RESULTS OF RESEARCH IN MALARIA IN EBONYI STATE – NIGERIA

Table 1: The Distribution of P. falciparum   among Blood Donors Tested

Age Range (Yrs)	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
18 – 22	98	13	13.26	0.45
23 – 27	250	61	24.40	13.89
28 – 32	224	34	15.19	0.065
33 – 37	212	28	13.21	1.073
38 – 42	141	14	9.93	3.67
43 – 47	75	8	10.66	1.49
Total	1000	158	15.8	20.63

P<0.05

Table 2 represents the distribution of Plasmodium with respect to sex and location of the donors examined. Male donors (914) were more involved than females (86). Higher prevalence of 16.19 percent was observed among the males

while the females recorded a lower prevalence of 11.63%. No significant statistical relationship exists between sex and the occurrence of the parasite among blood donors (P> 0.05). In terms of location, donors from urban areas (612) were more involved in the study. Of 388 donors from rural areas, 83 (21.39%) presented with Plasmodium parasitemia. Urban dwellers had the least prevalence (12.25%) of parasitemia.  Significant statistical relationship was shown between location and parasitemia among the donors. (P< O.O5)

Table 2: The distribution of P. falciparum with respect to Sex and Location among Blood Donors Examined

         

Social demographic factors	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
Sex
Male	914	148	16.19
Female	86	10	11.63	1.23
Total	1000	158	15.8
Location
Rural	388	83	21.39
Urban	612	75	12.25	14.9
Total	1000	158	15.8

      (P>0.05  for sex;    P<0.05  for location)

Table 3 represents the occupational distribution of Plasmodium among blood donors investigated. The number of Artisans who took part in the study (176) was higher than that of other occupational categories. Farmers had the highest prevalence (32.41%) followed by civil servants (15.65%). The clergy participated less and had the least prevalence (12.0%) of parasitemia. There was significant statistical relationship between occupation and the parasite occurrence among blood donors. (P<0.05). 

Table 3:   Distribution of P. falciparum occurrence among Blood Donors with respect to occupation Investigated

Occupation	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
Farmers	108	35	32.41	22.39
Artisans	176	26	14.77	0.14
Civil Servants	174	23	15.65	0.87
Traders	164	22	13.41	0.70
Drivers	127	16	12.60	0.98
Students	134	20	14.93	0.08
Applicants	92	13	14.13	0.19
Clergy	25	3	12.00	0.27
Total	1000	158	15.8	26.62

P<0.05

Table 4 shows the relationship between the use of control measures (insecticide treated nets and insecticides) and Plasmodium occurrence among blood donors studied. Out of the 1000 donors screened, 5, 180, 136 and 679 reported “Always”, “Occasional”, “Rare” and “None” use of insecticide treated mosquito nets respectively. The highest prevalence of parasitemia (18.26%) was reported among “None” users. Statistical significant relationship exist between the use of insecticide treated nets an
d parasitemia (P<0.05). Concerning the use of insecticides, 758 individuals reported none use of it and the prevalence of 16.23% of Plasmodium parasitemia were reported among these donors. No donor reported using insecticide always. There was no statistical significant relationship between Plasmodium occurrence among blood donors and the use of insecticides. (P>0.05)

Table 4:  The distribution of P. falciparum with respect to the frequency of use of insecticides (I) and insecticide treated nets (ITN) among blood donors studied.

         

Frequency Use of Control Measures	Number Tested		Number Positive		Percentage Positive		X2
	I	ITN	I	ITN	I	ITN	I	ITN
Always	2	5	–	–	–	–	0.38	0.94
Occasionally	68	180	7	21	10.29	11.67	1.55	2,32
Rarely	172	136	28	13	16.28	9.56	0.03	3.98
Not at all	788	679	123	124	16.23	18.26	0.10	3.09
Total	1000	1000	158	158	15.8	15.8	2.06	10.33

(P>0.05  for I ;     P<0.05  for ITN)

Keys: I = Insecticides; and  ITN = Insecticide Treated Nets

Table 5 shows the relationship between the use of prophylactic and therapeutic antimalarials and the occurrence of Plasmodium among blood donors examined.  Out of 493 that reported none use of antimalarial prophylaxis, 93 (18.86%) presented with parasitemia. No donor reported the monthly use of this prophylaxis. Significant relationship (P<0.05) exist between the use of antimalarial prophylaxis and Plasmodium parasitemia. In terms of the form of therapeutic antimalarials used, Out of 480 and 75 donors that reported use of single therapy and no formalized therapy respectively, 93 (20.2%) and 19 (25.33%) presented with parasitemia. The least prevalence (4.72%) was reported among individuals that use combination therapy as the only form of malaria treatment. Statistically, parasitemia was shown to be dependent on the form of antimalarial therapy used by the donors (P<0.05).

Table 5:   The distribution of P. falciparum with respect to the frequency of

  use of antimalarial prophylaxis and the form of antimalarial   therapy among   blood donors researched on

Prophylactic and Therapeutic factors Examined	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
Frequency of Use of  antimalaria prophylaxis
Monthly	–	–	–	–
Quarterly	59	3	5.08	5.10
Annually	52	9	17.31	0.09
Only when Symptoms Appear	396	53	13.38	1.74
Not at all	493	93	18.86	3.48
Total	1000	158	15.8	10.41
Form of antimalarial therapy
ST	480	97	20.21	7.01
ACT	212	10	4.72	19.57
SCT	233	32	13.73	0.73
NFT	75	19	25.33	5.12
Total	1000	158	15.8	32.46

          (P<0.05 for both prophylactic and therapeutic factors)

Keys:  ST = Single Therapy; ACT = Artemisinin based Combination Therapy

 SCT = Single and Combination Therapy; NFT = No Formalized Therapy

Table 6 shows the relationship between parasitemia among blood donors and different hospitals assayed. Out of the four hospitals used for this study, the prevalence of 17.65% and 11.73% were reported among donors from EBSUTH and Mile-4 hospital respectively. The highest prevalence of parasitemia was reported at EBSUTH. Statistically, there was no relationship between Plasmodium. Occurrence and the hospitals used for the study (P>0.05).

Table 6:   The prevalence of P. falciparum among blood donors with

Reference to hospitals visited

         

Hospitals	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
EBSUTH	340	60	17.65	0.87
FMC	313	48	15.34	0.05
MILE 4	162	19	11.73	2.02
MMH	185	31	16.76	0.13
Total	1000	158	15.8	3.07

P>0.05

Table 7 represents the relationship between the mode of blood donation and occurrence of Plasmodium among the donors tested. Commercial donors constituted greater part of the population (679) and also had the highest prevalence (17.82%). The least prevalence (8.60%) was reported among volunteer donors. Statistical significant relationship exists between parasitemia and the mode of blood donation in Ebonyi state (P<0.05).

Table 7: The relationship between the mode of blood donation and the  occurrence of Plasmodium  among Blood Donors Tested.

Mode of Blood Donation	Number Tested	Number Positive	Percentage Positive	X2
Commercial	679	121	17.82	2.83
Voluntary	93	8	8.60	3.622
Family
Replacement	228	29	12.71	1.62
Total	1000	158	15.8	7.332

P<0.05