., Audu, S. I., Ajibade, Y. E., and Ahmed, T. A. (2020). Factors Influencing Malaria Incidence among Rural Farming Households: Evidence from Kogi Agricultural Zones. Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajrid/2020/v5i430171
Poespoprodjo, J. R., Moore, K. A., & Simpson, J. A. (2018). The burden of malaria in pregnancy and the need for improved prevention measures. Journal of Malaria Research, 27(4), 134-147.
Pouniotis, D., Proudfoot, O., Minigo, G., Hanley, J., & Plebanski, M. (2004). Malaria parasite interactions with the human host. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 50(1), 30–34.
Sato, S. (2021). Plasmodium—A brief introduction to the parasites causing human malaria and their basic biology. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 40(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-020-00251-9
Segun, O. E., Shohaimi, S., Nallapan, M., Lamidi-Sarumoh, A. A., and Salari, N. (2020). Statistical Modelling of the Effects of Weather Factors on Malaria Occurrence in Abuja, Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3474. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103474
Takken, W. (2021). The mosquito and malaria. In M. Hall and D. Tamïr, Mosquitopia (1st ed., pp. 109–122). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003056034-11
Ugwu, C. L. J., & Zewotir, T. (2020). Evaluating the effects of climate and environmental factors on under-5 children malaria spatial distribution using generalized additive models (GAMs). Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 10(4), 304-314. https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.200814.001
Uyoga, S., Ndila, C. M., Macharia, A. W., Nyutu, G., Shah, S., Peshu, N., Clarke, G. M., Kwiatkowski, D. P., Rockett, K. A., Williams, T. N., & MalariaGEN Consortium. (2015). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and the risk of malaria and other diseases in children in Kenya: A case-control and a cohort study. The Lancet Haematology, 2(10), e437–e444. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3026(15)00152-0
WHO (2020). World malaria report 2020: 20 years of global progress and challenges. Geneva: World Health Organization.Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015791.
WHO. (2023). World malaria report 2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. ISBN 978-92-4-008617-3 (electronic version) ISBN 978-92-4-008618-0 (print version) World malaria report 2023 (who.int)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph Sunday Idikwu, David Adugh Kuhe, Jacob Aondongu Nyitar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
