PREVALENCE OF PARASITAEMIA WITH AGE – MALARIA

Fifty cord blood samples from the umbilical cord of neonates were used for the evaluation of parasitaemia. The samples showed positive smear for malaria with a prevalence of 60.0%.

The result from table 1 shows that women within the age group of 30-39 has the highest level of parasitaemia (36%). Chi-square analysis of the distribution of parasitaemia on cord blood in relation to trimester and age show that parasitaemia is dependent on both trimester (p>0.05) age group  (p>0.05).

This means that the degree of parasitic infection, among other factors, is affected by both trimester and age group of the individual. 

Age group	P (%	No p (%)
20-29	11 (22)	13 (26)
30 – 39	18 (36)	5 (10)
≥ 40	1 (2)	2 (4)
Total	30 (60)	20 (40)

P = parasitaemia, No p= No parasitaemia

The table above showed that the overall prevalence of parasitaemia is 60% (30/50). Also the highest prevalence is seen in women of age group 30-39.

Table 2c:  Result of Chi square analysis of parasitaemia distribution based on age group.

AGE	P	NP	DF	LS	X2cal	X2tab	Decision
20 – 29	11	13				p>0.05
30 – 39	17	6					Null hypothesis is rejected
< 40	1	2
			2	P=0.05	4.60

Table 3c

Result of chi-square analysis of parasitaemia distribution in relation to trimester

Trimester	P	NP	DF	LS	X2cal	X2  tab	Decision
1st	10	6
2nd	12	9					Null hypothesis is rejected
3rd	8	5
			2	P=0.05	0.126

Df = Degree of freedom, Ls = level of significance, x² cal = chi square calculated x² tab = chi square tabulated. P = parasite

NP = No parasite

The  table  above indicates  that the calculated degree of freedom is  2, the level of significance  used is  0.05 , the  calculated chi square with the degree of freedom as  2 and  probability level at  0.05  is  0.126 while the  critical value of x2 (x2tab)  is P>O.05