Study on the burden of Plasmodium falciparum infection, among the patients attending General Hospital Maiyama, Kebbi state
Keywords:
Plasmodium falciparum, malaria prevalence, age-related differences, Kebbi state, NigeriaAbstract
Plasmodium falciparum continues to pose a significant health challenge in tropical regions. This study investigates the burden of P. falciparum infection and distribution of malarial infection with respect to age and sex among patients at General Hospital Maiyama, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Methods: Conducted from January to April 2024, this cross-sectional study included 400 patients with malaria symptoms. Data on malaria prevalence were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 to explore age-related variations.
Results: Malaria prevalence was highest in the 0-10 age group (15.2%), decreasing with age: 11-20 years (12.8%), 21-30 years (2.5%), 31-40 years (1.8%), and >40 years (3.5%). Overall prevalence was 35.8%, with higher rates in females (21.5%) compared to males (14.2%).
Conclusion: The study reveals significant age-related differences in malaria burden. Younger patients have higher malaria prevalence and more pronounced inflammatory responses. Tailored prevention and treatment strategies addressing these age-specific variations are recommended to improve malaria control.
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