ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MALARIA FEVER INCIDENCE ON FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN OGUN STATE, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

One of the setback facing farmers and agricultural production is inadequate availability of labour that could be due to debilitating factors such as ill health caused by disease outbreak of which malaria is the most prevalent in Nigeria. The study analyzed economic cost of Malaria on farming household in Odeda and Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents were purposively selected for the study, with sixty (60) respondents from each of the Local Government Areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and arithmetic indices. It was found that the average prevalence rate of the disease was 36%. The rate of infection was higher for males (60%) than for females (40%) and that over 70% of the persons in the households (both male and female) in the economically active age group (18 years and above) were infected. On the average, each household incurred cost value at N16,075, N9,051.8, N12487.8 and N1899.9 on direct prevention, direct treatment, and indirect cost of the sick and other cost such as transportation, feeding respectively. Above all, 5.2% of household income was spent on Malaria prevention. Based on the findings, education and enlightenment programs are recommended for rural communities so as to help increase their awareness of vector control and mode of transmission of malaria. It can be backed up with the provision of anti-malaria drugs at subsidized rate as well as establishment of more primary health centers at the grassroots level.