Select a health issue presented by a classmate in week 5 but discuss its impact in another country of any income level. Make sure you discuss the relative burden, country specific factors which contribute to the incidence and prevalence of the disease and challenges to prevention in the country you select. For full credit, make sure to define your terms clearly and draw some comparisons between the two countries. Note any contrasts to the impact in the country in the original post.

Present a cohesive argument with a thesis statement, details related to the components above using specific examples and support for the thesis and a concluding sentence.

Malaria in Nigeria

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. (WHO, WHO and partners, 2017).” In 2015, the WHO reported that there were more than 200 million cases of malaria and 437,000 deaths (WHO, WHO and partners, 2017).

Prevalence

In 2018, the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) said that “Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria and has the highest out of the fifteen countries who accounted for 80% of global malaria deaths in 2016. (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).” The ARFH also stated that, “Malaria is a risk for 97% of Nigeria’s population, of which under -5 children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).”

Cost

The ARFH reported in 2018 that Nigeria unfortunately accounts for 53% of the $1.3 billion funding gap for essential commodities. Nigeria recently renewed its funding commitments, securing $300 million in new financing from the World Bank. (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).

Impact on Society

According to WHO in 2017, “following more than 8 years of conflict in Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, some 3.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and all are at risk for malaria (WHO, WHO and partners, 2017).” WHO also estimated in 2017, that every week, around 8,500 people were infected with malaria in Borno State (WHO, WHO and partners, 2017). The ARFH reported in 2018 that “the estimated global tally of malaria deaths reached 445,000 in 2016 compared to 446,000 in 2015 (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).”

Summary-Barriers to Interventions

Fortunately, Malaria is preventable and curable. The ARFH states in 2018 that “the most effective way of preventing malaria is to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, spray indoor walls with insecticides, to keep your surroundings clean and free of stagnant water, etc. (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).” The WHO has also made an effort to combat malaria in Nigeria. “In early July (of 2017), the first of 4 monthly rounds of mass drug administration reached more than 880,000 of the 1.1 million children under -5 who were targeted (ARFH, World Malaria Day, 2018).” While organizations have made an effort and have reached out to help support this cause, there are possible barriers that could make it harder for treatment and prevention to take effect. A possible barrier in the way of treatment is funds. Nigeria is one of many low income countries in Africa and likely does not have the budget to provide health care and medications to the public. It may also be difficult for volunteering health professionals from other countries to travel to Nigeria in the case of funds, or if he/she hasn’t been vaccinated against possible diseases or infections prevalent in Nigeria (besides malaria).

References

Association for Reproductive and Family Health. (2018, April 25). Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://arfh-ng.org/world-malaria-day-2018-how-nig…

World Health Organization. (2017, August 16). WHO and partners take on malaria: the top killer in north-eastern Nigeria. Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://www.who.int/en/news-room/feature-stories/d…

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