Prevalence of Malaria in Apparently Healthy Healthcare Workers in Dass Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria is among the world’s life-threatening protozoan diseases, especially in the tropics with increasing morbidity and mortality at an unprecedented high level. Healthcare workers (HCWs) in the tropics are increasingly affected despite the availability of effective preventive interventions. The study determines the prevalence of malarial parasitaemia in apparently healthy HCWs in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Methods: A schedule was used to collect information from 223 HCWs using a cross-sectional study design. The respondents were selected through multistage sampling. Blood sample from each participant was collected for malaria diagnosis using both Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test (P. falciparum histidine-rich protein-2, HRP-2 mRDT). Results: The prevalence of malaria was 55.2 % using Microscopy (HRP-2 mRDT- 40.4 %). The RDT kit has a sensitivity of 66.7 %, specificity of 92.0 %, positive predictive value (PPV) of 91.1 % and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 69.2 %. The majority of the positive cases (91.9 %) had low parasitaemia (< 1,000 parasites per µL of blood ) and 8.1 % had moderate parasitaemia (1,000 - 9,999 parasites per µL of blood). A significant association (χ² = 78. 868, df = 1, p < 0.001, phi = 0.595) exists between RDT and Microscopy with a large effect size. No significant association between asymptomatic parasitaemia and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) utilization (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of asymptomatic malarial parasitaemia was high despite the use of ITNs suggesting workplace hazard-related exposure. In addition to ITNs use, proper environmental sanitation (ensuring proper drainage systems), use of long-sleeved stockings, mosquito repellents and mosquito sprays should be encouraged in health facilities.