Investigation on Malaria Parasitaemia, Knowledge and Attitudes towards Mosquito Control among Residents of Wukari Metropolis

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate malaria parasitaemia, knowledge and attitudes towards mosquito control. 162 subjects were selected at random from different locations in Wukari Metropolis and were examined for malaria parasitaemia. Blood samples from each of the subjects were collected by finger pricking for the determination of malaria parasite using the Rapid Diagnostic Test method. Out of 162 samples examined, the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was 91(56.17%). Female subjects had the highest prevalence of malaria parasitaemia of (72.0%), while the male had (35.0%) and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between the rate of infection and gender. Age group ≥20 years recorded the highest infection rate of (62.12%), age group 14-16 years had the lowest infection rate of (48.94%), and there was no significant difference p>0.05 between malaria prevalence and age groups. The hospital location had the highest prevalence of malaria parasitaemia at (64.44%) and (31.89%) within malaria, while the Fuwukari location had the least prevalence of malaria parasitaemia of (47.22%) and (18.68%) within malaria. The test on knowledge and awareness of malaria indicates that (31.48%) of the subjects have erroneous perception about the cause and means through which malaria is transmitted. It can be concluded that despite the high infectivity rate of malaria in the study area there is much knowledge and awareness of malaria in the study. There is a need for a comprehensive strategy for preventing malaria transmission such as effective use of insecticide-treated nets, public awareness campaigns, proper environmental sanitation and use of drugs.