PREVALENCE OF MALARIA INFECTION AMONG VULNERABLE GROUPS IN WUSHISHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Usman Aliyu Isah*, Makama Abdullahi Yahaya, Abubakar, I., Enoch N. Gana and Idris Mohammed

ABSTRACT

Malarial is a chronic endemic life treating parasitic disease that obstructs social and economic development of underdeveloped counties like Nigeria. It is caused by protozoan of genus plasmodium, which is transmitted by female anopheles mosquitoes and it is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality among pregnant woman and children. This study is therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria among vulnerable group of people especially pregnant woman and children in Wushishi Local Government area of Niger State, Nigeria. This was done by collecting and screening 1000 samples (500 for each group) to detect malaria using microscopic examination of blood film and in-vitro diagnostic kits. Questionnaires were also administered in order to evaluate the use of insecticides, conventional and local treatment and accessibility to hospital in the area of this study. The result of the study reveals higher rates in children of age 1-5 years in both microscopic (25.8%) and RDT (25.0%), while higher prevalence was recorded in Kwata, Maito and Akare geopolitical wards with the least prevalence in Kanwan and Kodo wards. The result from the questionnaires revealed that majority of the groups under this study uses mosquito coil as a means of mosquitoes control, 65.3% of the groups have no hospital accessibility. Thus, it could be concluded that malaria is endemic among the vulnerable groups studied and non-usage of mosquito treated net was a contributing factor. Government in such area should also provide access to hospital and health facility closer to the people in the area of study so as to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment of infected patients.

Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium, pregnant women, prevalence, hospital.