Patterns of Plasmodium falciparum among Settled Fulani Pastoralists in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Aims: To establish the current status and control management of malaria infection among Fulani Pastoralists in their various bush encampments in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross –sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Six bush encampments in Rivers State, Nigeria, between November 2009 and January 2011. Methodology: Thick and thin blood films were made and stained using parasitological standard procedures to identify malaria parasites. Packed cell volume estimation was determined with the use of hematocrit centrifuge and microhematocrit reader. Malaria control measures and personal data were collected through questionnaires. Data was analyzed statistically using ANOVA to test for significance and a P- value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Plasmodium falciparum was the only species of malaria parasite identified in the sampled group. Overall prevalence showed that 464 (78.2%) of the sampled Fulani Pastoralists were infected with malaria infection. Male herdsmen were more infected 79.9% than females 75.4% (p<0.05). prevalence rates of 79.2%, 80.2%, 81.8% and 79.8% were observed among the age group 1-10,11-20, 21-30 and 31-40 respectively (P>0.05). A total of 216 (46.6%) of the infected pastoralists had moderate parasite density and was higher among males. Low Packed cell volume (PCV) in the population was 18.4% and was higher among the age group 21-30 years. Data revealed that 10.5% of the examined used insecticide treated nets however, the use of mosquito coil and burning of medicinal leaves were the major preventive measures in the sampled population. Conclusion: Educating the herdsmen on malaria infection, prevention and control through environmental management as well as ensuring access to basic health care such as free anti-malaria drugs and long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (IITN) which is the goal of malaria control programme will help to alleviate malaria infection among this group.

Effectiveness and Compliance of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) on Malaria Parasitemia among Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Clinics in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness and compliance of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) on malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Rivers State, Nigeria, between April and September 2011. Methodology: Thick and thin blood films were made and stained using parasitological standard procedures to identify malaria parasites. Questionnaires were distributed to collect personal data of the pregnant women examined. Data gotten was analyzed with Chi-square test of significance. Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were examined, 317(79%) used LLINs with 29(9.1%) positive for malaria parasites while 83(21%) did not use LLINs with 75(90.4%) positive for malaria parasites (P<0.05). Pregnant women in their first, second and third trimesters that used LLINs had prevalence rates of 5.3%, 12.2% and 11.5% respectively while those that did not use LLINs had prevalence rates of 89.1%, 94.1% and 90.9% respectively (P<0.05). Primigraviidae, secundigraviidae and multiparous women who used LLINs had prevalence rates of 10.3%, 8.7% and 5.9% while those who did not use LLINs had prevalence rates of 95.8%, 89.5% and 75% respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: The usage of LLINs in reducing malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women was statistically significant (P<0.05) irrespective of parity and gestation period.

Prevalence of Malaria Parasite Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of malaria parasites among some pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Five healthcare centres in Rivers State, Nigeria, between April and September 2011. Methodology: Peripheral blood samples were collected using venous procedure and the presence of malaria parasites was observed microscopically on thick and thin blood smears prepared from each sample. Personal data were collected through questionnaires and the general results gotten during this study were analyzed statistically using two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: The only species of malaria parasite identified in this study was Plasmodium falciparum. A total of 104 (26%) pregnant women were infected with P. falciparum in this study. Pregnant women in their first, second and third trimesters had prevalence rates of 27%, 27.3% and 21.8% respectively (P<0.05). Prevalence rates for primigraviidae, secundigraviidae and multiparous women were 26.1%, 31.5% and 20% respectively (P<0.05). prevalence rates of 26.9%, 27.8% and 21.5% were observed in pregnant women between the ages of 11-20, 21-30 and 31-40 respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Malaria still needs to be given more attention due to its negative impact on pregnant women and their unborn children.