Comparative Analysis of the Incidence of Covid-19 and Malaria Fatality in Nigeria

Richard O. Olutan, Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Sunday Abatan, Federal University Oye
Kehinde Adelaja, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

This research endeavors to rectify age-related disparities in the age-specific incidence fatality rates of COVID-19 and Malaria, facilitating a meaningful comparative analysis. Employing an experimental and diagnostic research design, the study encompasses the entire population of Nigeria using pooled data. The direct standardization technique is employed to enable rigorous comparison. The Standardized Fatality Rate for COVID-19 and Malaria is calculated at 0.20 and 2.47, respectively. Noteworthy findings indicate a relatively low fatality rate of COVID-19 in Nigeria, juxtaposed with a higher fatality rate for Malaria. The study conclusively asserts that a nation's age structure significantly influences disease fatality rates, given age's status as a mortality determinant. Furthermore, statistical analysis reveals a significant disparity in the incidence patterns of COVID-19 and Malaria (t = -2.08, p-value = 0.05). Consequently, the study advocates the careful application of standardization techniques to adjust the impact of age structure on disease fatality rates.