Prevalence, Attitude and Perception about Malaria in a Rural Setting in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is a global public health problem particularly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is a mosquito-borne disease caused by parasitic protozoans called Plasmodium. It is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles gambiea mosquito that harbours the sporozoites of a protozoan parasite associated and it is often associated with intermittent and remittent fever. This study was carried out from June to August, 2015 in Rumuekpe Community located in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. A well structured questionnaire was randomly distributed to marked households to investigate  people’s knowledge, attitudes and perception towards malaria treatment. Out of 200 volunteers  who participated in the the exercise only 154 subjects willingly allowed  blood sample collection for further study. Out of which 53 were males and 101 were females. Blood samples were collected by vene-puncture; thin and thick films were prepared, stained and examined microscopically. Rapid diagnostic test kit technique was also used for comparism. Out of 154 blood samples screened 134 (87%) were positive for malaria. Microscopy detected more malaria infection (59.1%) than RDT technique (54%) although the difference was not statistically significant  (p > 0.05). The results showed that there was no association between age, gender and  the prevalence of Plasmodium infection in this study. The awareness level of the use of insecticide- treated bed nets, insecticide spray among the Rumuekpe community was very poor. The major factors influencing the transmission of malaria parasite here include; poverty, ignorance, socio-cultural and background. Aggressive health enlightenment campaigns is advocated.