A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF ASYMPTOMATIC MALARIA PARASITEMIA IN IFE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study aimed at establishing community prevalence of
asymptomatic malaria parasitemia in Ife North Local Government Area
of Osun State, South-Western, Nigeria.
One hundred and sixty-seven (167) healthy volunteers and forty
(40) clinically diagnosed and laboratory proven malaria cases (purposeful
controls) were recruited into the study. The age range of subjects was
between 5 and 55yrs. Of the 167 healthy volunteers, five tested positive
and developed malaria within the period of twenty-one (21) days follow
up and were excluded from the study, while two (2) defaulted. Out of the
remaining 160, a total of 38 (23.8%) of the subjects were found to have
asymptomatic malaria parasitemia by microscopic technique, while 35
(21.9%) tested positive by Rapid OptiMAL-IT method. Plasmodium
falciparum was the only species among the positive cases. Prevalence
rates for malaria parasitemia were highest among the youngest age groups
(10-15yrs) and lowest in those 40yrs of age and older.
It can be inferred from the above findings that there is need for
prophylactic antimalaria for the communities in the local government and
aggressive treatment of the symptomatic ones.