Comparative Analysis of Malaria Diagnosis Using Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in Ijebu-Igbo North Local Government, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in Africa. To combat malaria, it is essential to adopt strategies such as quick diagnosis of the parasite, maintaining proper environmental hygiene, and using other control methods. Malaria diagnosis is typically performed using Microscopy, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT), and Molecular Techniques. This study compares the effectiveness of Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Testing in diagnosing malaria infections in patients at the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria, a malaria-endemic region, using 150 study participants. Blood samples were collected from participants exhibiting malaria symptoms in ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) containers. The samples were screened using both microscopy and RDT methods. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19, with Pearson's Chi-Square Test at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results indicated that the prevalence of malaria diagnosed through microscopy was 120 (80%), significantly higher than the 54 (36%) diagnosed by RDT. These findings confirm that microscopy remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis due to its high sensitivity, even at low parasite counts. However, RDT demonstrated a specificity of 93.3% and sensitivity of 92.2%, making it effective when the parasite load is high. While microscopic analysis showed a higher sensitivity of 100%, RDT remains a useful tool for rapid diagnosis, enabling timely intervention and reducing the risks associated with delayed diagnosis.