MALARIA INFECTION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC CLINIC IN NASARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease caused by a Plasmodium species. The burden of malaria is greatest among the developing countries with only 0.2% of global malaria deaths found in the developed countries. This study determined the status of malaria parasite infection and associated risk factors among patients attending the Clinic of Federal Polytechnic in Nasarawa Local Government of Nasarawa State. Thin and thick blood films were examined microscopically using x100 objectives. A total of 400 consenting patients consisting of 180 male and 220 female were enrolled and the overall prevalence was 48.7% (195/100). The study revealed that malaria parasite infection was more prevalent in female (51.3.0%) than in their male counterparts (48.7%). The ages of 11-20 years had the highest prevalence 24.1% (47/85) of the infection when compared with the other age groups < 5 (21.5%), 5-10 (16.9%), 21-30 (17.9%) and 31-40 years (19.4%) prevalence rate. Based on their occupation, Farmers had the highest prevalence rate (24.6%), others (housewives and unemployed patients) had 23.5% then traders (21.5%), students had 16. 4%, civil servants were the least infected occupational group (13.8%). Based on the risk factors, patients who sleep under the mosquito treated nets were less infected (46.6%) than those who did not (53.3%). Those who use insecticide spray (17.5%) were less infected than those did not (82.4%). Patients who cover their body were less infected (38.9%) than those who did not (62.0%). The uneducated patients were more infected (78.4%) than the educated ones (21.6%), Overall, there was a significant difference between the socio-demographic and risk factors (p<0.05). There is need for vector control and strengthening healthcare infrastructure and increasing community awareness about malaria prevention which are crucial steps to reduce the burden of the study in the area.