What co-morbidities do people with malaria have and what are their patterns of health seeking in Nigeria?

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the comorbidities associated with malaria and patterns of health seeking in southeast Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The survey was undertaken in Enugu state, Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 500 householders, 200 in-patient and outpatient exit surveys and data abstraction from 125 inpatient and outpatient records.
Results: A total of 307 (64.2%) households had an episode of malaria within 1 month of the interview. The most common malaria comorbidities were upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhea. Most patients first sought treatment from patent medicine vendors. The average monthly cost of treating the comorbidities was 270 Naira (1.75 USD) and 601 Naira (3.89 USD) for outpatient department and inpatient department respectively.
Conclusion: The economic burden of malaria is compounded by  comorbidities and inappropriate health seeking behavior. Interventions to control malaria are required to also control common comorbidities.

Key words: Co.morbidity, costs, health.seeking pattern, malaria