Prevalence of malaria among COVID-19 suspected cases in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract Malaria and COVID-19 share some symptoms. Therefore, diagnosing these diseases clinically might be misleading, especially during an epidemic response. We determined the prevalence of malaria among COVID-19 suspected cases in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. This study was conducted in five selected health facilities in Abuja, with participation of 254 febrile patients attending COVID-19 screening centres in those facilities. Each subject was interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Samples were collected for malaria and COVID-19 testing. Descriptive statistical analysis was done and included means, standard deviations, and proportions. Results were presented in form of tables and figures. There were 254 participants with median age of 34 years (range: 18–80). The age group, 30–49 years had the highest representation among the participants (55.1%). Majority were females (53.1%), with tertiary education (66.9%), were businessmen/women (37.4%) and civil servants (24.8%). More than half of participants were married (54%). Only 2% tested positive for malaria, and 1.2% for COVID-19. No participant presented with co-infection. The prevalence of COVID-19 among patients presenting themselves for COVID-19 testing was low while the prevalence of malaria was also low. There is still a need to test all suspected cases of COVID-19 that present in a testing centre for malaria.