A family physician, Olurotimi Agboola, on Wednesday debunked the belief that stress causes malaria, stating that the claim is a misconception unsupported by scientific evidence.

Mr Agboola, who works at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, emphasised this during a health talk and free eye screening organised by the management in Lagos State.

He emphasised that malaria was caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

The physician explained that stress weakened the body’s immune response, making an individual feel unwell, but that there was nothing like stress-induced malaria.

“Symptoms often attributed to it may be due to other health conditions or an existing malaria infection that requires proper medical diagnosis.

“Stress can weaken the immune system and make individuals more susceptible to illness, it does not directly cause malaria,” he said.

Mr Agboola also cautioned against indiscriminate use of anti-malaria drugs, advising individuals experiencing persistent fever, headache, body aches, or fatigue to seek medical attention.

“Rather than assuming that you have malaria and resorting to self-medication, it is advisable to go for proper diagnosis because it is essential before treatment.

“Self-medication should be discouraged, as many illnesses present symptoms similar to malaria, making laboratory confirmation important before treatment,” he said.

On occupational health, the physician expressed concern over excessive working hours and workplace fatigue.

He warned that overworked employees were more prone to errors, accidents, and various health conditions due to lack of rest.

Mr Agboola urged employers to prioritise workers’ welfare by providing conducive work environments, adequate rest periods, healthy meals or snacks where possible, and policies that promote work-life balance.

According to him, developed climes maintain strict regulations on working hours to protect employees’ health and wellbeing, urging employers in Nigeria to adopt similar practices.

“Prolonged stress and fatigue are major risk factors for several diseases and can negatively affect productivity and workplace safety.

“Workers must pay attention to their overall health and lifestyle choices and create time to rest,” he said.

He called for more awareness of occupational health issues, urging both employers and employees to work together to create healthier workplaces and communities.

(NAN)