Clinical features of malaria parasiteamia among children in parts of the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasitamiae and its clinical features in children aged 0-5 years in parts of Delta State of Nigeria. Blood samples were randomly collected
from the thumb of each child using the finger prick method. A total of 600 blood samples (360 males and 240 females) were examined using the thick and thin smear method. The children were also examined clinically for related signs and symptoms. The result showed that a total of 485 (81.0%) children were positive and only Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae were found among the positive cases. Plasmodium falciparum was significantly higher than Plasmodium malariae (P<0.05).
Although males were more infected (82%) than females (79%) the difference was not statistical significant (P>0.05). The least prevalence of 55.6% was observed in 0-6 months age group. Common signs and symptoms observed among children include fever, cough, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Fever was the highest sign. The public health implications of these findings and the need to promote environmental sanitation are highlighted.