Prevalence of Malaria Among Secondary School Students in Calabar, Cross River State

Malaria transmission in secondary school settings is influenced by both environmental exposure and individual preventive behaviours, yet adolescent populations are frequently excluded from targeted malaria intervention studies in South South Nigeria. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors among secondary school students in Calabar, Cross River State. A total of 260 students aged 11 to 18 years from four government-owned schools were enrolled. Finger-prick blood samples were tested using malaria rapid diagnostic tests and confirmed with Giemsa-stained blood films. A structured self-administered questionnaire captured net usage, previous malaria episodes, and knowledge of prevention. Malaria prevalence was 24.6 percent, with the highest rates observed among students who reported irregular net use and those residing in communities with open drainage channels. Male students aged 12 to 15 years had the highest infection rates. Awareness of artemisinin-based combination therapy as first-line treatment was low at 31.5 percent. These findings call for adolescent-targeted malaria prevention education embedded within the secondary school health curriculum, with emphasis on correct net use and appropriate treatment-seeking behaviour in Cross River State. Keywords: malaria, secondary school students, Calabar, adolescent health, Cross River State.