Assessment of Malaria Parasitaemia among the Residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria intensity in both Urban and Rural areas of Nigeria is of Public Health importance. This study was conducted to assess the malaria parasitaemia among the residence of Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT, in order  to provide epidemiological data on malaria in the council for effective management program. A total of 200 residence within the range of 2-50 years were sampled for malaria parasitaemia using thick and thin film smears. A capillary blood  sample was collected from each of the residence using finger prick technique, thick and thin blood films were prepared,  stained, dried and examined for malaria parasites. The data was analyzed using simple percentages and chi-square analytical methods. The result from the study revealed an overall prevalence of 54.0% while the proportion of the residence infected were highest within the 2-10 years age-group (76.9%, P = 0.003, X² = 8.42) followed by those in 11-20 years  (65.0%) and 21-30 years (50.0%). Those in 31-40 years and 41-50 years (29-7% and 21.4%) had lowest. The highest  density recorded was >10,000 parasites/ul across the positives as 2-10 years (P = 0.003, X² = 2.22) has the highest. Malaria parasitaemia was highest among the vulnerable group 2-10 years (P = 0.003, X² = 2.22) in the council and remain endemic. There is an urgent need to identify innovative and integrated control measures to reduce the scurge among them. Public Health education campaign against malaria infection and its agent (mosquito) should be intensified in the Council.