Geospatial Analysis of Malaria Outcomes in Hospital in Cross River State, Nigeria

Despite a global decline, malaria is still the primary cause of hospitalizations and mortality in Africa, impacting both children and mothers. It also affects a country's GDP due to lost productivity from illness. Malaria cases rise in the wet season when flooded areas and open drains create more mosquito breeding grounds. This period often coincides with reduced mobility due to flooded roads, hindering timely healthcare access.This research explored geographical disparities in malaria outcomes, including severity, admissions, and mortality, in two hospitals in Cross River State, Nigeria. Data was gathered from Ugep General Hospital, serving rural areas, and Calabar General Hospital, serving urban areas. Travel times to hospitals were analyzed using ESRI ArcGIS, and associations were examined with Binomial Logistic Regression in SPSS. The study found that the rural hospital had higher rates of severe malaria, admissions, and mortality. Rural patients had longer travel times for treatment. Child mortality from malaria was 9.3 times higher in the rural hospital, and the odds of severe malaria increased significantly with 30-90 minutes' drive time to the urban hospital. In conclusion, the study uncovers significant healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas in Cross River State and Nigeria. These findings add to the dialogue on enhancing health systems in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, offering valuable insights for health planners and researchers.