Malaria parasitaemia among residents of Emohua Local Government Area and Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is responsible for significant cases of morbidity and mortality among children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The study investigated the prevalence of malaria among residents of Emohua Local Government Area and Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Four hundred randomly selected study participants were examined by oil immersion microscopy, using thick (stained with Field’s stains A and B) and thin (stained with 3% Giemsa) blood films. Data collected was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and chi- square test at 5% significance level. Plasmodium falciparum was the only species found in both study populations. An overall study of 44.3% was observed for malaria parasitaemia; Emohua and Port Harcourt had prevalence of 53% and 35.5% respectively (p<0.05). the overall malaria in relation to sex was 44.2% and 44.3% in females and males respectively (p>0.05); Emohua had prevalence of 55% and 50% for females and males respectively while Port Harcourt had 30.5% and 40% for females and males respectively (p<0.05). study participants in age group 10-12 years had the highest prevalence of 58%; Emohua and Port Harcourt had the highest prevalence in age groups 10-12 years (78.3%) and 16-18 years (50%) respectively (p<0.05). The study shows that malaria is still a significant public health problem in Emohua and Port Harcourt metropolis, there is need for sustained public awareness and effective control measures.

Keywords: Malaria; parasitaemia; Emohua; Port Harcourt; Rivers State