Malaria Entomological Inoculation Rates and Vectorial Capacity in Communities Bordering the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, Jigawa State, North West Nigeria

The Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in Jigawa State constitute a globally important wetland system that supports seasonal flooding, irrigation agriculture, and dense human settlement. The combination of standing water and high agricultural activity in this system is expected to create conditions supporting intense malaria vector activity, yet entomological inoculation rate data for these wetland-edge communities are lacking. This study estimates malaria entomological inoculation rates and models vectorial capacity in communities at the margins of the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands over 24 months of surveillance. Monthly adult mosquito collections using human landing catches and light traps will be conducted at six sentinel communities. Anopheles species will be identified by molecular methods, and ELISA will determine sporozoite rates. Entomological inoculation rates will be calculated and disaggregated by season and settlement position relative to wetland margins. Vectorial capacity modeling will use field-measured parameters including biting rate, longevity, and human blood index. The study closes a critical gap in the national malaria burden model for wetland-associated communities and provides data needed to calibrate transmission intensity estimates used by the National Malaria Elimination Programme in North West Nigeria. Keywords: entomological inoculation rate, malaria, Hadejia-Nguru, wetlands, Jigawa State