Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Students of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State

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1 Research Article imepub Journals DOI: / British Journal of Research Vol.4.1:5 Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among an Stuents of Feeral University of Technology, Akure, Ono State Aepeju IS * Department of Biology, Feeral University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria * Corresponing author: Aepeju I, Department of Biology, Feeral University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria, Tel: ; E- mail: aepejuolayemi@yahoo.com Receive Date: February 09, ; Accepte Date: March 10, ; Publishe Date: March 15, Copyright: Aepeju IS. This is an open-access article istribute uner the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricte use, istribution, an reprouction in any meium, provie the original author an source are creite. Citation: Aepeju IS. Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among an Stuents of Feeral University of Technology, Akure, Ono State. Br J Res, 4: 5. Abstract This stuy was carrie out to etermine the prevalence of malaria parasites infection among asymptomatic an symptomatic stuents of the Feeral University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. A total of 300 stuents (150 each for the two categories of stuents), 155(51.67%) males an 145(48.33%) females; age range: <20-30 years were recruite for the stuy after informe consent. Both thick an thin films were mae an staine using parasitological stanar proceures after collection of bloo samples from the stuents. Analysis of the result showe that 241(80.33%) of the subjects ha malaria parasites, 80(53.3%) an 141(94.0%) prevalence for both categories respectively. Highest prevalence (59.0%) an (94.4%) was recore among the males than the females (46.3%) an (93.6%) respectively for asymptomatic an symptomatic stuents. Age istribution showe the highest prevalence among subjects of age range <20 years in the two categories (68.4% an 100%) while the least prevalence of 42.9%, 76.9% an 48.3% were recore among subjects of age range Accoring to Boy inex mass, the result showe that 55.0% of the infection occurre among unerweight an 96.3% for normal weight for asymptomatic an symptomatic subjects with a significant ifference (p=0.01). On the use of Insecticie Treate Net for both categories of stuents, those using nets ha the higher prevalence of malaria infection 61.9% an 94.4% respectively. malaria was a risk factor among the stuents therefore measures to reuce the prevalence are avocate. Keywors: ; ; Malaria parasite; Prevalence; Stuents Introuction Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection of human an animals cause by genus Plasmoium. Over 2 million febrile episoes an one million eaths are cause by malaria in sub-saharan Africa [1]. Five species of Plasmoium can infect an transmit malaria to humans an majority of eath are cause by P falciparum, P vivax, P ovale, P malaria an P knowlesi [2]. Plasmoium infection remains an important cause of mortality an morbiity in many parts of the worl an it coul have averse effect on the population, both on health an socioeconomic attitues [3]. The WHO reports that, there are about million inciences of malaria causing 2-3 million eaths each year in the tropical an subtropical regions of the worl. About 90% of these eaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. This coul be as a result of P. falciparum which is the most angerous of the four parasites being the main cause of infections in this region an also the main malaria transmitting vector (Anopheles gambiae) being sprea wiely an very ifficult to control [4]. Regarless of the soaring malaria incience in enemic regions, a certain group of iniviuals seem to have more immunity to malaria than others. This coul be accounte by several factors incluing haemoglobin vari- ants, ABO bloo group system an enzyme action, among others [5]. Infection with Plasmoium falciparum has a wie spectrum of manifestations that are roughly classifie into three clinical groups: asymptomatic infection, mil malaria an severe malaria. In malaria enemic areas, a large proportion of the populace harbour parasites without presenting signs of clinical malaria an are consiere asymptomatic cases [6]. carriers o not usually seek treatment for their infection an therefore constitute a reservoir of parasites available for transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes [7]. They were of the opinion that it may represent a moe of entry to symptomatic malaria, as well as transmission, especially in young chilren [8]. Despite recent progress leaing to the reuction of malaria morbiity an mortality, there are both empirical an theoretical evience that the current suite of interventions is insufficient to eliminate malaria from those areas in Sub-Saharan Africa with high levels of malaria transmission. In orer to achieve reuce morbiity an mortality resulting from malaria, the infection must be recognize quickly so that patients are treate promptly. The clinical iagnosis of malaria is usually base on the patient's symptoms, which inclue fever, chills, sweats, heaaches, muscle pains, nausea, an vomiting, which Uner License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License This article is available from: 1

