Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria and anemia among children
in rural community of Okada, Edo State Nigeria, as well as to assess the level of use of Insecticide
treated bed nets and its impact on prevalence of malaria and anemia among study population.
Methods: Thick blood films from 226 children with signs and symptoms of malaria in Okada community
were stained and examined for presence of malaria parasites. Hemoglobin concentration of
all children was also determined using standard method.
Result: A total of 185 (81.9%) children were infected with malaria parasite. Malaria parasitaemia was
significantly affected by age (P =0.003). A significantly higher number of positive cases of malaria
and anemia was observed in rainy season as compared to dry season (P<0.05). The prevalence of
anemia in children was 47.3%. Malaria was a risk factor for development of anemia in children
(OR=2.551; 95% CI=1.227, 5.305; P=0.015). Use of insecticide treated bed nets was recorded in
11(4.9%) of children studied, and did not significantly reduce the prevalence of malaria and anemia.
However among malaria parasite infected children, its use significantly reduced the prevalence of
anemia (OR=0.126; 95%CI = 0.015, 1.047; P= 0.031).
Conclusion: Malaria and anemia among children was high malaria intervention progammes by rele- vant agencies is strongly advocated