Pattern of malaria parasitaemia in a high transmission setting of Oba-Ile, Akure North, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease of major public health importance worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the malaria parasitaemia in a high transmission setting of Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area (LGA), Ondo State, Nigeria. Thick and thin blood smeared slides were prepared and examined under the light microscope. Out of 210 individuals examined, 148(70.50 %) were positive for malaria infection. The infection pattern among age groups revealed that the highest (84.61 %) and the lowest (66.67 %) infection rate were observed among age group 6 – 10 years and 5 years and below respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) occurred between age-related malaria infection. Additionally, male had the highest (75.89 %) prevalence of infection compared to their female counterpart (64.28 %) though significant difference (p>0.05) did not occur. Parasite densities vary significantly (p<0.05) across age group and sex. The highest (4428 parasite/µl of blood) and lowest (824 parasite/µl of blood) parasite density was recorded among age group ≥ 21 years and ≤ 5 years respectively. Similarly, male significantly (p<0.05) had the highest parasite density (6484 parasite/µl  of blood) compared to their female counterpart (4316 parasite/µl of blood). Furthermore, prevalence of malaria infection varied significantly (p<0.05) with respect to occupation and income. This study revealed that malaria is prevalent in Oba-Ile. Thus, appropriate intervention programme should be designed to curtail the disease.

Keyword: Malaria, Parasite density, Parasitaemia, Plasmodium  falciparum, Oba-Ile, Nigeria