Malaria Diagnosis And Treatment Practices By Patent And Proprietary Medicine Vendors In Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State in North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria with about 50% of the population having at least an episode of clinical malaria each year. Patent medicine vendors are the first and most common source of malaria treatment in Nigeria. This study assessed malaria diagnosis and treatment practices by Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi L.G.A., Bauchi State, Nigeria.

This study was a cross sectional analytical study involving PPMVs in Bauchi metropolis. A total of 396 PPMVs were recruited into the study. The data was collected using 40 items questionnaire and were analyzed with frequencies, percentages and chi-square. The hypotheses postulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 16.0.

Respondents consisted of 253 (63.9%) health professionals (HPs) and 143 (36.15) non professionals (NHPs). About two third of the respondents; 99 (69.2%) among HPs and NHPs 88(61.3%) have good knowledge about malaria transmission. Only few respondents used Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in identifying malaria; 12 (8.7%) among NHPs and 22 (12.6%) among HPs. The difference is not statistically significant (P-value 0.217). Moreover, 121 (47.8%) and 48 (33.6%) for both NHPs and HPs respectively reported lack of skills as the reason for not using RDT. Majority of the respondents are still dispensing Chloroquine (CQ) for malaria with 68.4% and 69.2% among NHPs and HPs respectively.

The used of RDT by the respondent is poor. There is need to train PPMVs on current national policy onmalaria, especially malaria identification using RDT kits and used of Artemisinin –based Combination Therapy (ACT) in treatment of malaria. The RDT kits should also be made available.

Keywords: Malaria, Diagnosis, RDT, Patent Medicine Vendors, Bauchi metropolis.