Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 7 3 2012 09 15 31 37 EN BH Oladeinde Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria R Omoregie School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria M Olley Department of Pathology, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria JA Anunibe Department of Pathology, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria AA Onifade Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria AND Faculty of Health & Social Care, St George’s University of London & Kingston University London OB Oladeinde Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Irrua Edo State. Nigeria 2015 10 03 Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria and anemia among child­ren in rural community of Okada, Edo State Nigeria, as well as to assess the level of use of Insecti­cide treated bed nets and its impact on prevalence of malaria and anemia among study population. Methods: Thick blood films from 226 children with signs and symptoms of malaria in Okada commu­nity were stained and examined for presence of malaria parasites. Hemoglobin concentra­tion of all children was also determined using standard method. Result: A total of 185 (81.9%) children were infected with malaria parasite. Malaria parasitaemia was significantly affected by age (P =0.003). A significantly higher number of positive cases of malaria and anemia was observed in rainy season as compared to dry season (P<0.05). The prevalence of anemia in children was 47.3%. Malaria was a risk factor for development of anemia in children (OR=2.551; 95% CI=1.227, 5.305; P=0.015). Use of insecticide treated bed nets was recorded in 11(4.9%) of children studied, and did not significantly reduce the prevalence of malaria and anemia. However among malaria parasite infected children, its use significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia (OR=0.126; 95%CI = 0.015, 1.047; P= 0.031). Conclusion: Malaria and anemia among children was high malaria intervention progammes by rele­vant agencies is strongly advocated. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/249 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/249/248