Malaria Transmission Intensity and Bed Net Coverage in Fishing Communities on Lake Chad, Borno State, North East Nigeria

Fishing communities on Lake Chad represent a particularly vulnerable population for malaria transmission, combining high vector density from aquatic breeding habitats with seasonal mobility, low health facility access, and limited coverage by conventional malaria interventions. This study assesses malaria transmission intensity and insecticide-treated net coverage among fishing communities on the Nigerian side of Lake Chad in Borno State, North East Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, enrolling 300 individuals including adults and children from six fishing settlements in Kukawa and Marte Local Government Areas. Thick blood film microscopy was performed on finger-prick blood samples for Plasmodium species detection, and haematocrit was measured for anaemia assessment. Household surveys documented bednet ownership, hanging status, and usage the preceding night. Landing catches of mosquitoes were conducted using human landing catch methods, with specimens identified morphologically and assessed for sporozoite positivity. Literature from 2020 to 2024 documents severely limited bednet coverage in Lake Chad fishing settlements, partly due to the transient nature of settlements and inaccessibility during the wet season. This study quantifies both human infection rates and entomological transmission indices, providing a comprehensive transmission profile for programme targeting. Findings will be submitted to the Borno State Malaria Elimination Programme and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. Keywords: malaria transmission, fishing communities, Lake Chad, Borno State, insecticide-treated nets.