Studies on Plasmodium falciparum Infection Rates among Patients Attending General Hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria

Plasmodium falciparum is the most virulent and prevalent malaria parasite in Nigeria .This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria infection among patients at General Hospitals in Benue State. A total of 1200 patients were examined in this study. Blood samples were collected by finger prick onto clean slides and into the round sample well of PfRDTs. Thick and thin blood films were prepared for microscopic examination. The overall prevalence of malaria infection was 34.8%. A questionnaire was used to determine some demographic factors. Prevalence of malaria in relation to residence, rural area recorded higher prevalence of 42.2% than urban area with prevalence of 23.8%. Chi square analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in prevalence in relation to residence. The Prevalence of malaria in relation to age groups, age between 6-10 and 7-15 recorded higher infection rate of 54.5% and 51.5% respectively. While, age group >46 recorded 17.5%. The female patients 36.2% were more infected than the males 33.1%.Patients that had informal education recorded higher prevalence rate of 89.2% and those that are farmers had 57.9%. Chi square analysis however showed that the difference was significant (p < 0.05). A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between patients that used insecticide spray alone as malaria preventive methods (70.1%) compared to patients that used combined methods of prevention (17.2%). Malaria still remains prevalent among patients in Benue State, Nigeria.