Assessment of malaria parasitemia and genotype of patients attending two hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria parasitemia and genotype of patients attending Federal Medical Center, Makurdi and General Hospital Otupko in Benue State was assessed between the months of November, 2017 and February, 2018. A total of 400 samples were collected from consented patients through venipuncture techniques. The blood samples were processed within 3 to 6 hours of collection. Infection status and genotype were ascertained using standard techniques. Their demographic characteristics and malaria control measures were determined using questionnaires. Chi-square test was used to determine the degree of association between malaria prevalence and other factors influencing its transmission. 162 patients (40.5 %) were positive. Females had higher prevalence than males and the difference was significant (x² = 11.993, df = 1, p = 0.00, p<0.05). The age group 0 – 9 had the highest prevalence of 46.8 %. The prevalence of malaria was not found to be dependent upon age group and the difference was not significant (x²= 4.798, df = 6, p = 0.570, p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AA had the highest prevalence rate of 46.7 % followed by AS with 29.9 %, while no SS individual was infected. Prevalence between the three genotypes was significant (p = 0.001, p<0.05). The finding from the study showed that malaria prevalence depends on risk factors that promote transmission and that AS and SS individuals have a genetic advantage over AA individuals in relation to plasmodium parasitemia. Public enlightenment should be taken more seriously in both the urban and rural areas of Benue State.

Keywords: Malaria, Makurdi, Genotype, Hospital, Mosquito