Malaria Parasite And It’s Effect To Human Health

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malaria parasites and their impact on human health among residents of Aguowa community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Indoor adult mosquitoes were collected using the Pyrethrum Knockdown Collection (PKC) method, while larvae were sampled from breeding sites. Venous blood samples were obtained via thumb prick to identify malaria parasites, measure haemoglobin levels, and determine Packed Cell Volume (PCV). A total of 273 out of 945 pupils from the community’s sole primary school participated in the study.

Mosquito larvae from three species were identified: Aedes aegypti (9.3%), Aedes albopictus (13.2%), and Culex quinquefasciatus (77.5%). Indoor sampling yielded Anopheles gambiae (1.1%), Aedes aegypti (4.6%), and Culex quinquefasciatus (94.5%). The prevalence of malaria parasites among the participants was recorded as follows: Plasmodium falciparum (50.6%), P. ovale (41.2%), and P. malariae (1.5%). The overall prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in the community was 87.2%, with males showing a prevalence of 93.7% and females 82.7%. Prevalence rates among different age groups were: 4-6 years (88.7%), 7-9 years (93.3%), 10-12 years (89.6%), and 13-16 years (60.0%). The mean haemoglobin level was 10.2g/dl, and the PCV was 31.0%, both below normal ranges.

With an 87.2% prevalence rate, malaria appears to be a significant public health concern in Aguowa. Efforts should be intensified to reduce malaria vectors and control the parasite within the community.