Seroprevalence of Paediatric Malaria Infections in Two Hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A study of Seroprevalence of malaria infections in Wudil and Gaya General Hospitals, Kano State, Nigeria was conducted between April and July 2013. Blood smears were obtained from 229 children (102 from Wudil General Hospital and 127 from Gaya General Hospital) who comprised of 62 males and 40 females; and 79 males and 48 females from Wudil and Gaya General Hospitals respectively. These were screened for the presence of malaria parasites using thick and thin Giemsa stained blood films method as well as test kits procedure specific for P. falciparum. Results obtained showed that children aged 1-3 years had the highest (85.4% and 46.6%) prevalence of malaria infections than other age groups at both hospitals respectively). The difference in prevalence of malaria infections with regards to age groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Males seem to be mostly infected (85.5% and 33.9%) with plasmodium parasite than their female counterpart (60.0% and 20.8%) at both hospitals respectively; and these were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05).

Wudil General Hospital, Kano had the highest (75.5%) prevalence rate of paediatric malaria than Gaya General Hospital, Kano (41.7%). P. falciparum was found to be significantly predominant among the species recorded (P<0.05). The study revealed that malaria is a major public health problem among the children aged 1-10 years in both villages. Hence, complete mobilization and health education in order to reduce man-vector contact as well as reduce frequent self medication and prophylaxis is advocated among others in the study areas.