The etiology of malaria scourge: A comparative study of endemic nations of Africa and Asia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative study of malaria infections in endemic areas of Asia and Africa and to proffer new strategies that will be useful in curtailing the disease. Malaria varies greatly around the world in the level of intensity, in the mosquito vectors that transmit it and in the species causing the disease. P. vivax appears to be more widespread among 20 countries in Asia while the fatal P. falciparum are widely spread in about 50 countries in Africa. A keen observation around most hospitals in Nigeria and Africa in general show that many patients are plagued by malaria as it accounts to the highest percentage of in- patient and out-patient treatment cases, compared to other diseases. Africa including parts of Asia suffers infrastructural decay and poverty occasioned by malaria burden which seems to have defiled many solutions for complete eradication. The method employed specific comparative studies along the line of geographical distribution and etiology to determine the spread, use socio-economic mobility assessment and behavioural risk factors to distinguish situation in both Asia and Africa. Also we considered commitments in local control efforts around the continents of Asia and Africa. While noting that P. vivax is more prevalent in Asia than in Africa where P.falciparium is common we conclude that an assessment of global initiative impacts are notable in more in Africa and the trend of mobility of Asians for economic reasons tend to increase their susceptibility rate to the infection. Due to comparative differences between African and Asian regions as addressed in this work, the translation of global malaria control strategy into regional and country-specific strategies will help bring a modified implementation of unique and beneficial control techniques for the disease eradication. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.