Survey of Malaria Infection among In-Patients at Federal Medical Center Keffi, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria remains a major health concern in Nigeria. Despite efforts made in controlling the rate of infection, several people are still at risk of this parasitic infection. This study is aimed at surveying malaria infection among in-patients at Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nasarawa State between the period of August 2023 to August 2024. Five milliltres (5mls) of blood was collected from the patient using a well labeled ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid tubes and malaria parasites were examined using Giemsa stained microscopy. Out of the 400 blood samples collected, 142 (35.5%) were positive for malaria infection. Females had higher prevalence 95 (66.6%) than the males 47 (33.0%), there was signifiacnt diffence between males and females variable (p>0.05). Age groups 6–10, 11–20 and 3–40 had the highest prevalence of 26 (18.3%), 26 (18.3%) and 25 (17.6%) while that of 41–50 had the least infection 13 (9.1%). With respect to occupation, civil servants are more prone to the infection 29 (20.4%) followed by traders 27 (19.0%), the least infected were the house wives 14 (9.8%). Patients who hails from rural areas had higher rate of infection 92 (64.7) than those from the urban settings 50 (35.3%). With respect to their educational background,  the non educated had higher rate 98 (69.0%) of infection than the educated ones 44 (30.9%). An overall prevalence of 35.5% was observed among in-patients in the study area. This prevalence calls for concern and warrants urgent attention for the implementation of effective preventive and control strategies within the metropolis and satellite towns receiving medical care at the center.