ASYMPTOMATIC MALARIA INFECTION AND ANAEMIA AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN IPOGUN, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Malaria is a global problem and one of the five major childhood killers in tropical Africa, causing the death of one in every 20 of the under-five years old in the region. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among school children in Ipogun, Ondo State. A total of 109 students were recruited for this study and consisted of 52 males and 57 females with their age ranging from 10 to 19 years. Five milliliter of venous blood specimen was obtained from participants. Malaria diagnosis and haemoglobin estimation were carried out using standard techniques. A total of 55 (50.5%) out 109 students were infected with malaria parasite in this study. Gender (P=0.1022), age (P=0.0.0942), occupation of student parents (P=.03304) and body weight index (P=0.4788) did not significantly affect the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria. Asymptomatic malaria was a risk factor for anaemia among the students (OR=5.172; 95%CI=1.765, 15.158; P=0.0031). Measures to reduce the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria are advocated.