The Etiology of Febrile Illnesses among Febrile Patients Attending Felegeselam Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The causes of acute febrile illness remain undifferentiated in many parts of the world and their burden is still challenging particularly in resource poor countries. The problem is significance especially in malaria endemic areas of tropical and sub-tropical regions. A cross sectional study was conducted during December 2011 in Northwest Ethiopia to determine the etiological agents of febrile illnesses among 398 acute febrile patients. Vein blood was collected to determine the etiological agents of febrile illnesses. The analysis of generated data revealed that the prevalence of malaria, typhoid, typhus and relapsing fever were 51.5%, 10.3%, 5% and 0%, respectively. Malaria prevalence found to be the highest among other febrile illnesses followed by typhoid and typhus. Of the malaria infections Plasmodium falciparum prevalence accounts the highest 49.75% followed by Plasmodium vivax 1.75% (n= 398). Awareness of the community about the sign and symptom of febrile illnesses were less. In addition, Proper bed net utilization was lower in rural than urban. Therefore, it is important to perform parasitological examination and serological tests simultaneously to encourage proper diagnosis and treatment of acute febrile cases especially in malaria endemic areas.