Background and objectives: Malaria remains a disease of major health concern in sub-Saharan African countries with tropical climate. The study was designed to determine the prevalence of malaria parasitemia among asymptomatic students of Kogi State University living off campus. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out among 250 students (105 males and 145 females) of Kogi State University living off campus, using rapid diagnosis test method. Results: The result of the study shows that 40(16%) students were infected with Plasmodium falciparum, with a high prevalence of 25(23.81%) recorded in males compared to 15(10.35%) in females. Students of age 25-29 years had the highest prevalence of 20(25%), followed by those aged 15-19 years and 20-24 years with prevalence of 10(22.22%) and 10(10%) respectively while no case was recorded for age 30 years and above. Genotype related prevalence shows that students with the genotype “AS” had the highest prevalence of 15(25%), while “AA” had 25(13.51%) and “SS” had no recorded case. Students with blood group of A+, O-and O+ had the prevalence of 15(37.5%), 5(25%) and 15(20%) respectively. Higher prevalence of 23.53% was observed among student who reside at back of school while those at stadium road and front of school had 15(27.27%) and 5(4.55%), respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference between malaria parasitmia and genotype (p?0.05) but was observed between malaria parasitemia and sex, age, blood group, and location of students (p<0.05). Interpretation and conclusion: This study indicated a substantial rate of malaria infection among students of Kogi State University living off campus. Awareness creation among students on malariapredisposing risk factors should be intensified to reduce malaria burden and the associated sequelae.

Keywords: Malaria; Plasmodium; Students; asymptomatic; Nigeria