Hajara Zakari*, Samuel Bawa Ijimbili, Sabina Chioma Eze, Suleiman Zakari, Celestine O Ogbu, Blessing Ogbene Andy, Naomi Ilehi Acham, Agwara Bright Chiaka, Akuki Moses and Oludare Agboola
Malaria is one of the world most prevalent and common parasitic disease in Nigeria and most developing countries, which contributes to high infants and maternal mortality. The study ascertained malaria burden among febrile patients attending a healthcare facility in Nasarawa state, Nigeria and present epidemiological data on malaria. Purposive sampling of patients with febrile conditions who sought treatment were adopted for the study and rapid diagnostic test kits specific for Plasmodium falciparum were used for malaria testing. Eight thousand seven hundred and eighty four participants (8784) were enrolled from January to December, 2022 for the study. Out of 8784 subjects examined, 5211 (59.3%) were females while 3558 (40.5%) were males, 5939 (67.6%) were positive for malaria infection and 2845 (32.4%) were negative. Out of 5939 positive patients, 2545 were males and 3394 were females. An overall prevalence rates of 67.6% were observed with higher rates among females (38.6%) than males (29.0%), among children (≤ 20: 12.1%) and young adults (≤ 40: 46.6%) with least infection rates among the elderly (41- above 61: 1.1%). Higher rate were recorded in the month of August, followed by September, October, November and December. There is significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) and association in malaria prevalence rates with gender and age categories of patients. In conclusion, the study established a relatively high prevalence rate (67.6%) of malaria and vulnerability of children, young adults and females to malaria infection within the study location.
Published Date: 2024-01-15; Received Date: 2023-12-04
