Economic Effect of Malaria on Artisanal Fish Production in a Coastal Area of Nigeria

This study investigated the economic effect of malaria on artisanal fish production in Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 120 fisher folks households were sampled through a multi-stage random sampling procedure. Primary data which were obtained through administration of structured questionnaire was used for this study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cost of Illness (COI) approach and ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis. The study found that 1.67% of the sampled respondent used only mosquito coil as preventive measure while 41.67% of the respondents used a combination of mosquito coil, insecticide and immunization as preventive measures to avert the possible occurrence of malaria among their household members. The mean COI among the fisher folks’ households was ₦109, 995.85 per year, out of which 31.6% was spent on drugs and herbs, 15.5% on hospital consultancy fees while the time cost of illness of both the sick person and the caretaker were 28.4% and 13.1%, respectively. The regression analysis result revealed that aged and experienced fisher folks were more susceptible to malaria attack while number of days absent from work, number of malaria episodes and cost of treatment had adverse effect on fish production in the study area. The study concluded that the incidence of malaria in the households impact negatively on fish catch level. It is therefore recommended, among others, that health care services in the fishing communities be improved while fishers should make proper use of preventive measures so as to reduce cost and number of days lost to illness.