Prevalence and Outcome of Malaria amongst Underfive Children seen at Comprehensive Health Centre, Gindiri

Abstract

Background: In Africa, malaria accounts for about 20% of mortality in under fives. Severe falciparum malaria generally has poor prognosis with a 10-30% case fatality rate. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of malaria morbidity and mortality among the under-fives in a rural area of north central Nigeria.
Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in the comprehensive Health Centre Gindiri where information on the socio-demographic characteristics, the presenting complaints, the diagnosis of malaria and the outcome of the disease was collected on under-fives that were admitted in the centre from December 2009 to December 2010 inclusive.
Result: A total of 106 children were studied, the mean age was 39.6±5.26 months with a male to female ratio of 3:2. The predominant tribe was Pyem and 66% of the children were of Islamic religion. Out of the 106 under-fives that were admitted, 64(60.4%) of the children presented with fever and were treated for malaria, out of which 41(64.1%) had severe Malaria while 23(35.9%) had simple Malaria. Malaria parasite was more in those with severe malaria compare to those with simple malaria (OR=3.69, 95% CI=0.23-114.52). Fatality was recorded only among those who presented with severe malaria. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 14.6% while all those who presented with simple malaria recovered. CFR was highest among those <1yr who presented with severe malaria with a mortality rate of 17.4%.
Conclusion: Malaria is still the commonest cause of morbidity and mortality amongst underfives especially in children less than one year in north central Nigeria.