Malaria Parasitaemia in Febrile Under-Five Children Presenting at Primary Healthcare Centres in Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Malaria is the foremost cause of fever and paediatric morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, yet accurate parasitological confirmation at the primary healthcare level remains inconsistent across Nigeria's northeastern states. This study determines the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among febrile children under five attending primary healthcare centres in Yobe State, North East Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional design was employed, recruiting 300 febrile children from six selected primary healthcare centres in Damaturu, Potiskum, and Geidam Local Government Areas. Peripheral blood was collected by finger-prick, and thick blood films were stained with Giemsa and examined by trained microscopists. Rapid diagnostic tests were administered concurrently to compare diagnostic performance. Data on nutritional status, fever duration, treatment history, and bednet usage were obtained from caregivers. Literature from 2020 to 2024 identifies Yobe State among the high-burden malaria zones of northeastern Nigeria, with diagnosis at PHC level frequently based on clinical presumption alone. This study aims to quantify confirmed malaria among febrile under-fives and assess the sensitivity and specificity of RDTs compared to microscopy. Findings will support the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in strengthening malaria case management protocols at the primary care level. Keywords: malaria parasitaemia, febrile children, under-five, Yobe State, rapid diagnostic test.