Epidemiological review of malaria with reference to causality analysis, treatment monitoring and outcome

Abstract

Primary objective of the study was to assess causality analysis by patient profile, clinical and laboratory assessment. Secondary objective was to assess the Treatment patterns, clinical outcome, and outcome determinants leading to mortality. 150 Patients, diagnosed as malaria and admitted in medicine ward at Tertiary Care Center were enrolled over a period of 8 months after written informed consent. Their demographics as age, sex, and habitat and blood Investigations, especially parasite index (PI), gametocyte study, hemoglobin, platelet count were noted. Treatment of patients and their progress and outcome was noted .Descriptive statistics was used for analysis. Out of 150 patients 127 (85 %) were males and 23 (15 %) were females. Young age and lower socio-economic class was more affected. 88 % patients showed typical symptoms. Artesunate (88 %) was most commonly used followed by Chloroquine (12 %). Cure rate was 93 %. Majority (73 %) patients had parasitic index up to 3 %. 40 (26.68 %) patients showed parasitic index between 4 - 14 %. 93 Patients (62 %) had platelet count up to one lakh. P. Vivax infection (64 %) was most common followed by P. Falciparum (29 %) and mixed infection (7 %). Young age, lower income group, and mobility are risk factor for malaria. Low Hb, thrombocytopenia, high parasite index, old age, co morbid conditions are poor prognostic factors.