Abstract
A study on the prevalence, intensity and some vector dynamics of malaria was carried out in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State using standard parasitological and entomological techniques for rapid assessment of malaria infection, level of parasitaemia and morphological features of mosquitoes. The results showed an overall malaria RDT prevalence of 20% and community based prevalence of 13 (16.0%) and 22(24%) for Odekpe and Ogbakuba respectively. In Odekpe, the age range (1-7 years) had the highest prevalence while in Ogbakuba the highest prevalence was the age range 7-14 years. Overall, males had lower malaria prevalence (14.0%) than females (21.0%). The intensity of malaria infection from each of the communities revealed that both high (>2000 - 250000parasites/µl) and medium (>500-2000 parasites/µl) parasitaemia was more in Ogbakuba community. Two hundred and thirty (230) mosquitoes were collected. One hundred and four (45%) of the total mosquito population in the study were found to be unfed with blood meal, whereas 86(37%) and 40(17%) were freshly and previously fed respectively. One hundred and forty two (61.7%) of the mosquitoes appeared gravid against 88(38%) that were non-gravid. The mosquitoes encountered were Anopheles gambiae 76(33.04%), Anopheles funestus 86(37.39%), and Culex specie 68(29.56%). Malaria transmission and possibility of an ongoing transmission of other mosquito-borne diseases among residents in the study area should necessitate design for further studies that would explore the interactions of mosquito species and the diseases they transmit in co- endemic communities as well as effective methods for their control.
Highlights
Malaria infection is largely distributed throughout warmer regions of the world, especially in the tropics where the vectors of malaria are found in large numbers
Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) recorded a malaria prevalence of 20.10% (35) out of the 174 subjects tested
Eighty-three (30.3%) individuals were tested in Odekpe community and 13(23%) were positive, giving 16% local malaria prevalence (Table 1)
Summary
Malaria infection is largely distributed throughout warmer regions of the world, especially in the tropics where the vectors of malaria are found in large numbers. Farming activities which take place mostly during the rainy season of the year favour the breeding of mosquitoes and this makes the effects of malaria apparently noticeable in rural areas due to their proximity to farmlands [1]. In rural areas of Africa such as Anambra State Nigeria, malaria infection is quite endemic and younger children are most susceptible due to low immunity and poor hygiene. In Nigeria, malaria is holoendemic and it is one of the reasons for high mortality rates in children [2]. Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in the world with Nigeria accounting for the greatest number of cases and deaths among all the countries in the world [3], United States Embassy in Nigeria, 2016. Nigeria malaria fact Sheet (Online) Available at:
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