MALARIA PARASITIC INFECTION IN PATIENTS ATTENDING GENERAL HOSPITAL KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, remains a critical public health issue, especially in Nigeria, which accounts for a significant portion of global malaria cases and deaths. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infections among patients attending General Hospital Keffi in Nasarawa State Nigeria, using Giemsa stained microscopy. A total of 400 patients suspected of malaria were enrolled, with demographic data collected alongside blood samples for analysis. The overall prevalence of malaria parasites infection among the participants was found to be 20.7%. Thick blood films revealed that 83 out of 400 samples tested positive for malaria. Based on their age group, patients from 5 to 10 years old had the highest prevalence rate of 28.9%, closely followed by those aged 11 to 20 year olds (27.7%), then age group less than 5 years old, 21-30 and 31 and above had the same prevalence rate of 14.4%. The gender distribution of infection showed a slight male predominance, with 59.0% of participants being males and 40.9% of infections being females. The occupational analysis of malaria infection revealed that 34.9% of the participants were farmers while 21.6% of infections were civil servants followed by traders (18.7%), others includes the unemployed and housewives having the prevalence rate of 13.2%, the least infected were the students (12.0%). Based the patients’ use of ITNs, a prevalence rate of 34.9% was observed in those who use the ITNs and 65.0% was observed in patients who do not use the ITNs. Patients who practice the act of indoor residual spraying had the prevalence rate 40.9% while 59.0% was observed in patients who do not. Patients who are educated had the prevalence of 28.9% and the uneducated ones had 71.1%. A significant correlation was found among the risk factors of malaria in the study area (p < 0.05). Plasmodium falciparum was the most prevalent species, (61.4%) followed by Plasmodium malariae (27.7%) and Plasmodium ovale (10.8%). The results underscore the urgent need for improved malaria control strategies, including enhanced community education on preventive measures, increased accessibility to ITNs, and environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Addressing these factors is essential for mitigating the burden of malaria in Nasarawa State and similar endemic regions in Nigeria.