The 2010 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (2010 NMIS) was implemented by the National Population Commission (NPC) and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). ICF International provided technical assistance through the MEASURE DHS programme, a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides support and technical assistance in the implementation of population and health surveys in countries worldwide. It was carried out from October to December 2010 on a nationally representative sample of more than 6,000 households. All women age 15-49 in the selected households were eligible for individual interviews. During the interviews, they were asked questions about malaria prevention during pregnancy and the treatment of fever among their children. In addition, the survey included testing for anaemia and malaria among children age 6-59 months using finger (or heel) prick blood samples. Test results were available immediately and were provided to the children’s parents or guardians. Thick blood smears and thin blood films were also made in the field and transported to the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Microscopy was performed to determine the presence of malaria parasites and to identify the parasite species. Slide validation was carried out by the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar. The 2009-2013 National Strategic Plan for Malaria Control in Nigeria aims to massively scale up malaria control interventions in parts of the country. The 2010 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) was, therefore, designed to measure progress toward achieving the goals and targets of this strategic plan by providing data on key malaria indicators, including ownership and use of bed nets, diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria using artemisinin-based therapy (ACT), indoor residual spraying, and behaviour change communication. The following are the specific objectives of the 2010 NMIS: To measure the extent of ownership and use of mosquito bed nets To assess the coverage of intermittent and preventive treatment programmes for pregnant women To identify practices used to treat malaria among children under age 5 and the use of specific antimalarial medications To measure the prevalence of malaria and anaemia among children age 6-59 months To determine the species of plasmodium parasite most prevalent in Nigeria To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding malaria in the general population
