ABSTRACT
The study surveyed the prevalence of malaria as well as
management practices adpted in Ndiegoro community, Aba South L.G.A., Abia state
between May and August 2009. Blood samples of 300 individuals who attended
local hospital were examined using Giemsa stained thick and thin films, One
hundred and fifty two
(152) persons (51%) were infected with Plasmodiumfalciparum
. The age group 0-5 years ( 74.3%) had the highest prevalence, while the age
group 36-45 years ( 40.0%) recorded the lowest prevalence in the study. Males (
58.7%) were statistically more infected than females ( 43.3%) ( p < 0.05 ).
Structured questionnaire were also administered to obtain their management
practices. On the help-seeking behavior of the
respondents more persons (63.4%) in the age group 0-15
years attend laboratories for diagnosis
more often than those in the age group 16 > (36.6%). More of the respondents
resorted to patent chemist (27.6%) for treatment purposes. Visit to
hospitals for treatment
was the least
patronized (12.0%). Some of the respondents combined more than one
methods in their treatment for malaria. The use of prophylactic drugs( 6.0%)
and insecticide treated nets( 1.8%) were the least preventive measures adopted
by the respondents. This was due to the financial constaint and non-awareness
of them. Malaria still remained a public health problem in Nigeria and data on
its precise prevalence in some communities has remained unidentified.
CHAPTER 1
MALARIA
INTRODUCTION:
Malaria
is a life-threatening disease of man caused by parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which is
transmitted from person to person, through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a killer and debilitating disease and remains
a formidable health and socio-economic problem in the world (Nebeet al, 2002). Jaine and Michael (1990) described it as the leading
cause of death in the developing world. The World Health Report (2002) reported
that about 90% of all malaria deaths in the world today occur in Africa, South
of the Sahara. And that this is because majority of the infections in Africa
are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous of the
four human malaria parasites. Anopheles gambiae is the most effective
malaria vector, the most widespread in Africa and the most difficult to
control. Global estimate on morbidity and mortality resulting from malaria
shows between 300-500 million clinical cases and between 1.5-2.7 million deaths
attributed to malaria annually (Obi, 1997; Salako, 1997; WHO, 1998 and UNICEF,
2000), and an estimated one million people in Africa die from malaria each year
and most of these are children under 5 years old and women in their first
pregnancy (WHO, 2002; Sherman, 1998). NIH (2001) reported that the number of
deaths from malaria are on the increase due to insecticide resistance,
antimalarial resistance and environmental changes.
The
four important species of the parasite that cause this disease are Plasmodium falciparum.P. malariae, P ovaleand
P. vivax. Various species of the malaria parasites such as P.falciparum
and P. malariaeare reported in Nigeria (Eneanya, 1998; Matur, et al,
2001). Anopheles gambiae, An. funestus and An. arabiensis
have been implicated for malaria transmission in Nigeria with major impacts
(Umaru et al, 1997). Scientific investigations revealed many pathological
effects of malaria on man which include varying degrees of anaemia, splenic
enlargement and various syndromes resulting from physiological and pathological
involvements of certain organs like the brain, liver and the kidneys (Adams and
Macgraith, 1985). Chukwuraet al (2003) described P. falciparummalaria
as the most prevalent and virulent in
Nigeria, capable of causing mental apathy, weakness and generally slowing down
economic development; accounting for up to 98% of severe cases with significant
mortality and morbidity (WHO, 2000). Malaria has been observed to keep people
away from school or work thereby affecting;
(i)
The amount they learn at school
(ii)
The quantity of food they are able
to grow and
(iii)
The money they can earn (WHO, 1991).
Salako (1996) and Cooker et al, (2001) reported that malaria accounts
for over (600) six hundred deaths daily in Nigeria, especially in children less than five
years of age in the rural, peri-urban and urban settlements; with high index of
child mortality from the disease.
Mbanugo and Ejims (2000) also reported that malaria is
holoendemic in many countries and directly responsible for up to 10-25% of the
infant mortality. Poor knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) by our people in
handling malaria seems to compound the issue of this disease in our various
communities, particularly in AbiaState. Studies in Nsukka, Enugu state by
Briegeret al (1997) and in a coastal area of Lagos state by Nebeet al
(2002) confirmed that the perception of malaria by the inhabitants were not
helpful. Many believe that malaria is caused by such factors as excessive heat,
malnutrition, eating too much palm oil and other superstitious considerations.
This poor malaria perception stimulated the present study ‘A study to determine
the prevalence of malaria infection among members of Ndiegoro community, Aba
South L.G.A., Abia State., attending hospital and to ascertain their management
practices’. The outcome of the study is hopefully expected to disclose some
strategies for eliminating or reducing to the barest minimum this health
problem of man and enhancement of his health, generally.
1.2 AIMS
AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
aims and objectives of this study are;
To
determine the prevalence of malaria in the study area andto
document
the management practices by the people in the community.
(ii)
Specific Objectives: These
are:
* To
determine the prevalence of malaria with regards to age and sex To identify the
Plasmodium species prevalent in the study area
* To
document the help-seeking behavior of the people
* To document the preventive measures adopted by the
people To document the treatment methods by the people
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