Prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases and Environmental Determinants in Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Vector-borne diseases, particularly malaria and dengue fever, represent a substantial burden on healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This descriptive cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of vector-borne diseases and associated environmental determinants in three residential zones of Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Household surveys were conducted among 350 randomly selected households to assess malaria prevalence, environmental risk factors, and preventive practices. Field entomological surveys were simultaneously carried out to estimate mosquito larval densities. Clinic records from three primary healthcare facilities were reviewed for a twelve-month retrospective analysis of confirmed vector-borne disease cases. Results indicated a malaria prevalence of sixty-two percent among children below five years, with the rainy season contributing to seventy-eight percent of all reported cases. Standing water bodies, blocked drainage channels, and accumulated solid waste near residences were identified as primary breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes. Insecticide-treated net ownership was high at seventy-one percent, but consistent usage was documented in only forty-four percent of households. Households located within 200 metres of open drains exhibited significantly higher malaria incidence. The study recommends a multi-sectoral environmental management approach including community drainage clearing exercises, improved waste management, and targeted larviciding programs supported by the Benue State Ministry of Health. Keywords: malaria, vector-borne diseases, Makurdi, environmental determinants, mosquito breeding.