2 Vol.4.1:5 are also associate with other iseases. This makes early iagnosis ifficult, leaing to elays in the commencement of treatment [9]. The Worl Health Organization (WHO) recommens that the treatment of malaria shoul be base on a laboratory-confirme iagnosis, with the exception of chilren less than 5 years of age in areas of high transmission in whom treatment may be provie on the basis of a clinical iagnosis. However, the high prevalence of asymptomatic infections an lack of resources such as microscopes an traine microscopists in highly enemic areas have le peripheral health facilities to use "presumptive treatment." Chilren who suffer from a fever that oes not have any obvious cause are presume to have malaria an are treate for that isease. Though this allows the rapi treatment of a potentially fatal isease, it can lea to incorrect iagnoses an unnecessary use of antimalarial rugs [10]. Data Analysis Data obtaine were analyse using Chi square an Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results A total of 221(73.7%) were infecte with malaria parasite out of the 300 stuents sample. From the 150 subjects sample, 80 (53.3%) were positive for malaria parasite while 141 (94.0%) were positive for the stuents (Figure 1). Materials an Methos Stuy Area The stuy was carrie out at the Health centre of the Feeral University of Technology, Akure. Akure, the capital city of Ono State, South Western Nigeria. It is locate on Longitue an Latitue with two istinct seasons, namely ry an wet seasons. The temperature ranges between 210c- 280C an the vegetation is tropical rainforest. Stuy Population Three Hunre (300) stuents of the University who were the Health center attenees were recruite for this stuy between February to September, 2015.They consiste of 155 males an 145 females with their age ranging from 16 to 30 years. The weight an height of each participant was measure an use to etermine the boy mass inex (BMI). The BMI was use to categorize each stuent into unerweight (<18kg/m 2 ), normal weight ( kg/m 2 ) an overweight (> 25kg/m 2 ) [11]. Ethical Clearance Approval for the stuy was given by the ethical committee of the University an the Chief Meical Director of the Health Centre. Informe consent of iniviual stuent was obtaine an were aske orally if they were using insecticie treate net (ITN) with affirmative Yes or before the collection of specimen. Specimen Collection an Processing 5 millilitres of bloo was collecte from each stuent an ispense into ethylene iamine tetra acetic aci (EDTA) bottle an mixe. Plasmoium infection was iagnose through the examination of a Giemsa staine thick bloo film. Thick bloo films mae from each of the bloo sample an air rie. Slies were staine with 3% Giemsa stain for 30 minutes, rinse with tap water an allowe to ry. Slies were examine for malaria parasites by microscope with an oil immersion objective lens. Figure 1: Percentage Distribution of asymptomatic an symptomatic malaria. The prevalence of infection in relation to gener shows that for asymptomatic an symptomatic subjects males 49 (59.0%) an 68(94.4%) were more infecte than the females 31(46.3%) an 73(93.6%) respectively. However there was no significant ifference ( 0.62) between the sex of the asymptomatic an symptomatic stuents (Table 1). Table 1: Frequency an Distribution of asymptomatic an symptomatic malaria in relation to Gener. Gen er Gen er Male 83 49(59.0) Male 72 68(94.4) Femal e 67 31(46.3) Femal e 78 73(93.6) Table 2 shows the prevalence of infection in relation to age, age group <20 recore the highest positive cases (68.4%) while the least was in age group for asymptomatic stuents. Among the symptomatic stuents, almost all the age groups recore high prevalence while age group also recore 2 This article is available from:

