Epidemiology of falciparum malaria among residents of some rural and periurban communities in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria which is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium is a devastating parasitic disease of major public health challenge worldwide, particularly Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of falciparum malaria among residents of rural and peri-urban communities in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. Standard parasitological technique of microscopy was employed to determine and identify parasite prevalence and species. A questionnaire was used to collect subject’s information such as age, sex, location, occupati on and educati on. Out of the 300 i ndi vi dual s exami ned, a total of 283 (93.4%) i ndi vi dual s were i nfected wi th mal ari a parasi te. Sex pattern of i nfecti on i ndi cated that male had higher malaria prevalence of 95.0% compared to female with the prevalence of 93.3% (P>0.05). The age group 51 to 60 years had the highest malaria parasite prevalence of 100% while age group <10 years has the least malaria parasite prevalence of 86.0% (P>0.05). Similarly, a total mean malaria parasite density of 1455.90 parasite/μL of blood was recorded. The mean mal ari a parasi te densi ty does not si gni fi cantl y vary (P>0.05) among age and sex group. The age group >60 years recorded the highest mean parasite density of 2092.50 parasite/μL of blood while age group <10 has the least mean malaria parasite density of 1044. 42 parasite/μL of blood. In relation to sex, the highest mean malaria parasite density was found among the female (1461.80 parasite/μL of blood) compared to male (1450 parasite/ μL of blood). In the same vein, occupation as a socioeconomic risk factor play a major role with respect to malaria infection. The highest malaria prevalence of 113 (98.26%) was recorded among farmers while the least 34 (85%) was recorded among Civil servants (P<0.05). Thus, it i s apparent that fal ci parum mal ari a i s heavi l y preval ent i n thi s study area and as such urgent management control measures and i nterventi ons shoul d be made avai l abl e and fully utilized.