Integrating Malaria Prevention Strategies into Primary Healthcare in Nigeria: A Narrative Review of Evidence, Implementation Pathways and Policy Priorities

Mercy Latricia

Department of Pharmacognosy Kampala International University Uganda

Email: atricia.mercy@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

                                                                                     ABSTRACT
Malaria remains a public-health challenge in Nigeria despite the availability of effective prevention methods. This review highlights the importance of integrating malaria prevention into primary healthcare, which serves as the closest point of care for households and supports maternal, newborn, and child-health services. Integration should involve coordinated service delivery, financing, data management, and accountability rather than simply adding more duties to overstretched facilities. Key strategies include routine distribution and education on insecticidetreated nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women, chemoprevention for eligible children, vaccination where appropriate, environmental and vector control, community case management, referral, and improved surveillance. Although combined facility- and community-based approaches have increased service use, progress is limited by shortages of staff, medicines, funding, data, private-sector reporting, and equitable access. The review recommends a nationally defined service package, local planning, stronger supervision, protected commodity funding, expanded community health workers, improved data systems, and equity-focused monitoring tailored to transmission patterns.

Keywords: malaria prevention; primary healthcare; Nigeria; insecticide-treated nets; chemoprevention

CITE AS: Mercy Latricia (2026). Integrating Malaria Prevention Strategies into Primary Healthcare in Nigeria: A Narrative Review of Evidence, Implementation Pathways and Policy Priorities. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 11(3):80-89.
https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/2026/1138089