3 Vol.4.1:5 the least. Between the two groups, there was no significant ifference in the age groups ( 0.60). Table 2: Frequency an Distribution of asymptomatic an symptomatic malaria in relation to Age. Age < (68.4) 30 30(100) (50.0) 44 42(95.4) (44.8) 31 30(96.8) (42.9) 26 20(76.9) (60.0) 13 13(100) 0.60 while 52.7% sai no. The stuents using ITN recore higher prevalence (94.4%) against (93.7%) of those not using ITN. There was no significant ifference ( 0.86) (Table 4). Table 4: Relationship between usage of Insecticie Treate Net an an Malaria. Respon se e Respo nse e Yes 63 39(61.9) Yes 71 67(94.4) 87 41(47.1) 79 74(93.7) > (100) 6 6(100) Total Table 3 shows that the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among stuents who were overweight (40%) was lower than those for normal weight (53.7%) an unerweight (55.5%) an there was no significant ifference ( 0.87). For symptomatic malaria subjects, normal weight stuents (96.3%) were more than the overweight (75.0%). Also, there was no significant ifference ( 0.94). However, there was a significant ifference between the boy mass inex of asymptomatic an symptomatic stuents ( 0.01). Table 3: The Effects of Boy mass inex on an Malaria. Weight. e Uner weight 60 33(55.0) rmal weight 80 43(53.8) Over weight 10 4(40.0). Weight. e. Uner weight 66 61(43.3) rmal weight 80 77(96.3) Over weight 4 3(75.0) Discussion The istribution an efficiency of the insect vectors, climatic an environmental factors, acquire immunity an the behavior of the human population are some of the variables in malaria infection [12]. A prevalence of 80.3% of both asymptomatic an symptomatic malaria among the stuents was observe in the stuy. In a similar stuy conucte among first year stuents of Nnami Azikiwe University, Awka, Southeastern Nigeria, a prevalence of 80.0% was reporte [13]. These finings further confirm the enemicity of this infection even among the stuents, population. Despite the avances in the unerstaning of the pathogenic an clinical aspects of malaria, it is not well known why some people tolerate malaria infection with few or no symptoms whereas others are severely affecte [14]. In this stuy, 53.3% of the150 stuents of the Feeral University of Technology, Akure who were teste ha malaria parasites yet they are asymptomatic. The prevalence recore in asymptomatic subjects is higher than the previous results of 50.5% an 33.5% in Ipogun, Ono State an Benin City respectively [12,15]. Bites of the same mosquito species or the same strain of plasmoium can create more chance of infection. The result also shows a higher prevalence (59.0%) an (94.4%) among the male stuents than the female stuents with prevalence of 42.9% an 93.6% respectively in both asymptomatic an symptomatic stuents, although there was no significant ifference (p>0.05). The higher prevalence (59.0%) observe for the asymptomatic males in this stuy is in isagreement with finings of [13,16] but in agreement with the finings of [17-19] who foun higher prevalence among the males than the females. However, there appears to be no scientific evience linking malaria prevalence to gener [20]. The highest prevalence of malaria for the two categories was Out of the 150 asymptomatic stuents, 42.0% were using in age group <20 years while the least prevalence was among insecticie treate net (ITN) while 58.0% were not using, but the age group years. This result agrees with the fining of [21] former were more positive (61.9%) against the latter (47.1%) to that parasite ensity falls as age increases suggesting ageepenent immunity to Plasmoium among aults. malaria. From 150 symptomatic subjects, 47.3% sai yes to ITN Uner License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 3

