Prevalence of Malaria Parasites among Children from 1 – 15 Years of Age at Bishop Shanahan Hospital Nsukka Enugu State, Nigeria

Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of malaria parasites in children aged 1-15 years at Bishop Shanahan Hospital in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Study Design: The study was a random survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Bishop Shanahan Hospital in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria between April and August, 2023.

Methodology: 200 respondents were chosen by a random survey method that used both microscopy and RDT. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed which was used to collect data on demographics such as gender and age of the children.

Results: Microscopy testing revealed that parasitaemia affected 49.0% of the youngsters (i.e. 26.0% + 23.0% ++) while RDT results showed that 54.0% of the children were positive. The prevalence of malaria parasites by RDT and microscopy showed a substantial correlation (P=.00). Male and female children who underwent RDT tested positive in 53.2% and 55.1%, respectively. Additionally, employing microscopy, malaria parasites were detected in 47.7% male and 50.5% female children. Using RDT and microscopy, the prevalence of malaria parasites in children and gender were not substantially correlated (P>.05). 55.9% children between the ages of 1-5 tested positive for RDT, compared to 51.5% of children between 6-10 and 45.5% of children between 11-15. As a result, 51.7% children under the age of 1-5, 45.5% children between the ages of 6-10, and 36.3% of children between the ages of 11-15 had positive microscopy results. Using RDT and microscopy, the prevalence of the malaria parasite in children showed no age-related differences (P>.05).

Conclusion: The studied area has a high prevalence of malaria parasite infection. The control, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria infection in children under the age of five was advised as the main emphasis of targeted interventions.