Influence of Altitudinal Gradient on Human Malaria Prevalence in Plateau State, Central Nigeria: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

This longitudinal study assessed the prevalence of human malaria infection across different altitudinal zones in Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria, aiming to identify the impact of altitude on malaria transmission dynamics. Malaria is a potentially lethal disease caused by protozoan parasites called Plasmodium. Abiotic factors are known to be the main factors influencing the epidemiology of the disease. In 2018 and 2019, blood samples were taken and examined for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria using the SD-PAN Ag mRDT. After that, blood film slides were created in order to calculate the parasite density for each of the four seasons' worth of positive samples. The prevalence rates of malaria in the three locations vary significantly, with the highest rates observed at lower altitudes (Pangwasa 211m) above sea level and the lowest at the highest altitude (Vwang 1330m) above sea level. Vwang has the lowest malaria prevalence of 16.25%, Jing (663m) has a higher prevalence of 40.0%, and Pangwasa has the highest prevalence at 46.9.