ABSTRACT
Malaria is one of the
world cause of morbidity and mortality rate especially in children. The
research was conducted in Ehime Mbano L.G.A of Imo State, with the objective of
evaluating prevalence of malaria among children between 0 – 12 years old,
gender related issues and malaria infection among age group. Rapid Diagnostic
Device (RDTs) was used in the selected primary schools to identify the
prevalence of malaria among children. The highest infection prevalence of 40%
was recorded in Offor and St. Charles primary schools where out of 30 pupils
examined 12 of them were positive respectively. The least infection prevalence
was observed in St. John primary school with the infection prevalence of 32%.
The result according to gender when considered showed that males had highest
infection prevalence of 38.2% and females had the least infection prevalence of
34.54%. In age groups, 12 years and above had the highest infection prevalence
of 57.14% while the least infection was observed in age group 8 – 9 years with
infection prevalence of 28.57%. Significant result (P < 0.05).
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Malaria
is an acute and chronic disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan
of the genus plasmodium (Eneanta, 1996). Malaria has also been one of the
world’s worst killer diseases throughout recorded human history. Despite
attempt to eradicate it, it remains one of the worst disease in terms of death
annually. Malaria parasite was discovered in 1886 by Laveran a military
physician working in Constantine Algeria (Ksogstad, 1996). Malaria is a serious
notificable infectious illness characterized by periodic chills, fever,
sweating and sptemomeguly. It has serious and often fatal complications
especially Falciparom malaria. It is intermittent and remittent fever caused by
a protozoa parasite that incades the red blood cells. Malaria is a preventable
and treatable disease of public health. Malaria is by far the most important
insect transmitting disease (Curtis, 1991). Approximately 5% of the words
population is infected. Malaria remains one of the major threats to public
health and economic development in Africa. It is estimated that three million
death results from malaria throughout the world, with Africa having more than
90% of this burden (Breman, et al 2004). Malaria is the cause of outpatient,
inpatient and admissions of children less than five years of age at health
facilities.it is a mosqtuie borne infection diseases of human and other
animals. It is transmitted in large areas of Africa, South America, Middle
East, and Eastern Europe. Symptoms of malaria are characterized by cyclic
occurrence of chills, fever and profuse sweating. This occur when the merozoite
destroys the red blood cells causing toxin to be released into the blood. It is
made up of types depending on the plasmodium involved. It includes tertian
malaria caused by plasmodium vivax, fever caused by plasmodium falcipanm. The
life cycle of malaria parasite involves the cycle in the blood of man and cycle
in mosquito (Obueh, 2003)
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Malaria
has become very common and is increasing in an uncontrolled way throughout
Nigeria and world as whole, due to the bite of the female anopheles mosquito
which carries the plasmodium. In an attempt to eradicate this deadly disease, a
massive response need to be mounted by the government to enlighten the public
about the prevalence of malaria. This calls for research support hence the need
for this work.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
objective of this study is to determine prevalence of malaria among children
from 0 to 12 years old in Umuezeala Owerri Ehime Mbano Local Government Area
Imo State.
The
specific objectives of this study includes;
1.
The overall prevalence of malaria in the
selected schools St. Charles, Offor primary school and St. John primary school
Umunumu Ehime Mbano L.G.A
2.
To determine the prevalence of malaria
among children from 0 to 12 years old in Umunumu Ehime Mbano Local Government
Area Imo State.
3.
To identify Malaria infection by Age
Groups in the selected primary schools.
1.4
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This
research work is very relevant in several ways to communities, personnel,
individual, and government. The work will expose the prevalence of malaria and
enlighten the community on the effects of malaria among children
The
study will encourage the government of Imo State to swing into actions by
creating various measures to prevent further outbreaks of malaria.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This
research work concentrated on evaluation of peripheral malaria among children
in selected primary school (using Ehime Mbano as a case study) to know the
cause of malaria outbreak.
1.6 JUSTIFICATION
OF THE STUDY
Information
on malaria at Local level is scanty and the effect of the disease on the
population are not well documented for which reason. This study has been
designed to provide baseline pre-control data required for planning. Plasmodium
falciparum is most virtual in the topic and resistant to various anti-malaria.