Prevalence of Malaria Parasites in Hospitals of Portharcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This investigation was conducted between March and July, 2010 in Portharcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. The method of diagnosis utilised by the hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories was thick and thin method and malaria parasite was identified using standard criteria. In all the zones of the study, high record of malaria prevalence was reported during the study. The overall prevalence of the disease was high in both males and females, but with higher prevalence in females. Also, all age groups were exposed to the risk of the disease, with 1 – 9 years individuals having the highest risk of the infection and individuals of 60 years above had the lowest infection. Statistical analyses in all the zones of the study showed that the prevalence of the disease was statistically significant in both sexes and age groups (p > 0.05). This suggested that malaria parasite is still a major public health problem in the study area. Indeed, one would recommend a more pragmatic approach by the government aimed at reducing the menace of the disease. In addition, the current effort by the World Bank at eliminating the disease in Nigeria should be properly applied in order to achieve the desired result, else, the menace of the disease will still threaten the life of humanity population.

Keywords: Prevalence, Parasite, Metropolis, Malaria, Anopheles

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 215-219