Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Asymptomatic Primary School Children in Angiama Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Study of prevalence of malaria parasite among asymptomatic primary school children was carried out in Angiama community, Southern Ijaw local Government Area, Bayelsa state, Nigeria using the blood film staining method. A total of 300 samples were collected, stained with both Field stains A&B and Giemsa stains and examined microscopically. Out of the 300 samples, 190 (63.3%) were found to be positive with malaria parasite at varying degrees of parasiteamia. Sex related infection showed that more males (56.8%) were infected than females (43.2%), Age related infection showed that children within the ages of 4-6years were more infected (41.1%) than children in other age range (7-9years 36.3% and 10-12years 22.6%). Plasmodium falciparium species was found to be the cause of malaria in Angiama. Despite all the efforts to curb malaria infections, the prevalence rate in Angiama community remains very high and therefore necessitates a closer monitoring of the implementation of the policies targeted at malaria elimination.