Status of falciparum malaria and associated knowledge amongst febrile patients attending Cottage Hospital Ogidioloje, Ilorin, North central Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is one of the major public health challenges in many tropical developing countries including Nigeria. Thus, comprehensive epidemiological information on transmission and distribution of the infection in different localities is a key factor to develop control strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and assess biomedical knowledge and practice about malaria transmission, prevention and control measures among febrile patients attending Cottage Hospital Ogidi-Oloje, Ilorin between January and July, 2018. Structured and pre-tested questionnaires (n = 380) and blood films examinations were used for data collection. All the data were entered and analysed using SPSS 20.0. The overall falciparum malaria prevalence was 45.8 %. Malaria parasite infection resulted in signs and symptoms such as fever (33.7 %) headache (31.3 %), Shivering (14.2 %), body/joint pains (8.7 %) and others (0.3 %). On the average, 76.1 % of the subjects had knowledge and awareness about malaria parasite infections. The prevalence of malaria parasite infection were significantly associated (p<0.05) with health education, knowledge about malaria, educational status, and nature of house whereas sex, family size, distance from health facility, access to media were not. Proper health education is advocated with a special emphasis on the correct use of insecticide treated nets, adoption of integrated vector control and seeking early treatment.

Keywords: Falciparum malaria, Prevalence, Biomedical data, Associated knowledge, Ogidi-Oloje, Nigeria