Malaria infection among prison inmates of the maximum security prison Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria still remains a disease of major public health concern in Nigeria especially among the neglected population such as the prison environment. This study investigated malaria prevalence among the inmates of the maximum security prison in Port Harcourt using standard parasitological technique. Both thick and thin blood films were prepared, air dried, stained with 3% Giemsa stain at pH 7.0 for 30 minutes and examined microscopically using oil immersion objective. Out of the total of 290 inmates examined, 160(55.2%) cases representing overall malaria prevalence defined by positive malaria slide were observed. Of the 290 inmates, 235 were male and 55 were female, out of which 135(57.5%) males and 25(45.5%) females were infected. The sex related prevalence does not show any statistical significance (p>0.05). Prevalence in relation to age was higher (83.3%) among age 66-70 followed by those in the age range <20(72.7%) and the lowest was 0% within the age range of 61-65. There was significant infection level among those within the age range 41-60 and 66-70 (p<0.05). Infection rate by prison unit showed that inmates awaiting trial had higher infection rate (59.5%) followed by those with specific jail term and the lowest was those condemned (45.8%). The infection rate by prison unit is not statistically significant (x² =2.068, df =3, p=0.558).

Keywords: Malaria; prevalence; prison inmates; Port Harcourt; Rivers State.