Sero-prevalenceof Plasmodium falciparum malaria in rural communities of Bassa, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo account for an estimated 40% of world malaria burden. Malaria parasite prevalence is one of the primary tools for estimating disease burden in a population.

Aim: To estimate rural sero-prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 564 children and adults; 312 (55.3%) and 252 (44.7%) from Kwall and Jengre communities respectively of Bassa Local Local Government Areas of Plateau Stateusing a multistage sampling technique between 1^st and 4^th May, 2017.Clinical evaluation, laboratory diagnosis and case management for malaria were carried out. Stata 14.1 software was used for data analysis. Results were presented in table and bar chart.

Result: One hundred and five (34.6%), 289 (51.2%), and 80 (14.2%) were aged 0 – 5, 5 – 17 and 18 – 80 years respectively. Fever was the commonest presenting complaint in 34 (6%) while 472 (83.7%) had no symptoms. P. falciparum sero-prevalence rates were 24.2%, 41.4% and 34.3% among under-five children, 6 – 17 years and 18 – 80 years respectively.

Conclusion. Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission continues to occur with high sero- prevalence in rural communities of Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State. A slight decline was however, noted. Research on innovative models such as malaria vaccines, mosquito bionomics and environmental sanitation to compliment malaria therapeutics may need be employed in our rural communities so as to achieve the global goal for malaria eradication.

Keywords: Malaria, sero-prevalence, Rapid diagnostic test, disease burden