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IntroductionRapid urbanization in Nigerian cities may likely result in small-scale variation in malaria transmission with a higher malaria burden in informal settlements and slums. However, data is unavailable to quantify city-level variations in transmission risk and to inform selection of appropriate interventions. We are conducting field studies to understand how malaria risk varies at the smallest administrative units (wards) in two major Nigerian cities – Ibadan and Kano – to inform tailoring of interventions for cities in Nigeria’s National Malaria Strategic Plan.Methods and AnalysisThis is a mixed-method research design involving qualitative and quantitative research methods. We will carry out formative qualitative studies to inform sampling strategies for formal settlements, informal settlements and slums and the design of survey questionnaires. Cross-sectional surveys will be conducted in the wet and dry seasons across wards in the study cities and within different settlement types at the household and health facility levels to map all-age and under-five malaria prevalence and evaluate related risk factors. A 12-month longitudinal study among children under the age of 10 years will provide information on malaria seasonality in the two cities and related factors. Entomological surveys will be used to undertaken for eight months (four months in each season) per city to assess local transmission risk in both cities. Descriptive and regression analysis will be applied to study data to assess malaria prevalence, seasonality and related factors. Mathematical models of malaria transmission for each study ward will be developed based on study data to inform assessment of the impact of various intervention scenarios specified by the NMEP on malaria transmission.Ethics and DisseminationThis protocol has been approved by Nigeria’s National Health Research Committee and relevant institutional Ethical Review Committees. Study results will be disseminated to key stakeholders and study communities.Strength and LimitationsStrengthsCross-sectional and longitudinal study sampling procedures and questionnaire design are enhanced by a strong formative research foundationStudy design and site selection are informed by modeling and local knowledgeThe combination of human and vector studies will provide detailed information on malaria transmission risk and associated driversLimitationsCross-sectional study may not be powered to measure all-age prevalence as sample size estimation is based on prevalence among children under the age of five yearsStudy findings may not adequately measure transmission burden and risk factors in unsampled wards

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites and polyparasitism of intestinal helminths amongst cattle slaughtered in two major abattoirs of Abeokuta metropolis and their implications for One Health. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 256 cattle of less than 2 and greater than 2 years of age. Blood samples were screened for PCV using haematocrit centrifuge technique and parasites were detected by microscopy using wet mount, buffy coat and stained thin smear. Helminth eggs and oocysts were detected using centrifugal sedimentation and centrifugal faecal flotation method. Results showed prevalence for Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. to be 8.3%, 27.34%, 20.7% and 0.39% respectively. For intestinal parasites, prevalence for Strongyle eggs was found to be 73.82%, Neoascaris vitulorum 0.8%, Fasciola spp. 10.15%, Moniezia spp. 4.3%, Eimeria oocyst 35.94% and Cryptosporidium oocyst was 1.17%. Total prevalence for coinfection of haemoparasite and intestinal helminths was 42.6%. Breed-specific prevalence for co-infection of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites showed 55.96%, 37.6% and 6.4% for White Fulani, Red Bororo and Sokoto Gudali respectively, which was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). With respect to sex, females had higher prevalence 92 (84.4%) of coinfection of haemoparasites and intestinal helminths than males 17 (15.6%), which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). This study revealed a high prevalence of haemoparasites and intestinal parasites in cattle slaughtered in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The presence of Fasciola at the Lafenwa abattoir which is the major market for beef sourcing in Abeokuta shows that the public is at risk of potential outbreak of fascioliasis. With a clear understanding of the epidemiology of fascioliasis, this study therefore recommends strict compliance of meat inspection at abattoirs and the need for immediate operationalization and implementation of a sustainable Preventive One Health intervention in order to mitigate against potential outbreak in Abeokuta.

Abundance of aquatic stages of Simulium black fly collected from different sites in Galabat sub-focus, during 2009, 2013 and 2015. (DOCX 26 kb)