Malaria Prevalence in Children Under Five and Pregnant Women in Hong LGA

Background and Objective: Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting pregnant women and children under five. Locally specific prevalence data are essential to guide targeted control and elimination strategies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria infection among these high-risk groups attending healthcare facilities in Hong Local Government Area, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 pregnant women and 399 children aged ≤5 years across three healthcare facilities. Malaria infection was diagnosed using rapid diagnostic tests and confirmed with Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and associations with malaria infection were evaluated using Chi-square tests. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Overall malaria prevalence was 29.5% (126/427) in pregnant women and 24.8% (99/399) in children. Among pregnant women, infection was highest in the 22-26-year age group (29.4%) and during the first trimester at the tertiary facility (40.6%), though no significant associations were observed with maternal age (χ² = 3.21, p = 0.52) or gestational age. In children, prevalence increased with age, from 17.5% in neonates to 25.9% in toddlers (1-5 years), with no significant differences by age or gender. Facility-level comparisons revealed the highest mean malaria positivity at the tertiary hospital (27.5%), followed by Banshika (26.7%) and Hildi (25.4%). Conclusion: Malaria infection remains prevalent among pregnant women and young children in the study area, reflecting persistent gaps in preventive measures. Strengthened, facility-based interventions-including routine screening during antenatal and pediatric visits, improved access to chemoprevention, and community-targeted education-are urgently needed to reduce transmission and protect these vulnerable populations.