Entomological Survey of Malaria Vectors in Irrigation Communities Along the Hadejia-Jama’are River System, Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Irrigated agriculture in semi-arid northern Nigeria creates favorable conditions for the breeding of Anopheline mosquitoes, potentially elevating malaria transmission beyond seasonal norms. Yobe State, situated in Nigeria's North East, experiences both endemic malaria and expanding irrigation infrastructure, creating conditions that may intensify vector populations year-round. This study conducts an entomological survey of malaria vectors in farming communities along the Hadejia-Jama'are River irrigation scheme in Yobe State. Adult mosquitoes will be collected from indoor resting surfaces using pyrethrum spray catches and outdoor CDC light traps at six communities over twelve months. Anopheles species will be identified morphologically, and specimens will be tested for sporozoite infection using ELISA. Larval habitats will be mapped and characterized by habitat type and management status. Abundance data will be analyzed to compare transmission intensity between irrigated and rain-fed communities. This study will provide evidence of whether year-round irrigation significantly extends malaria vector activity in the Sahel fringe. Results will be submitted to the Yobe State Primary Health Care Development Agency to inform targeted vector control interventions. Keywords: malaria vectors, Anopheles, irrigation schemes, Yobe State, sporozoite rate