Prevalence of malaria infection among persons seeking treatment from private drug retailers in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is a fatal insect-borne tropical disease that continues to pose public health challenges in Nigeria. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of malaria infection among persons seeking treatment from private sector drug outlets and Proprietary and Patent Medicine Vendors (PVMs). Rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy were carried out to examine the blood samples collected from the study subjects. A total of 1,300 subjects of varying ages that came to seek for malaria treatment were randomly selected for the study after their free consent had been obtained. Finger prick and venous methods were used to collect blood for the rapid diagnostic test and microscopy. The results of this study revealed that of the total of 700 blood samples analyzed for Males, 402 (57.43%) were positive for microscopy and 396 (56.57%) were positive for RDT. While for females, the result showed that of the 600 blood samples screened, 304 (50.67%) were positive for microscopy and 288 (48.0%) were positive for RDT. In respect to age, for microscopy, the age group 15 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of 155 (86.11%) followed by 25 to 34 years with 150 (51.72%), while the least prevalence of 122 (42.36%) occurred within the 55 to 64 age group. For RDT, the age group 15 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of 161 (84.74%) followed by 25 to 34 years with 153 (54.64%), while least prevalence of 108 (38.30%) occurred within the 55 to 64 age group. Statistical analysis indicated that there is a significant difference in infection rate among the age group at p<0.05. The findings of this study further portray the need for confirmatory tests of suspected malaria cases before treatment.