Trends and Prevalence of Malaria among Undergraduates accessing the University Health Services in the University of Ibadan

Abstract

Malaria continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among young adults in university settings. This study examined the trends and prevalence of malaria among undergraduates accessing the University Health Services (UHS) at the University of Ibadan, with the aim of assessing preventive and treatment measures, utilization of healthcare services, and demographic and behavioral factors associated with malaria. A descriptive study design was employed, targeting full-time undergraduates who sought care at UHS. A sample of 440 participants was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula and selected via purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a self-administered, validated, and reliable questionnaire, covering socio-demographics, malaria prevalence, prevention and treatment effectiveness, UHS utilization, and behavioral factors. Descriptive statistics summarized frequencies, percentages, and means, while Chi-square tests examined associations between categorical variables at a 0.05 significance level using SPSS version 25. Findings revealed a high prevalence of malaria, with 63.6% of students diagnosed in the past six months and 77.1% experiencing symptoms in the previous year. Self-diagnosis was common (55.7%), and preventive practices were inconsistently applied. Utilization of UHS for malaria care was moderate, hindered by long waiting times and service limitations. Behavioral and environmental factors, including self-medication and stagnant water near residences, contributed to persistent infections. The study underscores the need for enhanced health education, improved university health services, and active environmental management to reduce malaria incidence and improve student health and academic performance. Keywords: Malaria prevalence, Undergraduates, University Health Services, Preventive measures, Self-medication,