Vector Control Practices and Malaria Burden in Fishing Communities Along the Niger Delta, Cross River State

Fishing communities along the Niger Delta coastline in Cross River State face elevated malaria transmission risks due to prolonged exposure to mosquito breeding habitats in mangrove and estuarine environments, combined with limited access to formal vector control services. This study assesses vector control practices and the malaria burden in fishing communities in selected coastal local government areas of Cross River State. A cross-sectional design is applied, with 280 household heads and caregivers recruited through cluster sampling from six fishing settlements. Structured questionnaires assess insecticide-treated net ownership and use, environmental sanitation practices, knowledge of vector breeding sites, malaria history in the past month, and health facility utilisation for febrile illness. Rapid diagnostic test kits are used to confirm malaria status in consenting symptomatic participants. Data are analysed using SPSS with chi-square and odds ratio calculations. Recent entomological surveys and Cross River State malaria programme reports confirm that coastal fishing communities experience above-average malaria prevalence, with bed net use remaining below 50 percent. The study applies the Integrated Vector Management framework of the WHO. Findings will support the Cross River State Malaria Elimination Programme in tailoring community vector control strategies for coastal populations. Keywords: vector control, malaria burden, fishing communities, Niger Delta, Cross River State.