Hospital based study of malaria parasites in Awka Metropolis, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

A hospital based study of malaria parasite was carried out in three hospitals namely: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Eldorado Multi-Specialist Hospital and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Center in Awka Metropolis in Anambra State, Nigeria between the months of June and July 2021. 144 patients were examined to detect the presence of malaria parasite using field stain and RDT methods. The result from the study showed a total of 60.42 % prevalence of malaria parasite from the studied locations. The female had the highest prevalence of 67.47 % and 21 – 30 years aged patients recorded the highest prevalence of 72.41 %. Malaria intensity among patients showed that 60.92 % had mild infection while 36.78 % had moderate and 1.15 % had heavy infection although it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Prevalence in relation to hospitals showed that Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Centre had the highest infection rate of 68.75 % while Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital had the least prevalence of 53.66 %. Malaria prevalence at 60.42 % among patients attending hospitals in Awka Metropolis was alarming especially when compared with World Health Organization pre-elimination phase prevalence of 5.00 %. Following the high prevalence of malaria infection, more effort is needed in the control of malaria through public enlightenment, prompt diagnosis, and use of insecticides treated bed nets and repellants towards achieving malaria elimination in Awka Metropolis, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.