Malaria greatest concern than diabetes, cancer, HIV

Some 78% of respondents ranked malaria and typhoid their biggest health concern in the survey by the Hala Nigeria, a project of the Internationaal Centre for Journalists, ICFJ.    Only 12% considered diabetes a big health problem, and another 10% considered cancer to be more important.HIV/AIDS and polio, which receive high profile intervention, received the lowest […]

Some 78% of respondents ranked malaria and typhoid their biggest health concern in the survey by the Hala Nigeria, a project of the Internationaal Centre for Journalists, ICFJ.    
Only 12% considered diabetes a big health problem, and another 10% considered cancer to be more important.
HIV/AIDS and polio, which receive high profile intervention, received the lowest rankings among respondents asked to choose which disease was their biggest concern.
More than one third of over 1,000 people who took part urged government to spend more money building health facilities near their homes.
While 71% of Nigerians described themselves as healthy, more than 60% had been to a doctor—and one out of every who went never did any tests, the survey showed.
ICFJ vice president for programmes Patrick Butler said the survey, conducted by polling firm NOI Polls and funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave Nigerians chance to speak their biggest concerns.
“Now that they have spoken, journalists and health officials can take note as they seek to address public concerns.”
The poll showed malaria still ranked high despite efforts in mosquito control, bednet campaign and treatment, said Dr Omokhudu Idogho, programme director at Society for Family Health, an ICFJ partner.  
But the concern about malaria is not surprising because “where our knowledge is at the moment, almost every fever is considered malaria,” said Dr Idogho.