ACCEPTANCE OF MALARIA VACCINE BY A RURAL COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA

Background: Introduction of malaria vaccine is imminent. This study evaluated the prevalence of malaria among a non-febrile population and their willingness to accept a malaria vaccine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study done in a rural community in south east Nigeria. A total of 156 household heads were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was pre-tested before commencement of the study to correct ambiguity. Results: Majority (78.2%) acknowledged that malaria is the commonest illness in the community, while 55.1% believed that presumptive treatment is the best malaria preventive measure. Most (98.7%) of the study participants immunized their children against childhood vaccine preventable diseases, while 91.6% would be willing to accept a malaria vaccine. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among non-febrile respondents was 35.4% and the use of mosquito nets was 17.9%. Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria among non-febrile populations, the practice of presumptive treatment of unconfirmed fever as malaria preventive measure and the low use of bed nets, points that it is time to introduce malaria vaccine. The high willingness to receive the vaccine is positive to the introduction of the vaccine.