Review on Current Strategies of Malaria Control in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State, where climatic conditions, poverty, poor sanitation, and weak health systems sustain transmission. This seminar reviewed current malaria control strategies in the state, focusing on epidemiology, interventions, challenges, and emerging innovations. Plasmodium falciparum is identified as the dominant parasite responsible for severe cases and deaths, while Anopheles gambiae serves as the primary vector. Key interventions include insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), larval source management (LSM), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), rapid diagnostic testing (RDTs), Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), and community health education. Although these measures have reduced malaria morbidity and mortality, their effectiveness is constrained by several challenges, including insecticide and drug resistance, poor net utilization, weak surveillance systems, irregular commodity supply, poverty, environmental degradation, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Evidence from different LGAs in Kaduna State also shows that irrigation farming, insecurity, internally displaced populations, and poor sanitation contribute significantly to sustained transmission. At the same time, behavioural non-compliance further undermines intervention outcomes. The review highlights emerging control approaches such as malaria vaccines (R21/Matrix-M), gene-drive mosquito technologies, digital surveillance systems, and artificial intelligence-based predictive tools as promising future directions. It concludes that achieving sustainable malaria elimination in Kaduna State requires a comprehensive, multisectoral approach that integrates strengthened health systems, improved surveillance, environmental management, consistent political commitment, community engagement, and the effective adoption of both existing and innovative control strategies.