Malaria Transmission Hotspots in Off-Campus University Lodges: The Role of Micro-Environmental Conditions in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with environmental conditions strongly influencing mosquito breeding and disease transmission. University communities represent understudied high-risk settings due to dense populations and often suboptimal residential environments.
Objective: This study assessed how key environmental factors—including ambient temperature, relative humidity, and poor sanitary conditions such as stagnant surface water and clogged drainage—contribute to malaria transmission among university students in Okofia community, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and observational study was conducted among 200 students residing in 20 randomly selected private lodges. Environmental parameters, including ambient temperature, relative humidity, and the presence of stagnant water (including clogged drainage and uncovered water receptacles around student accommodations) were assessed through direct observation and measurement over seven consecutive days. Malaria occurrence data were obtained from structured questionnaires and university clinic records over a two-month period. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic variables, environmental parameters, and malaria occurrence.
Results: The mean ambient temperature across lodges was 28.1°C, while mean relative humidity was 84.3%, both within optimal ranges for Anopheles mosquito survival and Plasmodium parasite development. Stagnant water, including surface water, clogged drainage, and uncovered water receptacles around students’ dwellings, was widely present. A total of 229 malaria cases were recorded within the two-month period.
Conclusion: Malaria transmission among university students in Okofia community is associated with favorable environmental conditions and poor environmental sanitation management. Factors such as stagnant surface water, clogged drainage, and uncovered water receptacles facilitate prolific mosquito breeding. Integrating environmental sanitation and larval source management into malaria control strategies is essential for reducing malaria burden in university residential settings.