4 Vol.4.1:5 In this stuy, Boy Inex Mass (BIM) i not significantly (P=0.87) affect the prevalence of asymptomatic an symptomatic (P=0.94). However, there is a significant ifference (P= 0.01) between BIM in the two categories of stuents. Excess weight contributes to several health relate complications which may inclue iabetes, cancers, kiney isease an hypertension [11]. It is inicate that obesity resulte in ecrease immune counts an functions [22]. The use of Insecticie Treate Nets (ITNs) i not affect the prevalence of both types of malaria. For asymptomatic stuents using ITNs, 39 (61.9%) were positive for malaria parasites while for symptomatic stuents, 67 (94.4%) were also positive. There was no significant ifference (p> 0.05). Low, infrequent an improper use of ITNs in a malaria enemic community may have contribute to its less efficacy in this stuy as previously reporte by [23, 24]. Detection of the parasite in asymptomatic subjects coul be as a result of acquire immunity in the subjects ue to repeate exposure to mosquito bites. The subjects inclue in this stuy are stuents who must have come from ifferent environments ranging from urban to rural areas an ifferent backgroun an status. Conclusion The results of this stuy suggest that fever is not always inicative of the presence of malaria parasite an that subjects with asymptomatic infection must be regare as a significant reservoir of transmissible malaria parasites within the stuy environment. It is important to note that for malaria control measures to be effective, both asymptomatic an symptomatic iniviuals must be inclue in the management strategies. Acknowlegement The author appreciates the Chief Meical Director an the Technologists of the Feeral University of Technology Health Centre, Akure an also the stuents for their cooperation an participation in this stuy. References 1. Worl Health Organization (2013) Malaria Vector species complexes an Intraspecific Variation: Relevance for malaria control. TDR/Fielmal-SWG. 2. Coluzzi M (2013) Malaria an the Afrotropical Ecosystem, Impact of Man-mae Environmental changes. Parasitogia 11: Zoghi S, Mehrizi AA, Raeisi A, Haghoost AA, Turki H, et al. (2012) Survey of asymptomatic malaria cases in low transmission settings of Iran uner elimination programme. Malaria Journal, 11: , Worl Health Organization (2003) The African Malaria Report. Whoint/features. 5. Otajevwo FD (2013) Prevalence of Malaria Parasitaemia an Its Association with ABO Bloo Grouping among Stuents of Igbineion University Okaa, Nigeria. British Journal of Meicine & Meical Research 3: Mombo LE, Ntoumi F, Bisseye C, Ossari S, Lu CY, et al. (2003) Human genetic polymorphisms an asymptomatic Plasmoium falciparum malaria in Gabonese school chilren. American Journal of Tropical Meicine an Hygiene 68: Kimbi HK, Keka FC, Nyabeyeu HN, Ajeagah HU, Tonga CF (2012) An Upate of Falciparum Malaria in School Chilren in Muca, Southwest Cameroon. Journal of Bacteriology an Parasitology 3: Henning L, Schellenberg D, Smith T, Henning D, Alonso P (2004) A prospective stuy of Plasmoium falciparum multiplicity of infection an morbiity in Tanzanian chilren. Transaction of the Royal Society of Tropical Meicine an Hygiene 98: Linblae KA, Steinhar T, Samnels A, Kachur SP, Slutsker L (2013) The silent Threat: parasiteamia an malaria transmission. Expert Re. Infect Ther 11: Brejman JG (2001) The ears of Hippopotamus: Manifestations, eterminants an estimates of malaria buren. Am J Trop Me Hyg 64: Crum-Cianflone NF, Roeiger M, Eberly LE, Ganesan A, Weintrob A, et al. (2011) Impact of weight on immune cell count among HIV-infecte persons. Clinical an Vaccine Immunology 18: Akinbo FO, Aetitun AJ, Aruomaren AI, Okaka CE (2013) Malaria Infection an Anaemia among Seconary School Chilren in Ipogun, Ono State, Nigeria. Nig J Life Sc 3: Ibekwe AC, Okonko IO, Onunkwo AI, Ogun AA, Ueze AO (2009) Comparative Prevalence Level of Plasmoium in freshmen (First Year Stuents) of Nnami Azikiwe University in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 5: Azeez OM, Raji Y (2007) Family experience of ill health characteristics uring rainy seasons. Sci Focus 12: Osazuwa F, Oguntae MA (2010) Contribution of malnutrition an malaria to anaemia chilren in rural communities of Eo State, Nigeria. rth American Journal of Meical Sciences 2: Okonko IO, Soleye FA, Amusan TA (2009) Prevalence of malaria plasmoium in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 5: , Eke RA, Chigbu LN, Nwachukwu W (2006) High Prevalence of Plasmoium Infection in a suburb of Aba Town, Nigeria. Annals of African Meicine 5: Epii TT, Nwani CD, Ugorji NP (2008) Prevalence of Malaria in Bloo Donors in Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria. Scientific Research an Essay 3: Ilozumba PCO, Uzozie CR (2009) Prevalence of Malaria Parasitaemia an its Association with ABO Bloo Group in Ooakpu Area of Onitsha South Local Government Area, 4 This article is available from:

5 Vol.4.1:5 Anambra State, Nigeria. Nigerian Annals of Natural Sciences 8: Ueze AO, Nwokocha EJ, Okerentugba PO, Anibijuwon II, Okonko IO (2013) Plasmoium parasitaemia in Ilorin, rth Central, Nigeria. Nat Sci 11: Munyekenye OG Githeko AK, Zhou G, Mushinzimana E, Minakawa N, et al. (2005) Plasmoium falciparum spatial analysis, western Kenya highlans. Emerging Infectious Diseases 11: Tanaka SI, Isoa F, Ishihara Y, Kimura M, Yamakawa TT (2001) lymphopaenia in relation to boy mass inex an TNF in human obesity: aequate weight reuction can be corrective. Clinical Enocrinology 54: Olaeine BH, Omoregie R, Olley M, Anunibe JA, Onifae AA et al. (2012) Malaria an Anaemia amongchilren in low resource setting in Nigeria. Iranian Journal of Parasitology 7: Worl Health Organization (2010) Malaria. WHO Fact Sheet. 94, WHO Meia centre, Geneva. Uner License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License 5

Malaria, Anaemia and HIV Status of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in a Nigerian Rural Community

Malaria, Anaemia and HIV Status of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in a Nigerian Rural Community ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 7 (2015) pp. 787-793 http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article Malaria, and of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in a Nigerian Rural Community Airueghionmon, Uyi-Ekpen