Prevalence of Malaria and Anemia among Children under 10 Years Attending Rural Hospital Doka, Kaduna State between January to December, 2020

Abstract

Purpose: The study is aimed at determining the prevalence of plasmodiasis and anemia among children under age 10 in selected rural communities that attended Rural hospital, Doka.
 Methodology: A total of 255 thick film stained slides using the Giemsa staining technique were observed using the malaria microscopy method. Haematocrit was estimated using the centrifugation method having considered the age and sex of the participants.
 Findings: A total of 204 children representing 80% of the study participants were positive for malaria parasites. Malaria prevalence was heterogeneous and no significance was observed with sex. The prevalence in this study was throughout the year and was not dependent on season. The prevalence of anemia was 59.2% among 151 participants with a value of P<0.05 which is a strong indication that malaria is a risk factor for anemia
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The prevalence of malaria and anemia was very high based on this study. Hence, there is urgent need for massive intervention of insecticide- treated mosquito nets as well as health education in their mother’s tongue so as to identify signs and symptoms of malaria and as well as taking the right measures.