ABSTRACT
Studies on highland malaria have been spurred by reports of rising incidence of the infection at altitudes where the malaria vector was not previously found. Preliminary studies were carried out in Obudu Cattle Ranch communities located at an altitude of 1,585 meters above sea level in the heart of the tropical rainforest of Cross River State of Nigeria; to determine the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of malaria. The study methodology included the use of questionnaires and secondary data. A four-year prevalence study using malaria data from 2008 to 2011 revealed high transmission rate of malaria on the highlands, with 324 reported cases and a high and fluctuating prevalence rates ranging from 39.61/1000 in 2008 to 68.87/1000 in 2009; and 82.29/1000 in 2010 to 49.1/1000 in 2011. Analysis of seasonal incidence showed higher incidence (68.5%) in the wet season with temperature range of 4°C – 10°C than the dry season with temperature range of 26°C – 32°C. Malaria incidence was significantly related with season and sex (P < 0.05). Children between the ages of 5 and 14 years were the most affected (33.64%); the under-fives constituted 24.69% while the aged, over 60 years of age, constituted 4.62% of total population infected. The study recorded high level of ignorance of disease etiology (62.5%); and negative attitude and practice of malaria treatment, with high preference for self medication (37.5%) and traditional medicine (12.5%). While the study has documented prevalence of mountain malaria in the region, it has set the stage for in-depth inquiry into the role of climate change on malaria incidence and its implications to public health in Nigeria’s most valued mountain resort.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The study was aimed at elucidating the prevalence and intensity of Mansonella perstans microfilaraemia in the Emohua Local Government Area, Nigeria, and ascertaining the abundance, circadian, and the annual biting patterns of the Culicoides vector. Methods: Thick smear of 50 μl finger-prick blood stained with Giemsa was examined microscopically in a cross-sectional study. Vector landing collection on human bait was employed in a longitudinal study of the vector biting patterns, carried out between July 2005 and August 2006. Results: Of 1486 individuals examined, 11.2% of both males and females were positive for M. perstans microfilaraemia. Microfilaraemia appeared early in life. The overall geometric mean intensity among those with positive microfilaraemia was 117 mf/ml (121 mf/ml for males and 113 mf/ml for females). The differences in geometric mean intensity between different age groups were statistically significant (one-way analysis of variance; p <0.05), being highest in the oldest age group (266 mf/ml). A total of 1183 female Culicoides sp were caught from September 2005 to August 2006. The abundance of Culicoides sp was seasonal. The circadian biting activity had a broad peak between 0700 and 1200 hrs. The monthly biting rates ranged from zero bite per person per month in January 2006 to 1151 bites per person per month in June 2006. The annual biting rate was 7382 bites per person per year. Conclusion: Majority of those with positive microfilaraemia were poor socioeconomically, underscoring the need for health education and application of effective control measures against Culicoides biting midges in Emohua.